American · 1977–1983

AMC Concord

The AMC Concord is a compact car manufactured and marketed by the American Motors Corporation for model years 1978 through 1983. The Concord was essentially a revision of the AMC Hornet that was discontinued after 1977, but better equipped, quieter, and smoother-riding than the series it replaced. It was offered in four-door sedan, two-door coupe (through 1982), three-door hatchback (through 1979), and four-door station wagon with a rear liftgate. The Concord was AMC's volume seller from the time it appeared until the introduction of the Renault Alliance. The car was available as a sports-oriented two-door hatchback AMX model without any "Concord" badges or identification for the 1978 model year, as well as the Concord Sundancer convertible during 1981 and 1982, an authorized conversion sold through AMC dealers. Vehiculos Automotores Mexicanos (VAM) assembled and marketed modified Concord versions in Mexico as the VAM American, including a unique VAM Lerma model. A battery electric (BEV) conversion of the Concord station wagon was sold independently from AMC by Solargen during 1979 and 1980.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: AMC Hornet · Successor: Peugeot 505|Eagle Premier

All American AMC Concord data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Origin and development

American Motors did not have the financial resources required to develop an entirely new car to replace its successful, but aging, Hornet. The competition was expected from the new Ford Fox platform (also introduced for the 1978 model year as the Fairmont and Zephyr). The rear-wheel drive GM A platform (RWD) intermediates, such as the Chevrolet Malibu, were to be downsized to the same 108-inch (2,743 mm) wheelbase as the Hornet for the 1978 model year as well, following the previous shrinking of full-size GM models. Therefore, the smallest domestic American automaker needed something fresh to continue competing in a class that had long been their core market segment. The 1978 Concord offered slightly revised styling, a higher level of appointments and features as well as a greater emphasis on workmanship and quality that was prompted by the growing success of cars imported from Japan. The transformation of the old Hornet into the new 1978 Concord included positioning the new model as an upscale luxury compact with a competitive starting price in the mid-US$4,000 range (adjusted only for inflation equivalent to US$19,745 in 2025 dollars). 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 more handsome Concord." Dick Teague, AMC's top car designer, utilized the facelifted 1977 Gremlin's front fenders with a new hood over a chrome six-section egg-crate grille incorporating white rectangular parking lights, as well as new rectangular headlights, bumpers, fiberglass rear fender end caps, rectangular tri-color taillights, and a stand-up hood ornament with a new Concord emblem. On cars with th

Annual changes

=== 1978 === In its initial model year, the Concord models were available in base and the top-line D/L in four body styles. The marketing focused on the D/L version with AMC's sales brochure dedicated exclusively to describing the elegant appointments and comfort features with no extra charge for all the luxury. The base model sedan Concords retained the previous Hornet's two-door and four-door sedan rooflines. It incorporated the new front and rear-end styling, as well as numerous mechanical improvements. AMC targeted this model for fleet buyers. The D/L models featured many of the luxury cues that were popular on cars in the 1970s. These included a "landau" vinyl roof with opera windows (coupe only), color-keyed wheel covers, reclining seats covered in velveteen cloth, and woodgrain instrument panel overlays. The D/L wagon also featured exterior simulated woodgrain trim and reclining seats in a leather-like perforated vinyl. A "Touring Wagon" package was available exclusively on D/L wagons. It included a unique beige interior with orange and brown accents on the seat upholstery, door panels, dash trim, and exterior bodyside molding. The carpeting was extra thick (24 oz.), and the steering wheel was wrapped in beige leather. The D/L wagon's exterior wood trim was unavailable with this package. The exterior colors of the Touring Wagon were limited to Alpine White, Sand Tan, Golden Ginger, and Mocha Brown. The full-wheel covers had matching painted trim. A "Sport" package was available on all models when equipped with the optional 258 cu in (4.2 L) I6 or the 304 cu in (5.0 L) V8 engine. This package included slot-style road wheels, wide rocker panel moldings, and bodyside tape stripes on the lower half of the vehicle that went up around the wheel fender flares. The inte

AMX

Reviving a name that was associated with the performance two-seat AMC AMX sports car that was introduced ten years earlier, AMC fielded a new model in the youth and performance market segment. Based on the Concord hatchback model, the new AMX became a separate series for 1978. The distinction included the VIN, with the sixth digit being 7 on Concords and 9 on the AMX models. The cars did not have Concord badges or identification, but the two-door hatchback was said to represent "the performance expression of the Concord line" by automotive journalists. Rather than just an option package as on the 1977 Hornet hatchback model, AMC emphasized the distinction between its new luxury-oriented Concords and the sports car image of the new AMX by separating the models in its 1978 sales literature. Two pages illustrated and described the main features in a section titled "AMC AMX Hatchback" emphasizing the model's "bold design transforms everyday driving into an exciting experience" while the Concord-based hatchback focused on the full-width rear hatch and flip down rear seat for hauling gear along with lots of room up front for driver and passenger. In contrast to the Concord hatchback, the AMX version included a different front fascia with single round headlights, a flush grille, round amber parking lights, and a "power bulge" hood from the Gremlin line. Engines included the standard 258 cu in (4.2 L) I6 with a four-speed manual or optional three-speed automatic floor shifted transmission or the optional 304 cu in (5.0 L) V8 available only with a three-speed automatic. A factory 401 cu in (6.6 L) V8 with a four-speed manual could have been a special order example. The AMX included performance DR78×14 black sidewall steel-belted radial tires, front sway bar, "rally gauges" with

Convertibles

A Sundancer convertible conversion by Griffith Company was available for the 1981 and 1982 model years. The Sundancer was available one year before the introduction of the 1982 convertible Chrysler LeBaron versions that were prepared by Cars and Concepts. Buick announced in 1982 a similar aftermarket convertible for the Buick Riviera#Sixth generation (1979–1985) and contacted American Sun Roof (ASC), but the models were not available for sale for many months. The modifications to the Concord started with a two-door sedan monocoque (unitized) body. To add strength to the platform after the removal of its roof, fourteen steel reinforcements were welded to the undercarriage, and a steel targa roll bar was welded to the door pillars for rigidity, as well as additional passenger compartment protection. The front section of the roof (ahead of the targa bar) was a removable lightweight fiberglass hatch. In contrast, the rear section of polyvinyl material folded and included a tonneau cover for use in the down position. The cars were available through any AMC dealer, but less than 200 conversions were manufactured (Concord and four-wheel-drive Eagle versions).

VAM models

The Mexican government-owned automaker Vehiculos Automotores Mexicanos (VAM) manufactured several models in Mexico under license from AMC. The made-in-Mexico vehicles had to have at least 60% locally sourced parts. VAM cars came with different trim and interiors than the equivalent AMC-made models. They were marketed as the VAM American. In addition to rebadged Concords, VAM developed the unique VAM Lerma that was based on the Concord coupe and sedan with the addition of the AMC Spirit's hatchback and rear end design along with its unique quarter glass treatment. All engines built by VAM were of AMC design with appropriate changes to deal with lower octane gasoline and the higher altitudes in Mexico. Additionally, VAM developed a 282 cu in (4.6 L) version of AMC's I6 engine. The I4 and V8 engines, as well as five-speed manual transmissions, were not available in VAM-built cars. The three-speed manual transmission continued as the standard in all base models through 1983, while the four-speed manual was limited to performance models. All high-trim versions included automatic transmissions. The hatchback models were unavailable in base or DL trim, nor were the Griffith-converted Sundancer models. 1978. The Concord-based VAM American started as the "second generation" of the economy and luxury line of intermediate VAM compacts following the first generation of 1975 through 1977 Hornet-based Americans. The 1978 base models were called "American Sedan" and "Camioneta American" by VAM. The standard 258 cu in (4.2 L) I6 engine came with a single-barrel carburetor and three-speed manual transmission with a column-shift on the wagon and four-door models, or a floor-mounted shifter on the two-door versions. A three-speed automatic transmission was optional with a column-mounted s

Racing

Tom Reffner, who won sixty-seven features driving an AMC Javelin during the 1975 season, campaigned his 1978 Concord AMX in races that included winning the April 8 ARTGO opener in 1979 at Wisconsin's Madison Capital Raceway with temperatures just above freezing. He also set the Wisconsin International Raceway track record with an average speed of 89.3 miles per hour (144 km/h) or 20.155 seconds for the lap during time trials, but placed second in the NKG 50 feature race, just two car lengths behind Dick Trickle. For the season, Reffner had 21 feature wins, and added 16 more in 1979 with the AMX, thus continuing an "outstanding" racing record in AMC cars from 1975 until a wreck at Elko in 1979. An AMC Concord was entered in the 1978 World Challenge for Endurance Drivers. The car started the endurance race at the Six-Hours of Talladega Camel GT Challenge with 40 other cars, but was driven by Bo Montgomery for only one lap on 4 February 1978. The same car was driven by Buzz Cason and Rick Knoop at the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) Pepsi Six-Hour Champion Spark Plug Challenge at the Daytona International Speedway three days later and finished in 17th (out of 71 cars) with 130 laps. On 9 March 1978, the Concord driven by Buzz Cason and Richard Valentine placed 27th (out of 70 entered) with 162 laps racing the Six-Hour Champion Spark Plug Challenge at Road Atlanta. A 1979 AMC Concord was campaigned on the west coast from 1978 through 1981 by Buzz Dyer. Power was provided by a Traco Engineering-prepared AMC 366 cu in (6.0 L) V8 engine. It was initially in the Penske AMC Matador that won the 1973 season-opening event at Riverside driven by Mark Donohue. The Concord raced in six Trans Am events, as well as International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) events with

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: AMC Concord
aka: VAM American (Mexico), VAM Lerma (Mexico)
Manufacturer: American Motors Corporation
Production: 1977–1983
Model years: 1978–1983
Assembly: United States: Kenosha, Wisconsin (Kenosha Assembly), Canada: Brampton, Ontario (Brampton Assembly), Mexico: Mexico City (VAM)
Class: Compact
Body style: 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, 2-door hatchback, 4-door station wagon, 4-door hatchback (Mexico), 2-door convertible
Engine: 122 CID Audi/VW EA831 I4, 151 CID GM Iron Duke I4, 232 CID I6, 258 CID I6, 282 CID I6 (Mexico), 304 CID V8, DC series traction (Solargen)
Transmission: 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic, 3-speed manual, 4-speed manual, 5-speed manual
Wheelbase: 108 in
Length: 183.6 in
Width: 71 in
Height: 51.7 in
Kerb weight: 2851 lb (base)
Predecessor: AMC Hornet
Successor: Eagle Medallion
Related: AMC Hornet, AMC Eagle, AMC Gremlin, AMC Spirit
Layout: FR layout
Platform: AMC's "junior cars"
Designer: Dick Teague

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q294679CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMC_ConcordCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1372662061 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1978_AMC_Concord_DL_4-door_sedan_beige.jpgPublic domain · Photo: CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz, releases all rights but a photo credit would be appreciated if this image is used anywhere other than Wikipedia. Please leave a note at Wikipedia here. Thank you! · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.