1978 AMC Concord DL 2 Door Sedan
The AMC Concord is a compact car produced by the American Motors Corporation for the 1978 through 1983 model years. The Concord replaced the AMC Hornet and to some extent the midsize AMC Matador, discontinued after 1978 in a market moving to downsized automobiles. Offered in 4 door sedan, 2 door coupe, (through 1982), 3 door hatchback, (through 1979), and 4 door station wagon forms, AMC sought to give its, by this time venerable, compact car an image of luxury, class, and value. The Concord was AMC's volume seller from the time it appeared.
The U.S. automobile industry has had a place "for a small company deft enough to exploit special market segments left untended by the giants" and under the leadership of Gerald C. Meyers, AMC transformed the austere old Hornet into the handsomer Concord. Richard A. Teague, AMC's top car designer, took AMC's compact platform and gave it noticeable changes starting with a new front end with a slope that gave it a sporty, yet formal appearance. American Motor's design studio under Teague mastered the art of getting attractive new cars from a minimal investment. For consignment, one of Dick Teague's masterpieces in the form of a 1978 AMC Concord DL 2 door sedan displaying a mere 9,318 title verified actual miles...talk about showroom fresh. It's wearing its original paint, original drivetrain and original interior plus having its original window sticker, this is definitely one for the hardcore AMC collector. Turn the key and hit the show circuit with this survivor right out of Kenosha.
Exterior
This "new" car, (in both design and appearance), utilizes the facelifted 1977 Gremlin's front fenders with a new hood over a chrome six section eggcrate grille incorporating white rectangular parking lights, as well as new rectangular headlights, bumpers, fiberglass rear fender end caps, rectangular tri-color tail lights, and a stand up hood ornament with a new Concord emblem. The roof features an outlined quarter vinyl cover that was available in matching or contrasting color. New style or not, with it's long hood and short deck this car still follows the guidelines for a pony car in the normal sense, but the side profile leads more to that of a mundane pedestrian sedan. Straight steel panels show as factory fresh and Quicksilver drenched steel sandwiches the Classic Black paint making its way down the slab sides and accentuating the wheel arches along with thin stainless trim. Up front is the full length eggcrate grille with deeply inset headlights and chrome trimmed marker lights hovering above the thick and shiny chrome bumper below. Out back, another bumper hovers below the chrome trimmed tail lights and AMC even stepped it up with more chrome around the licence plate mount. Overall the chrome, brightwork and badging is used sparingly around the body but does a perfect job of highlighting the glass, wheel wells and rockers. 14-inch factory installed aluminum slot style wheels keep this Wisconsinite on the ground and are wrapped in deeply treaded 195/75R14 whitewall rubber.
Interior
Black embossed vinyl panels adorn the doors with a wood appliqu© panel dead center and is sprinkled with a chrome delineation dressing the applique along with more chrome for the cranks, actuators and mirror joystick. Inside, medium high back puffy buckets with tuck and roll black vinyl inserts, and smooth black vinyl surrounding bolsters are dressed with ergonomic headrests perched atop. The rear bench takes on this pattern and is looking in very nice condition. These seats swim in a sea of lightly faded deep pile black carpeting. The original black molded vinyl dash is upfront, and sports a central blackface chrome bezel gauge cluster deeply inset keeping the simplified look. Some deeply lacquered faux wood dressed the wiper and headlight knob and makes an appearance again in dash central which holds the factory AM/FM radio and AC/heater controls. A black plastic rimmed steering wheel with 2 center spokes and a red, white and blue AMC badge fronts the black clean dash. Peering upward allows us to greet the like new black cloth headliner hanging above.
Drivetrain
The original and unrestored engine bay awaits us under the hood. Between the inner fenders is the original 258ci inline 6 cylinder with its black air cleaner and turquoise valve coverings. There is a single 2-barrel carburetor atop and an A904 Torqueflite 3-speed automatic transmission is behind the 258 cubes. The rear axle comes to us with a 2.53 gear ratio. All looking very original and unmolested under the hood.
Undercarriage
Some minor surface rust is seen on the suspension and drivetrain parts, but these remain solid. Floor pans have patina black factory paint, and the rockers have some overspray. The unibody frame remains structurally sound. Front suspension is independent coil springs and leaf springs for the rear with power disc brakes up front and power drum brakes in the back.
Drive-Ability
I had to drive this one as it was a lost dream. Fortunately, it was not a nightmare to handle, and it ran beautifully. Smooth shifting, bias free braking, and a fully functional ride with all items working as intended. This car really is like a trip back in time with its simplicity and originality. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
An interesting design right out of the late 1970's and a nice job on the preservation. Low miles, showroom appearance and even the window sticker make this car a sure fire collectible. What was once ubiquitous is now a classic where few have survived, and even fewer in this condition.....Oh Santa, I'd like to amend my list
A8A067C418650
A-AMC
8-1978
A-3 Speed Automatic, Column Shift
0-Concord
6-2 Door Sedan
7-Concord DL
C-258ci 2bbl I6
4-Kenosha, WI Assy Plant
18650-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
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