That is an installment in a collection of posts trying again on present vehicles that we really feel deserved a bit extra consideration than they received. When you’ve got a suggestion for a Forgotten Idea subject, please shoot us a line or go away a remark beneath.
AMC AM Van
First Seen: 1977 AMC “Idea 80” Present
Description: Small, sporty van
Gross sales Pitch: “Go-anywhere four-wheel-drive car with glorious potential for leisure and utility use along with household transportation.”
Extra Forgotten Ideas
AM Van Idea
Particulars:
One among seven idea autos featured by American Motors as a part of its Idea 80 tour, the AM Van Idea was maybe probably the most daring design on show. Affected by a new-product drought, AMC was eager to share its concept-car assortment with media—and infrequently the general public—through the tour’s seven-city run.
The idea was a compact 2-door van that includes a turbocharged engine and 4WD—each of which have been nonetheless fairly novel for the period. Sadly, the AM Van was merely a styling buck, and AMC was brief on particulars, together with powertrain specifics. The idea’s inside was unfinished.
As a part of the tour, AMC polled showgoers as to which of the displayed ideas was their favourite. The AM Van was the overwhelming winner with 31 p.c of the vote. The Grand Touring Idea, a compact coupe, got here in second within the voting with 24 p.c. You may learn extra in regards to the Idea 80 tour right here.
The AM Van Idea is presently a part of the Bortz Assortment.
Forgotten Idea: Ford Ranger II
AM Van Idea
CG Says:
Penned by legendary AMC designer Richard Teague, the AM Van Idea proved a harbinger of issues to return for the struggling automaker. Although the AM Van by no means noticed manufacturing, all-wheel drive would show to be a cornerstone advertising device employed by AMC on such autos because the Harmony-based Eagle line, which arrived for 1980. Moreover, a wagon was added to the Pacer line for 1977, and shared its basic rear-body form and dimensions with the AM Idea.
It could be cool to know whether or not AMC was truly working to develop a line of small turbocharged engines for its vehicles, although that doesn’t appear to be the case. Lastly, by way of being a compact van, the AM Idea was nicely forward of its time… although in sensible phrases its 2-door design would have critically restricted its enchantment to family-oriented customers.
Forgotten Idea: Chrysler Imperial
1977 AMC Pacer Wagon
Take heed to the Client Information Automotive Stuff Podcast
Idea Automotive Gallery
(Click on beneath for enlarged photos)
Forgotten Idea: AMC Idea Grand Touring
