AMC PACER

1975-’80: longer passenger door, but on the wrong side of the car Launched in early ’75 as America’s first wide small car, the Pacer was AMC’S bold attempt at taking on the growing band of economy imports and domestic compact rivals. Powered by a thirsty 4.2-litre V8, shoehorned in at the eleventh hour in place of the rotary engine it was designed to use, the ‘small’ Pacer was particularly ill-suited to the UK, being wider than a Bentley Corniche, longer than a Triumph Dolomite, and costing more than a Jaguar XJ6. AMC’S importer converted the Pacer to righthand drive, leaving the bulk of the steering gear on the left side of the car, and running a chain drive behind the dash from the (now right-hand) steering wheel to the top of the steering column, with a dire impact on the already lifeless steering. The Pacer’s party piece was its unique passenger door, 4in (101mm) longer than the driver’s to ease entry. For the UK the AMC retained its unequallength doors, resulting in the longer one being on the driver’s side, leaving the passengers to use the smaller door, making alighting a real challenge – particularly in tight British spaces. Anorak fact Negative press from the usually polite media helped to seal the car’s fate in the UK. Motor’s cover famously exclaimed: ‘We test the Pacer… and wish we hadn’t!’