Paging Garth and Wayne: 1978 AMC Pacer DL Wagon V8





























Before we begin, I would like to acknowledge that I am aware that in Wayne's World, Garth drove a Pacer hatchback. Having said that, this AMC Pacer DL wagon definitely looks like something Garth and Wayne would cruise around in. A 1978 model, this DL wagon is a factory V8-equipped model and comes with a rare Carl Green fiberglass wide body kit. Find it here on eBay in Thurman, Ohio, with a little over nine and half hours left to bid.



























Initially available as a two-door hatchback, a two-door station wagon was added to the Pacer lineup for 1977. Measuring six inches longer and weighing 76 pounds more than the coupe, the Pacer wagon featured a squared-off back and almost upright side windows. This Pacer wagon is a 1978 DL model, and is one of 13,820 station wagons built for 1978. Painted silver, there is a bit of rust on the inside of the driver's door and on the firewall, and the windshield is cracked, but the seller mentions a parts car with a good windshield, though the buyer will have to remove it. I personally don't like the side exhaust, and while the Ansen-style wheels are cool, I would swap them out for a set of AMC Rally wheels and caps or a set of aftermarket wheels from the 1970s. As previously mentioned, a NOS Carl Green fiberglass wide body kit is included with the sale to the highest bidder, and it is the only one known to exist specifically for the Pacer wagon. I would mount on the body kit, add some wild 1970s graphics, swap in the windshield from the parts car, and address the rust.




























Though a 258 straight-six was standard on the Pacer station wagon (fun fact: the Pacer was originally supposed to be powered by a Wankel rotary), this Pacer wagon is powered by the H-code 304 V8, one of 2,514 Pacers built as so-equipped. Rated at 130 horsepower and 238 lb-ft of torque, the 304 is no powerhouse, but is very easily tuneable for extra power. Backed by a three-speed Chrysler-sourced Torqueflite automatic, the engine turns over, but has not run for several years. Before the car was parked, the transmission was overhauled, but work stopped due to the seller's father being diagnosed with cancer (he is the owner of the car). I would get the 304 running again, throw some performance parts and AMC bling at it, add a Gear Vendors overdrive unit to the Torqueflite, and down the road source and swap in a 343, 390 or 401 and swap in a manual transmission. 



























Inside, the interior has seen better days, and needs a bit of addressing. The carpet is basically shot, so that will need replacing, and the driver's seat was swapped out for a power leather seat (the original driver's seat and the other leather seat are included with the sale). I would swap the two-spoke wheel for a three-spoke wheel a la the AMX, and I would redo the stock seats similar to the Levi's interior, but in black. Though a bit needy, this Pacer wagon would be a perfect winter project for any car enthusiast, and the areas of addressing are pretty minor. I could see this car rolling out of the garage in the spring and headed to a local car show. What are your thoughts on this rare, V8-equipped Pacer wagon?
Location: Thurman, Ohio

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