Editing AMC Spirit (section)

===1981===
[[File:1981 AMC Spirit liftback in blue with tan interior at Rambler Ranch 2of4.jpg|thumb|1981 AMC Spirit base model]]
[[File:1981 AMC Spirit four.jpg|thumb|right|1981 AMC Spirit base model with optional two-tone and rear spoiler]]
[[File:AMC Spirit DL two-tone liftback NC.jpg|thumb|right|AMC Spirit DL with optional two-tone]]
[[File:1981 AMC Spirit DL sedan at 2017 AMO meet 02of17.jpg|thumb|AMC Spirit sedan with optional stripes]]

The 1981 model year AMC Spirits received a new crosshatch grille with a single crosshair element. New optional "[[Noryl]]" wheel covers were added. The leather-clad Limited models were canceled, leaving the DL as the top-rung model. The AMX model was discontinued, but the liftback was available with the GT appearance package, available on both base and DL trims, with both engines. An optional G.T. rally-tuned suspension for the liftback included special front and rear sway bars, tuned strut rod bushings and rear spring iso-clamp pads, heavy-duty adjustable Gabriel Strider shock absorbers, "hi-control" rear leaf springs, and a faster steering box ratio.<ref name="81brochure">{{cite web |title=1981 AMC Spirit and Concord brochure |url= https://www.xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1981-AMC-Spirit-Concord.pdf |website=xr793.com |access-date=7 April 2022}}</ref> New options included power windows, rear window wiper and washer, power antenna, as well as tricolored "rally" stripes.<ref name="81brochure"/>

A four-speed manual transmission was standard while the optional three-speed automatic now included a lockup [[torque converter]], and [[radial tire]]s were standard fitment across the lineup.<ref name=RT81a>{{cite magazine |magazine=Road and Track's Road Test Annual & Buyer's Guide 1981 |issue=January–February 1981 |title=1981 Buyer's Guide |editor-first=Tony |editor-last=Hogg |page=79 }}</ref>

The {{convert|258|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} I6 was redesigned and made {{convert|90|lb|kg|0}} lighter, as well as smoother, higher low-end torque, more economical, and requiring less maintenance.<ref name="driving81">{{cite magazine |last=Witzenburg |first=Gary |title=Driving the new AMC models |magazine=Popular Mechanics |date=September 1980 |volume=154 |issue=4 |pages=100 and 180 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=RtQDAAAAMBAJ&q=Driving+the+new+AMC+models+1981&pg=PA100 |via=Google Books |access-date=7 April 2022}}</ref> The numerous engineering improvements and the substitution of aluminum for iron and steel made the venerable AMC engine "the lightest in-line Six in the domestic industry", at {{convert|445|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=RtQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA180&dq=the+lightest+in-line+Six+in+the+domestic+industryWitzenburg, Witzenburg (September 1980). p. 180].</ref>

The 1981 AMC EPA fuel economy figures for the 49 states were:
* {{convert|23|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on}} city and {{convert|33|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on}} highway for the 4-cylinder 4-speed
* {{convert|20|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on}} city and {{convert|26|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on}} highway for the 4-cylinder automatic
* {{convert|19|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on}} city and {{convert|28|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on}} highway for the 6-cylinder 4-speed
* {{convert|19|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on}} city and {{convert|26|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on}} highway for the 6-cylinder automatic

There were four kinds of wheel treatments this year that included the "Custom Wheel Cover" or standard full wheel discs, "Full Styled" wheel cover made of Noryl which was standard on the Spirit DL, the "Spoke Styled Wheels" which were standard on the Spirit G.T., and the "Turbocast II" aluminum wheels which were optional on all models. Fifteen exterior paint colors were available in 1981. They were Olympic White, Classic Black, Quick Silver Metallic, Steel Gray Metallic, Medium Blue Metallic, Moonlight Blue, Autumn Gold, Sherwood Green Metallic, Cameo Tan, Copper Brown Metallic, Medium Brown Metallic, Dark Brown Metallic, Oriental Red, Vintage Red Metallic, and Deep Maroon Metallic. Interiors were available in "Deluxe Grain" vinyl in black, blue, beige, and nutmeg. "Coventry Check" fabric was available in black, blue, beige, and nutmeg.<ref name="81brochure"/>

American Motors led the way in galvanized steel news for 1981, by applying one-sided and two-sided galvanized materials to all of the exterior body panels on all its models.<ref>{{cite book| title=Ward's automotive yearbook, Volume 43 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=aodTAAAAMAAJ&q=AMC+led+the+way+in+galvanized+steel+news+for+'81,+by+applying+one-side+and+two-+side+galvanized+materials+to+all+of+the+exterior+body+panels+on+its+Spirit,+Concord+and+Eagle+models |page=58 |publisher=Ward's Reports |year=1981 |access-date=26 March 2013 }}</ref> AMC tied these applications into its warranty program and the Spirit was advertised as "One Tough American Economy car" highlighting its galvanized steel in every exterior body panel.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=XtLjAAAAMAAJ&q=100%25+exterior+body+panels+galvanized+Spirit |title=One Tough American Economy Car (advertisement) |magazine=Newsweek |volume=97 |year=1981 |access-date=26 March 2013 }}</ref> According to Dale E. Dawkins, AMC's vice-president, "Every square inch of inner surface on exterior body panels is galvanized on our Spirit, Concord, and Eagle models." to support AMC's new "Tough Americans" marketing campaign highlighting the long warranty and rustproofing measures included in their cars.

For the 1981 model year, AMC introduced [[AMC Eagle|Eagle]] models (SX/4 liftback and Kammback sedan) based on both Spirit body styles.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Traugott |first1=Jay |title=Weekly Treasure: 1982 AMC Eagle SX/4 |url= https://carbuzz.com/news/weekly-treasure-1982-amc-eagle-sx-4 |publisher=CarBuzz |access-date=26 September 2021 |date=15 November 2020 |quote=In 1981, the AMC Eagle SX/4 arrived, though it was based on the Spirit liftback.}}</ref>