Re: [Amc-list] New to the site

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

For starters, send mail to the list by sending to 
"amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx". I forwarded your message. The list doesn't 
allow pics to be posted, it's text only. It's preferred that you set 
your e-mail to send "plain text" to the list to keep size of messages 
down. If you send a pic or send in HTML or some other coded format, the 
list will store the message for a short time and post a link to it 
instead of the message. A lot of people simply ignore the links and read 
the other messages, so for best impact send plain text, and send a 
second message with a photo or better yet, post a link to your photo in 
the text message. You can get free hosting at Photobucket or any similar 
site.

Looks like a nice project car that doesn't need much! Pacer's aren't 
power houses or fantastic on gas even with the 304 V-8 (most were 258 
sixes), but are comfortable, nice riding cars. It's relatively compact 
on the outside, but has the room of a much bigger car inside. Gas 
mileage and power suffer due to smog choked engines and the weight of 
the car. It was designed with safety in mind even though it has all that 
glass, and weighs as much as a typical mid sized car of the period. It 
was designed in the early 70s and came out in 76, just before the first 
gas crunch -- horrible timing!

With the collector car market the way it is now, only the "standard" 
really popular, highly sought after cars are holding value. Bottom of 
the barrel collectibles/special interest cars like most AMCs (I'm a fan, 
but I'm also aware of the facts!) are hard sells. If you like the car 
and enjoy the smiles/stares/waves/questions of driving something unique 
on occasion, keep it and enjoy it. It's NOT an investment, so remember 
that you have to get your money's worth out of it in enjoyment. The best 
thing about an AMC is it's not so valuable that you're scared to drive 
it -- unless it has some sentimental value and you really don't want to 
risk losing it. Doesn't sound like the case here!

I'd go to Maaco or some other paint chain and get it painted 
inexpensively. They do a great job painting, but not much preparation. 
To get a good job from a cheap paint chain pull as much chrome as you 
can off before taking it to them -- bumpers and door handles as well as 
tail lights (usually a screwdriver will remove those after you drive it 
over). It would be a good idea to at least rough wet sand it by hand 
too, using something like 120 grit. They will give it a quick once-over 
with a 180 or 200 grit paper, wipe it with a cleaner, then spray it for 
the advertised price. No dent or scratch removal. If it's to be a driver 
don't worry about little dings -- you'll get more anyway. Just patch up 
the major items and get a fresh shiny coat of paint on it so it will be 
a nice "ten footer" (looks good from 10' away, will see flaws when closer).

If you decide you really like the car there are lots of improvements 
that can be made in the drivetrain for better power and mileage. The six 
is easy to hop up, Jeep places will have parts and knowledge. The 
easiest engine upgrade is a 87-95 Cherokee 4.0L EFI six. You can just 
use the head and EFI on the 258 block. Sounds daunting, but if you just 
lift the EFI components, wiring, and computer from the jeep and put it 
roughly in the same locations under the Pacer hood it's pretty easy -- 
just 4-5 wires to splice in. The stock six is 110 hp, the 4.0L is 
180-190 hp. A big difference, and better mileage too! The stock 304 V-8 
was only 150 hp.

Andrew.N.Harris@xxxxxxx wrote:
>
> *Greetings!*
>
> *I am new to the site, so I am not really sure how to submit "blogs." 
>  I am in a quandary about keeping, selling or trading my 1979 Pacer 
> Station Wagon, DL ("Classic"-according to the badge on the pristine 
> dash).*
>
> *It needs work, has surface rust & a new driver's side door hinge. 
> BUT, it has 75,556 miles, by the little old couple. It was towed 
> several years ago from an estate. The title was filled out wrong, 
> which has been fixed.*
>
> *Just need some opinions.*
>
>
>
> *Thanks,*
>
> *Andy*
>
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>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>


-- 
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
(free download available!)

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