AMC Hornet Reviews

25th Sep 2010, 20:01

FYI - The 258 6 cylinder engine is not a Jeep engine - the Jeep uses the AMC/Rambler 6 (dates back to 1964 - available in 199-232-258 cubic inch sizes). Pretty solid engine - occasional timing chain problems - other than that, no worries.

26th Sep 2010, 10:03

Back in the 1980s and early 1990s my brother had an enormous collection of 'field cars' down on the farm - decrepit free cars he had fixed up so we could drive them round the farm in lieu of Jeeps. Well, as you can imagine we were very hard on these cars, and the one that stood up best to all we had to throw at it, was, you guessed it - a 1970 AMC Hornet.

Runner up was a '73 Olds Vista Cruiser, but the Hornet was the toughest. Modern cars would have been destroyed the first day under our abuse, but the old Hornet lasted well over a year!

1977 AMC Hornet from North America

Year of manufacture	1977
First year of ownership	1977
Most recent year of ownership	1991
Engine and transmission
Performance marks	7 / 10
Reliability marks	8 / 10
Comfort marks	10 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	7 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	8.0 / 10
Distance when acquired	30 miles
Most recent distance	104000 miles

Summary:

This car was basic, hardworking, reliable, and I wish I had another

Faults:

Brake work done several times.

The universal joint was replaced.

The alternator was replaced.

The transmission was rebuilt.

It developed a cold start problem. It would only start on cold days if the engine was cold.

It had lots of carburetor work.

The manifold cracked.

The suspension went bad after about 12 years.

General Comments:

This car had a 258cid and it would climb Everest.

It had no pick-up, but at speed it could cruise for hours at 75.

It was very, very good in the snow.

The front seats were very comfortable. The back seats, not so much so.

It was a good car for trips - the trunk held a lot.

I regret ever selling it. It was a workhorse, inexpensive parts, relatively easy labor.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th February, 2009

14th Feb 2009, 16:01

"I regret ever selling it."

Don't! Today it would be an old crate made totally obsolete by 21st century car standards.

30th May 2009, 08:32

On the other hand if it were in good shape, it would be worth a few thousand dollars. Eventually anything rare becomes worth something.

It's also worth noting that the 'twenty-first century' cars of which you speak cost many, many times what this Hornet cost new or used.

1977 AMC Hornet SST 258 ci. 2 barrel from North America

Model year	1977
Year of manufacture	1977
First year of ownership	1979
Most recent year of ownership	2008
Engine and transmission	258 ci. 2 barrel Don't Know
Performance marks	8 / 10
Reliability marks	8 / 10
Comfort marks	5 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	7 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	7.0 / 10
Distance when acquired	23000 miles
Most recent distance	105000 miles
Previous car	AMC Eagle

Summary:

This car looks like a grocery getter, but will surprise you.

Faults:

Rebuilt motor at 100,000 miles. Replaced carburetor once.

Seats are starting to flatten. All upholstry is still good.

General Comments:

Engine was bored.060 over. Hi performace cam installed. Head was rebuilt with a three angle valve job. This car now runs a 14.2 sec. 1/4 mile at 97 mph. What a ride.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th February, 2008

1974 AMC Hornet Sportabout V8 360 V8 from North America

Year of manufacture	1974
First year of ownership	2002
Most recent year of ownership	2004
Engine and transmission	360 V8 Automatic
Performance marks	9 / 10
Reliability marks	8 / 10
Comfort marks	7 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	5 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	7.3 / 10
Distance when acquired	32170 miles
Most recent distance	34590 miles
Previous car	AMC Hornet

Summary:

An unbelievable fast and comfortable little wagon

Faults:

Low fuel economy, small passenger area.

General Comments:

This low mileage (less than 35,000 original miles at this writing), factory V8 (304)car was purchased by an acquaintance to be parted out for its engine cross-member and associated parts. It needed an engine rebuild, as there was no compression at No. 5 cylinder. The body is clean with some of the usual rust in the quarter panels, and rockers. The front brake shoes were cracked, probably from overheating.

This diamond-in-the rough needed only some TLC to be a runner again. We replaced the blown 304 with a freshened-up American Motors 360 V8. The engine swap took a week of late nights. An Edelbrock Performer intake manifold and Performer 4-barrel Carburetor tops it off. The 360 was also treated to an Edelbrock timing-gear and chain set, a new fuel pump, a Melling oil pump kit, rebuilt points distributor, and full tune-up, hoses and belts.

The interior is mint. No rips or tears in the seats.

We also added a Hornet AMX gauge console and sport wheel from a Jeep Cherokee Chief, and a reproduction SC/360 dash applique.

The factory body-side woodgrain remains, as does the chrome roof rack with air deflector.

At this writing, we are just a couple of weeks away from completion, and perhaps a stab at a 1/4 mile run. It will burn up the rear tires all day long, and is fast as all heck.

Lots of people will come up to me and say, "I used to have one", or "We had one in the family".

This is my third Sportabout, and I just love it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd August, 2004

20th Mar 2008, 23:37

Just wanted to say that it is good to hear positive comments about the Sportabout wagons.. I also have a sportabout!! My wagon is a " 1976" with a 258 Cubic inch engine with a 1 barrel Carter carb... Who ever had the car before me put roughly an '74" model engine in it and I love the car...