1981 AMC Spirit GT Liftback 4.2L 4-Speed

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 

Out of a combination of a lifelong automotive passion and an unyielding desire to support the people of his Alabama community, the Generous Collection was born. Mr. Greg Rusk, a successful business leader in the cardboard industry, with a big heart for helping families and friends in times of need, would regularly pay overly generous fees to acquire an interesting vehicle. After decades of collecting and supporting local automotive enthusiasts, the Rusk family is ready for these vehicles, each with their own story, to write their next chapter back on the road, where they belong.

The Generous Collection debuts with Part 1 offering over 200 cars in October, all offered without reserve, emerging from years of long-term silent storage. Many additional lots will be offered in the coming months. From the quiet shadows of the Generous Collection to the sunshine of backroads and highways, enthusiasts now have the opportunity to own a piece of a generous car-collecting legacy.  

* * * 

“Spirit GT Liftback ... with the looks and manners of a true sports car.” The 1981 AMC Spirit GT was a sporty variant of American Motors Corporation’s subcompact Spirit, produced from 1979 to ’83. Built in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the Spirit was a restyled successor to the AMC Gremlin, sharing its platform but featuring updated styling and engineering. The GT package, available only on the liftback body style, was AMC’s attempt to compete with the likes of the Ford Mustang in the affordable performance segment. 

The GT trim included blacked-out exterior trim, styled wheels with radial tires, a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, Rallye gauges, a center console, and a deep-tone exhaust system. A separate rally-tuned suspension package added front and rear sway bars, heavy-duty shocks, and a quick-ratio steering box for improved handling. 

For 1981, the AMX model was discontinued, making the GT the top sporty offering. The Spirit GT could be equipped with either a 2.5-liter inline-four or AMC’s 4.2-liter inline-six, the latter redesigned that year to be lighter and more efficient. Though not a high-volume seller, the Spirit GT remains a unique example of AMC’s ingenuity during a challenging era for American automakers.

Highlights 

• Offered from The Generous Collection 

• Finished in Deep Maroon Metallic (1K) paint over tan vinyl bucket seats with multi-tone patterned cloth inserts (C5) 

• 258 cu-in (4.2-liter) inline-six rated at approximately 110 horsepower and 195 lb-ft. of torque.

• Four-speed manual transmission 

• The chassis number (1AMCM4350BK144729) decodes as: 

  • 1 – USA 

  • AM – American Motors 

  • C – Passenger car 

  • M – Spirit GT 

  • 4 – Two-door 

  • 5 – 258 cu-in inline six 

  • 0 – Check digit 

  • B – 1981 model year 

  • K – Kenosha (Wisconsin) assembly plant 

  • 144729 – Sequential production number  

Features 

• Two-door liftback with sunroof 

• Sporty trim with blacked-out accents 

• Bucket seats 

• Simulated woodgrain dash and door trim 

• Air conditioning 

• Center console with clock and gauges for vacuum, amps, and oil pressure 

• Leather-wrapped sport steering wheel  

• AMC AM/FM stereo with CB radio 

• Michelin Defender 195/70R14 tires 

Known Imperfections 

• While reasonable efforts were made during preparation for the sale, due to the volume of cars in this collection it was not possible to diagnose or detect all imperfections present in the cars. 

• Paint chips and scuffs 

• Scuffs on front bumper 

• Heavy scrapes on passenger rearview mirror  

• Driver’s side rear side marker is cracked 

• Sunroof exterior has been resealed 

• Steering wheel is worn and is taped at the bottom 

• Clock does not work 

Included 

• Spare tire with cover 

• Keys 

Ownership History

This 1981 AMC Spirit GT Liftback is offered from The Generous Collection of no reserve automobiles. With a build date of 11/1980, the car does not have a CARFAX. 

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.  

Contact: Ramsey Potts Phone: 912.508.4096 email: rpotts@hagerty.com

Alabama Sales Tax Notice to Bidders: Because this car is located in Alabama, the selling dealer may be required to collect and remit Alabama state sales taxes of up to 2% of the purchase amount, even if the buyer plans to register the car outside of Alabama, if (a) the buyer is located in AZ, CA, FL, IN, MA, MI, or SC (capped at $500 in SC), and (b) the buyer does not transport the car out of Alabama using a common carrier (e.g., if the buyer drives the car or transports the car out of Alabama on a personal trailer). Additionally, the selling dealer may be required to collect and remit Alabama county or city taxes from buyers located outside of Alabama, if (a) the buyer does not transport the car out of Alabama using a common carrier (e.g., if the buyer drives or transports the car out of Alabama on a personal trailer), and (b) the buyer fails to provide an executed Drive-Out Certificate for Nonresidents. For additional information, please consult this publication and your own tax advisor regarding sales taxes applicable to cars located in Alabama that are sold to residents of another state.

Please note that all lots in The Generous Collection are offered after many years of storage, without operation or service, in warehouse facilities. The seller endeavored to provide limited mechanical servicing to bring some cars back to running potential, however, not all cars will be running at time of sale. Because of the extended static display, it must be assumed that all cars will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely and, in most cases, cleaning to both the interiors and exteriors. All the cars will have imperfections associated with long-term static storage and require extensive sorting to perform best and safely. The burden of determining a car’s status, both mechanical and cosmetic, rests fully on the bidder, prior to bidding and the close of the auction. All lots are sold as is, where is. 

Additionally, due to the location of the collection and limited access to the facility following the close of the auction, all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Monday, November 3 through Wednesday, November 19. No cars can be retrieved prior to November 3 and any lots remaining after November 19 will be re-located outside in the parking lot for retrieval by their buyers.