American Motors in Sørum

Great diversity

American Motors Corporation (AMC) is a piece of automotive history with branches in Norway. You have to be a little "old" to understand what this is. Gremlin, Pacer, Hornet, Javelin, Matador, Concord, Eagle are some of the model names under AMC. AMC was originally formed in the 50s on the basis of Nash and Hudson. On the way, they had, among other things, taken the Rambler with them. In the 80s, the Renault 5 "Le Car" was sold via AMC dealers in the USA. Renault had bought into AMC. In the 80s I once rented an American version of the Renault 9, called the Alliance. Compared to the Chevettes that were then used as rental cars in the USA, the Renault was a very pleasant acquaintance. It was the first time I drove a Renault with air conditioning and automatic transmission.

Overview of brands that 'disappeared' - Eights Amcars Club (EAC)

Renault out and Chrysler in

Renault never became a big hit in the US. Moreover, as is well known, they had problems at home in France. The end of visas was that Chrysler bought in and took over what little was left of AMC. Today, only the brand name Jeep is preserved, which is probably now under Fiat.

Rare cars

Today, AMC is "super weird" as one Instagram follower commented, when I posted the picture of the AMC Concord. I remember well that AMC was marketed in Norway, but they only got a small market share. It is therefore pleasing that all cars that can be recovered from the brand have been taken care of through the car club Eights Amcars Club (EAC), which aims to preserve the American car brands that did not belong to the big three blocs, - GM, Ford and Chrysler Corp.

When I passed Eights Amcars Club at the weekend, they had visits from AMCs, Ramblers and Jeeps. There were two Javelins - which were AMC's "Pony Car". The Concord is similar to - or was a precursor to - the later Eagle, - the first SUV/Crossover that we know today. It was a car that was not only ahead of its time in mechanical concept and design, but is also sought after today. There were no Eagles to see at Sørum this weekend, but several great Ramblers. I remember there were a couple of them as taxis in my home town.

AMC for Nordic conditions?

Hollywood has always had a stereotypical relationship with cars. Good, God-fearing Americans drive Oldsmobiles or Fords. Greedy, unsympathetic people like to drive Mercedes-Benz. Saab and Volvo are driven by intellectuals, - often with psychopathic features. AMC/Jeep is driven by sons of the forest in Canada shirts. Such guys like to drive Jeep Cherokee, Comanche, J2 or AMC Eagle, possibly Concord or Hornet.