"It was the steel-bodied American sports car of the day."
Freaks for sale features unique, interesting and bizarre vehicles for sale in Michigan.
Growing up, Scott Bower's dad was an AMC guy, and owned his fair share of Rambler-brand cars made by AMC from 1954 to 1969.
The Highland resident is now listing his 1982 AMC Eagle SX4 for sale.
Bower also himself once owned several AMX two-seaters from the 1968 and 1969 model years.
"It was the steel-bodied American sports car of the day," he said.
So, with such heritage, why part with this particular piece of AMC from the 1980s?
Bower said that while he considers the AMC Eagle SX4 a viable daily driver, he already has enough "toys." He gestured to a Jeep Wrangler.
"I love it," he said of the AMC. "But can't justify it."
What it is: A 1982 AMC Eagle SX4
Why it's a freak: The company that made it no longer exists. American Motors Corporation operated from 1954 to 1988, and at one time George Romney, the former governor of Michigan, was head of the company.
AMC's Eagle brand launched in 1979, and its cars are widely considered the original crossover vehicles, in large part because of their all-wheel-drive configuration and higher stance.
In fact, AMC Eagles were the only passenger cars that had all-wheel-drive at the time of their production, which lasted until 1987.
Bower's AMC Eagle SX4 primarily runs rear-wheel drive, and has a dashboard switch that puts it in all-wheel drive. Its AWD splits engine power 50-50 between the front and rear wheels.
"In the snow, the traction in all-wheel-drive is just incredible," Bower said.
The engine is AMC's 258 inline-6. That's mated to a 5-speed transmission.
It also comes with a stock AM/FM/CB radio.
Asking price: $5,450
Listing: http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/5602555230.html
David Muller is the automotive and business reporter for MLive Media Group in Detroit. Email him at dmuller@mlive.com, follow him on Twitter or find him on Facebook.