Editing AMC Spirit (section)

==== 1980 ====
The Rally-based Spirit liftbacks were available in two sports versions, the standard "Rally AMX" and the high-performance "Rally GT" in their first year. Both versions came standard with a [[Transmission Technologies Corporation]] (Tremec) 176-F four-speed manual transmission with Hurst linkage, power brakes with front discs and rear drums, power steering, front and rear sway bars, heavy-duty shock absorbers and springs, seven-bladed flexible cooling fan, tinted windshield, leather-wrapped three-arm sports steering wheel, tachometer, a center console with armrest and "Rallye" gauges plus rear ashtray, reclining bucket seats with adjustable headrests, split-back rear seat, three-point retractable seatbelts, woodgrain panels on the dashboard, full light group (hood, courtesy, ashtray, glove box) except reading dome light, blacked-out dual remote-controlled mirrors and VAM-designed aluminum grille with a central "Rally" emblem. The Rally AMX had the standard {{convert|132|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} {{convert|282|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} I6 using a 3.07:1 rear axle gear ratio, while the Rally GT came with the high-performance {{convert|172|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} version of this VAM engine and a 3.31:1 rear gear ratio.<ref name="anhalt"/> The heavy-duty cooling system consisting of a fan shroud and coolant recovery tank was optional on the AMX and standard on the GT, some units of this version came with a clutch fan instead of the regular belt-type. The Rally AMX was the "base model" of the line and the Rally GT was closer to the European tradition of performance cars with its analog tachometer (instead of the AMX's digital tach), while convenience items such as air conditioning or automatic transmission were not available. The GT model also included a rear spoiler with an electric liftgate lock release and eight-spoke steel wheels (which were optional on the AMX). The AMX came with VAM's own design five-spoke wheels with trim rings and blacked-out volcano hubcaps. The marketing effort by VAM's sales department had most GT units be equipped from the factory with all the options originally intended to be an extra cost, such as the rear defroster, reading dome light, intermittent wipers, and an AM/FM stereo radio, aside from the already mentioned steel wheels and rear spoiler. These items were all optional on the AMX.

The Rally AMX featured three-tone body side decals from the top of the front fenders to the rear corners of the side glass, a design based on AMC's 1979–1980 AMX graphics. VAM's 1977 decal design for the word "Rally" was used as background for AMC's "AMX" decal design. Both designs were one on top of the other to create a "Rally AMX" logo located on the lower front corner of each door. The Rally AMX also included a "4.6 Litros" sticker on both front fender sides. The Rally GT was more subdued, featuring only a gold-colored "American GT" emblem below the rear side glass and a large "4.6 / X" decal on the right corner of the rear spoiler. Due to a last-minute mistake or misunderstanding in VAM's management, the Rally GT was actually called "American GT" this year. The GT does not have a "Rally" emblem on its grille, which is the same design as the one used by the AMX. This also meant an "American" emblem on the glove box door instead of the "Rally" one. Early in the year, customer preference made VAM discontinue the side decals on the AMX, leaving only the superposed "Rally" and "AMX" designs and the "4.6 Litros" fender decal.<ref name="VAM-forum"/>