The Pacer was a two-door ‘compact’ car designed by Dick Teague and produced by the American Motors Corporation between 1975 and 1980. Introduced with an advertising campaign that claimed, “When you buy any other car, all you end up with is today’s car. When you get a Pacer, you get a piece of tomorrow.” 

The Pacer's rounded and aerodynamic "jellybean" styling has made it an icon of the 1970s, as the shape and large glass area were unusual compared with the three-box designs of the era. The Pacer's width was equal to the full-sized US vehicles of the time, and this enabled AMC to promote it as "the first wide small car”. Unusually it was built with the passenger door 4 inches longer than the driver’s to allow easy access to the rear seats. 

The Pacer started out as an economy car and eventually became more of a small luxury car thanks to the availability of various comfort, convenience and appearance packages, and the range of options which increased over the model years. 

This 1975 AMC Pacer would have been a very early example and is thought to have been supplied new in Europe which would explain the kilometres per hour speedometer.  The European specifications differed from those sold in the US so it is difficult to surmise the exact model designation.  

The high bucket seats and floor shift would suggest that it could be a Pacer “X” model although there is no external badging to confirm this.  It is thought to have been driven regularly until approximately 2012 when it was stored in a barn along with other cars in a small collection.  Recently removed from storage it has been recommissioned and is said to drive well.

There is some paperwork with the Pacer, mostly importantly the Dutch registration document.  The seller says he will help the buyer should the Pacer be exported from the Netherlands, and would even deliver the car within Europe for an agreed fee.

The inside of the car is remarkably well preserved; the black vinyl seats have aged well and show little in the way of wear and tear.  The black carpets are acceptably clean and the faux wood dash is intact, as are all the switches and gauges.  

The odometer currently reads 19,936km.  It is possible that is the true distance travelled looking at the condition, but we think the odometer has most likely rolled over the 99,000 mark.  The front seats have 3 point seatbelts, whereas the rear is fitted with lap straps only. With a little time spent detailing the interior it could be as  tidy as the day it was delivered.

AMC offered a wide selection of two tone paint schemes throughout the 5 year production run, and some may have been exclusive to Europe.  This early production example is in two tone white and cream.  The back half of the car, including the roof, up to the rear of the doors is white.  

The white then continues forward long the lower doors below the side strips before following the front wheel arch and indicator around and up onto the bonnet (hood?).  It is quite likely that this paint scheme was on the car from the factory, but it is hard to be certain.  However, it gives the Pacer an interesting and attractive appearance.  In general the exterior is in good condition with only minor bubbles under the paint here and there.  

The all-important and stylish glass is all in good condition, with no misting or cracks.  The bumpers are straight and undented, and all the trim and chrome is present.  There is a euro spec tow bar fitted with light socket.

The Pacer has been the subject of some recommissioning since leaving storage, although the seller tells us than some work is likely to be necessary to prepare the car for regular use.  It has had a new fuel pumped fitted, along with a new distributor.  

The seller tells us the Pacer runs and drives nicely; the 3 speed auto box changes gear correctly and the brakes work well.  Under the bonnet the 4.2 litre straight 6 engine looks to be factory stock apart from an aftermarket aluminium air filter mounted on a Holley carburettor.

When first launched the Pacer sold quite well as economy cars were popular due to the ongoing fuel crisis. They were startlingly different to anything on the road at the time, and the funky looks still polarise opinion today.  They are actually a practical and amusing car to drive, and are now rare even in the USA.  Even rarer in Europe they are surprisingly well suited to European roads and are an unusual and fun classic proposition.

See, we made it all the way to the end without even mentioning Wayne’s World, –Excellent!



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