Editing AMC Spirit (section)

===1979===
[[File:1979 AMC Spirit GT V8 Russet SL.jpg|thumb|right|1979 AMC Spirit GT]]

As a restyled variant of the previous Gremlin, the Spirit featured distinctly larger rear [[quarter glass|quarter window]]s while retaining the instrument panel introduced on the 1978 Gremlin, with a wood grain overlay on DL and Limited models.

Riding on the same wheelbase as the sedan, the liftback was identical to the sedan from the doors forward and featured a sloping roof (compromising rear headroom) and a [[hatchback]] with a more shallow [[Kammback]] tail. The rear license plate hid the fuel filler cap. The Spirit offered a generous cruising range with its "fuel tank capacity of 21 gallons and probable fuel mileage of 25 mpg or more&nbsp;... enabling the car's driver to travel over 500 miles between fill ups".<ref>{{cite book|last=Weiers |first=Ronald M. |title=Chilton's more miles per gallon guide |year=1980 |publisher=Chilton Books |isbn=978-0-8019-6907-2 |page=67 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=4KEeAQAAIAAJ&q=AMC+Spirit+drag+racing |via=Google Books |access-date=7 April 2022}}</ref>

Standard equipment levels and convenience features were increased on the new Spirit compared to the Gremlin.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hotcars.com/a-detailed-look-at-the-amc-spirit/ |title=A Detailed Look At The AMC Spirit |first=Megan |last=McCoig |date=16 March 2022 |website=hotcars.com |access-date=24 April 2023}}</ref> For example, the DL models featured upgraded trim inside and out, including color-keyed wheel covers, custom bucket seats in corduroy fabric or "sport" vinyl upholstery, wood accents on the dashboard, steering wheel, and floor gearshift knob, and fluorescent-display digital clock.<ref name="79spiritBrochure">{{cite web|url= http://oldcarbrochures.org/United%20States/AMC/1979_AMC/1979-Sprint-Brochure/slides/1979_Spirit-06-07.html |title=1979 AMC Spirit brochure |pages=6–7 |website=oldcarbrochures.org |access-date=23 April 2023}}</ref> The top trim Limited model included leather seats and trim, air conditioning, AM/FM radio, an adjustable steering wheel, dual remote outside mirrors, a full-length center console with armrest, and many more features.<ref name="79spiritBrochure"/>

[[File:1979 AMC Spirit GT V8 Russet IN.jpg|thumb|right|Standard interior with GT package included center console "Rallye" gauges]]
The GT package was available on the Spirit liftback and included among other features, blacked-out exterior trim, radial tires with styled wheels, black leather-wrapped sport steering wheel and console, tachometer, and "Rallye" gauges, as well as a special "deep-tone" exhaust system.<ref name="79spiritBrochure"/> The package also had a rear [[Spoiler (automotive)|spoiler]], and other sporty features that offered AMC to have a competitor in design, style, price, size, and performance to the new-for-1979 [[Ford Fox platform|Fox]]-based [[Ford Mustang (third generation)|Ford Mustang]]. A separate GT "rally-tuned" suspension option included tuned front and rear sway bars, "Hi-Control" rear leaf springs with "iso-clamp" pads, special strut rod bushings, adjustable Gabriel "Strider" shock absorbers, as well as heavy-duty brakes and quick ratio steering box.<ref name="driving79"/>

The standard engine on all models except the AMX was a {{convert|121|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} [[List of discontinued Volkswagen Group petrol engines#EA831|EA831]] [[inline-four engine|inline-four]] supplied by Audi. Optional were AMC's {{convert|232|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} and {{convert|258|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} [[AMC Straight-6 engine|inline-sixes]] (the latter standard on the AMX).<ref name=1979brochure>{{cite web |title=1979 AMC Sprint brochure |url= http://oldcarbrochures.org/United%20States/AMC/1979_AMC/1979-Sprint-Brochure/slides/1979_Spirit-06-07.html |website=oldcarbrochures.org |access-date=7 April 2022 |pages=6–7}}</ref> The {{convert|304|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} [[AMC V8 engine]] was offered as an option only on the liftback.<ref name=1979brochure/> The 1979 model year would mark a one-year reprieve for [[V8 engine|V8]] availability in the short {{convert|96|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} wheelbase AMC chassis. The last time this configuration was available was in the 1976 Gremlin. All engines could be mated to either a standard 4-speed [[manual transmission]] or an optional 3-speed [[TorqueFlite]] [[automatic transmission]] with floor shift, depending on trim and options. A 3-speed manual transmission was available as a delete option with the 232 engine.<ref name=1979brochure/>

The four-cylinder engine is the same [[overhead camshaft]] unit carried over from the [[AMC Gremlin|Gremlin]], and was also available on the [[AMC Concord|Concord]]. It used the same cast parts as the [[Porsche 924]] (both made by [[Volkswagen Group|VW/Audi]]), but was assembled in an AMC plant in Indiana to different specifications than that of the Porsche engine. The AMC version was only offered with a 2-barrel [[carburetor]] while the Porsche unit had electronic [[fuel injection]] and a higher [[compression ratio]]. It was available with either a 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission with special gear ratios or a [[BorgWarner|Borg-Warner]] HR1 4-speed manual.

The AMX model was transferred from the Concord hatchback to the Spirit liftback body for 1979 and came with either the 258 I6 or the 304 V8 engine.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2019/04/19/spirit-amx-gave-the-amc-musclecar-one-last-decal-gt-hurrah |title=Spirit AMX gave the AMC musclecar one last "decal GT" hurrah |first=Daniel |last=Strohl |date=19 April 2019 |work=Hemmings |access-date=24 April 2023}}</ref> The AMX featured a flush blackout grille with an AMX emblem, fiberglass wheel flares, rear [[Spoiler (automotive)|spoiler]], ER60x14 white-letter tires on 14x7-inch "Turbocast II" aluminum wheels, blackout trim, "GT rally-tuned" suspension, floor shift transmission, an optional hood decal, and other sporty features.<ref name="Hazel">{{cite web |last1=Hazel |first1=Christian |title=The 1979 AMC Spirit AMX May Be the Slowest Specialty Performance Car |url= https://www.motortrend.com/features/1979-amc-spirit-amx-mecum-auction/ |publisher=Motor Trend |date=31 December 2021 |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>

''Popular Science'' magazine compared the four-cylinder Spirit with the [[Chevrolet Chevette]], [[Dodge Omni 024]], and the imported [[Plymouth Champ#Fourth generation|Plymouth Champ]] describing the Spirit's "generous updating of the chassis and body have kept it fresh-looking."<ref name="tinyhatcbacks">{{cite magazine |last1=Dunne |first1=Jim |last2=Jacobs |first2=Ed |title=Tiny hatchbacks go a long way on a gallon |magazine=Popular Science |date=June 1979 |volume=214 |issue=6 |pages=39–46 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=fAEAAAAAMBAJ&q=AMC+Spirit&pg=PA43 |via=Google Books |access-date=7 April 2022}}</ref> Despite its imported engine, with its heavy chassis it was "no economy standout&nbsp;... what is special about the Spirit is the luxury finish&nbsp;... with the look of a high-priced car."<ref name="tinyhatcbacks"/> A ''Popular Mechanics'' survey of one-thousand owners after they had driven their cars a total of {{convert|795733|mi|km|0}} gave their Spirits "a strong vote of confidence as a basically fine automobile - good-looking, great handling, economical, smooth-riding, and quite comfortable for two people."<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=YM8DAAAAMBAJ&q=American+Motors+pulls+off+a+styling+coup+at+the+expense+of+rear+seating&pg=PA66 |title=American Motors pulls off a styling coup at the expense of rear seating |first=Michael |last=Lamm |magazine=Popular Mechanics |date=June 1979 |pages=66 and 69 |volume=151 |issue=6 |via=Google Books |access-date=7 April 2022}}</ref>