Re: [AMC-list] It's just fun driving the Rambler

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

The biggest problem with the Pacer when it came out was fuel economy. It was perceived as a "smaller car" but weighed nearly as much as a full size Matador sedan (only 450 pounds less). There were plans to replace the Matador with a four door version of the Pacer, but that never materialized due to slow sales. Had the first fuel crisis not hit about the time the Pacer came out it would have enjoyed more success, but that crunch sent people running for more economical cars. The Pacer got no better economy than the full size Matadors, and had less power. The large glass areas increased weight, as did many safety features. The Pacer was probably one of the safest cars of the time even though it had a lot of glass. The styling was definitely ahead of the times, too far ahead for many. AMC sold 45,000 Pacers in the first 3-4 months it was available. If they could have built more, they would have sold more -- that's as fast as they could be built! Of course six months later the bot
tom fell out of the demand. It's ironic that the Hornet sold so much better, but only weighed a couple hundred pounds less. I suppose less frontal area helped, though the Pacer is more aerodynamic (early models without the big grille anyway). 

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Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 20:14:47 -0800 (PST)
From: peggy delancey <butterfly15610@xxxxxxxxx>

They give good service! Makes me cry that they never caught on like they should have! In todays world and car design they fit right in! Just ahead of their time!

--
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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