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1981 AMC Concord DL: Copper-Toned Classic
I’ve always liked AMC. As a child of the ’80s and early ’90s, I remember Matador police cars in many movies and TV shows, and who could forget Hans Moleman’s Gremlin on The Simpsons, or the Mirthmobile, the baby blue Pacer from Wayne’s World?
I keep hoping to run across a Matador Barcelona sedan or Ambassador Brougham station wagon one of these days, but so far, no dice. However, it was really easy to see today’s featured Reagan-era woody wagon: It’s owned by a family friend, John Ringier.
John is a big AMC fan. In addition to today’s Concord DL wagon, he also is restoring a 1971 Javelin AMX, and used to own a dark green 1969 AMX with factory leather interior. He also has a 1973 Excalibur that was originally owned by the then-chairman of John Deere, but we’ll leave that car’s story for another time. Today it’s all about the woody wagon.
I’ve previously written up the inaugural Concord, which first appeared for the 1978 model year. While the new Concord was more refined, quiet and luxury-oriented, the basic structure was essentially the 1970-77 Hornet albeit with a shorter, more modern looking front clip.
As with the outgoing 1977 Hornets, ’78 Concords were available as a two door sedan, two door hatchback, station wagon (previously known as the Hornet Sportabout), and four door sedan.
By 1981, however, choices were down to the sedan, wagon and coupe—the latter with available landau top with opera windows, for the then au courant personal luxury coupe vibe. But by ’81 the Concord had been kind of eclipsed by the Eagle—essentially a Concord with four-wheel drive, raised ride height and a bold checkerboard grille.
But the Eagle wouldn’t have come onto the scene without the Concord. As the plush Ambassador had disappeared after 1974 and the Matador was gone after 1978, the Concord was the lone passenger car by 1981, other than the smaller two-door Spirit hatchback, which had a lot in common with the Concord anyway. And the Eagle, of course.
But there was no midsize AMC to compete with say, the Malibu and Cutlass Supreme, nor any full-sizers to offer for would-be Impala and LTD buyers.
So in 1981 the Concord was AMC’s largest, traditional family car. And as such it came in base, fancier DL, and top trim Limited models.
As the 1981 Spirit/Concord brochure told new car shoppers: “The 1981 Concord…a superior value loaded with standard luxury features and appointments for car-buyers who need compact size paired with fuel efficiency.
“Both the Spirit and Concord boast new improvements in styling and driveability. A distinctive re-designed grille. New deluxe-grained vinyl interiors. Glass-belted radial tires standard. Improved optional 4.2 litre 6-cylinder engine. Expanded choice of options and accessories. Eight new color selections.”
The DL wagon was available in either $6543 ($22,970 in today’s dollars) four-cylinder or $6679 ($23,450) six-cylinder versions. The extra-fancy Limited started at $6990 ($24,500) with the four or $7126 ($25,015) with the six.
For the frugal-minded, a plain Jane Concord wagon was $6144 ($21,500) with the four or $6280 ($22,050) with the six. Amongst all the trim levels, a total of 15,198 ’81 Concord wagons were built.
The Concord sedan was definitely the most popular body style, with 24,403 made—again, with all trim levels combined. Even the two-door sedan outsold the wagon, though not by very much: 15,496.
Though still considered a compact model, the Concord was getting pretty long in the tooth by 1981, especially with more modern and efficient models coming onto the scene—especially the GM X-cars and Chrysler K-cars.
Though considered rather bland and staid today, the 1981 Chrysler K-cars were revolutionary, offering front-wheel drive, decent room and space, yet very tidy dimensions at the same time. And the tonier LeBaron models offered all that plus extra chrome and plush interiors.
The result of all this was that the Concord was more or less a 1970 design—granted, steadily updated and revised over the years—sitting amongst a bunch of newer, tidier cars with more modern features and tech. The net result of this was that the Concord was discontinued after the 1983 model year.
Of course, AMC’s majority owner, Renault, surely was anxious to free up the lines for the new front-drive Alliance subcompacts—which didn’t turn out well for what many wags at the time called “Franco-American Motors.” Despite this change of direction, the 4×4 Eagle version continued to be offered and would remain in the line through the 1988 model year, believe it or not.
Despite its age, and its lesser status in the domestic car hierarchy compared to the Big Three, the Concord was still an attractive vehicle and a solid choice in 1981.
The wagon, in particular, is very pretty. And John’s car, finished in Copper Brown Metallic with Nutmeg interior, is especially sharp! And as nice and plush as it was, you could get even more luxury if you sprung for the Limited.
Among other flossy features, you got individually-reclining pillow-top seats in Chelsea leather, 18 oz. carpeting, luxury wood-grained steering wheel, wire wheel covers and more. However, per my 1981 Spirit/Concord brochure, the Limited interior was only available in Nutmeg—no blue, red, or black, sorry.
Though I hardly would complain myself. I love this interior color. And it complements the copper paint so nicely. SO much better than today’s uber-boring silver, black, and gray cars!
John found this amazingly well-preserved car about five years ago. Believe it or not, he got it for well under $1000—because it didn’t run. But long story short, he got it up and running in fairly short order, and replaced a couple of missing trim bits.
He also added the factory alloy wheels, which give it a rather purposeful look. As you’d expect, it gets a lot of attention in traffic, and a lot of people want to know what it is.
It’s awesome. That’s what it is.
These things were pretty common as a kid in the 80’s in Chicagoland.
The American Motors Ambassador Brougham Station Wagon I have. A beautiful 1972.
If you drove across country on Interstate 80 from east to west the chances of not seeing one of these on the highway is 99.9 percent, love the odd stuff like this.
This Concord wagon is great. The aluminum wheels and BFG white letter tires add a lot. And, a well-equipped DL wagon with manual roll-up windows is a huge plus. I like it a lot.
A buddy of mine had the 4wd Eagle version and it was one solid car. We drove lots of logging roads and similar and never had any issues. Another friend had a similar car to this one above and it was very reliable but a bit vague in feel for the sporting driver. Not sure why Rambler/AMC never got the respect it deserved as they built some great cars. Especially the Javelin/AMX. Older Ramblers, Ambassadors, Rebels, etc. Still good solid and reliable vehicles.
A beautifully proportioned compact wagon. The only thing close in looks and utility these days are high end wagons from Germany and out my financial reach. Now we have to settle for SUVs. Ugh!
I sometimes tell people that I’m a “recovering AMC fan”. During my teenage years, my father was a die-hard AMC buyer. He considered cars as transportation appliances and bought the most basic version he could find. That is, until he factory-ordered a Pacer Wagon. I used to beg him to buy a “real car”…whatever my teenage self thought that might be. Now I own a ’64 Rambler Ambassador, ’78 Concord D/L coupe, and an ’83 Eagle sedan. If I take any of them to car shows, I get inundated with curious and baffled visitors. Wish I had a dollar for every time someone asks “is that a Chevy?, or “what’s AMC?”. I truly enjoy sharing the history of a brand that never got the credit it deserved.
My Dad was a car salesman for AMC in Regina, Saskatchewan from 1979 to about 1983. I remember these cars very well as he always had a demo to drive. He sold one to many members of my family, my sister had a Spirit ,my brother in-law had a Concord,my grandpa had a Concord and my first car was a used 1975 Hornet.
I would love to find a clean one like the one in the article,I never see them now!
my wife bought a new Gremlin in 1973, nice car but when a lifter collapsed on the 258 six, I had to pull the head to replace it, no side covers like a Chevrolet straight six.
These, and the Hornets before, were always great-styled wagons.
I worked at a Pontiac, Datsun dealership in Rochester N.Y that added AMC, Mazda ,Boats and Motorhomes in the late 70s to early 80s what a great time when the Eagle came around I was amazed at the 4wd car and wanted one.but working for somewhere around 5.00 per hour as a lot man in the early years that wasn’t going to happen.