Re: [AMC-list] What if and What Was AMC engine specs

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

There were quite a few experimental AMC engines back in Romney's days. 
One was the air cooled V-4 that made it into the Mighty Mite air 
transportable mini Jeep. Another that came a bit later (early 70s) was a 
weird Wankel rotary type engine that used valves instead of piston ports 
in an attempt to clean it up and make it more efficient. I've got an 
article somewhere that shows a few other engines, I think one was a flat 
six. Romney is on the front page with some engines in the background. 
Doesn't say a whole lot about the engines though.

I think AMC could have had a four (and/or compact V-6) ready by the mid 
70s if Abernethy hadn't spent all the profits from the early 60s trying 
to make the cars more upscale so they could make more per car. They were 
certainly in the engineering department as prototypes. I can see not 
being overly concerned about the V-6, but a four should have been a no 
brainer. The main problems with Abernethy's marketing idea was that the 
main Rambler buyers (rather frugal sorts looking for bang for the buck) 
were alienated by the "classier" vehicles (only frugal one was the 
American) and that was (still is?) a crowded, highly competitive market 
segment. Poor old Abernethey gets blamed for everything, doesn't he?!!

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars"
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://www.amc-mag.com
(free download available!)

_______________________________________________
AMC-list mailing list
AMC-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://list.amc-list.com/listinfo.cgi/amc-list-amc-list.com