AMC Eagle SX/4 Liftback
The AMC Eagle was one of the most innovative vehicles of its era — a full-time all-wheel-drive passenger car that essentially invented the crossover segment nearly 20 years before the term existed. Created by AMC engineer Roy Lunn (who had earlier designed the Ford GT40), the Eagle combined the existing AMC Concord/Spirit platform with a full-time four-wheel-drive system adapted from Jeep. The system used a New Process 119 transfer case with a viscous coupling that automatically distributed power between front and rear axles without driver intervention. The SX/4 was the sportiest Eagle variant, based on the AMC Spirit liftback body with slightly raised suspension providing additional ground clearance. While it was no sports car, the Eagle offered a unique combination of everyday passenger car comfort, decent fuel economy, and remarkable all-weather capability that made it especially popular in northern states with harsh winters. Available with AMC's reliable inline-six engine and either manual or automatic transmission, the Eagle proved that all-wheel-drive didn't require a truck-based vehicle. The concept was so far ahead of its time that it would be years before competitors caught on to what AMC had pioneered.
Rust is the Eagle's worst enemy — check floor pans, rocker panels, and subframe thoroughly. The inline-6 is bulletproof if maintained. Transfer case and front differential seals can leak. SX/4 liftback models are rarer and more desirable than wagon versions. Parts availability is limited but a dedicated enthusiast community exists.
The Eagle was produced from 1979 to 1987 at AMC's Kenosha, Wisconsin plant. Total production across all body styles exceeded 197,000 units. The SX/4 liftback was discontinued after 1983.