Super RARE 1983 AMC Eagle SX4 - Will it Run? 4X4 Hatchback SAVED From Shredder!

I stumbled upon this incredibly rare 1983 AMC Eagle SX/4 on my way to pick up another project that didn't pan out. Finding this 4 Wheel Drive Eagle saved my trip, and in turn, I saved it from certain doom in that scrapyard! The AMC Eagle SX/4 was a car decades ahead of its time. It offered a sports car body with increased ground clearance and a four-wheel drive powertrain, creating an entirely new automotive genre overnight. This has been a long-time bucket list car of mine - and now I have one! Let's see if we can breathe a little life into it! Will It Run?
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[@JunkyardMook]

That thing is SWEET! I'm so glad you saved it

[@PoleBarnGarage]

I'm so excited!

[@hampter2005]

Hampter

[@user-rv4uk5me3u]

Hey Mook,how much does Kevin wishes he found this first lol

[@paulhoskins7852]

Totally! Nicest one I've seen!

[@73honda350]

AMC was the last of a different breed of car companies and hung on through its last 20 or so years by determination, scrounging and making that absolute most of the resources and models available. They didn't have the capital of the big three engineering, technology and model development. My first car was a 1971 gremlin with a 232 I6. It was mainly late 50's and early 60's auto tech but it was a tank, durable and easy to work on and repair.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

AMC was the OEM backyard car builder, I respect them a lot for that

[@Mr49Studebaker]

As a big AMC fan I am definitely excited to see you save that sweet little eagle.

[@houstonhensley9324]

I drive past that junkyard every day. I noticed the eagle was gone, good for you.

[@ae86hachi]

For that price I'd call that a steal. What an awesome little find! Congrats dude!

[@SoY_7]

From what I've been studying from that SX4 it's like really good. It's my belief as a Christian and my experience when a good product comes to market our enemy called Lucifer WILL do His best to make sure He gets rid of said product. I started watching Vice Grip Garage when he first came out.

[@SoY_7]

I liked his channel cause he don't sexual jokes like most mechanics do. I was a diesel mechanic in the US Army 8 years. Sir what I'm trying to say without offended ppl these days Jesus Christ is coming back quicker than soon according to KJV Holy Bible. I'm sick seeing good hearted ppl that live their entire without Salvation through Jesus Christ we can't go to Heaven.

[@SoY_7]

I'm not the nicest person and I have Jesus Christ. So when I see good hearted ppl already doing Yahweh's will without being saved it hurts me cause we already doing good hearted things without Jesus Christ sometimes. This message is

[@SoY_7]

Is for you you tube creator mainly and anyone else who reads all my messages without hate in you're hearts imo is the only way we can we can decipher scripture. I say all out of concern not hate like most people who claim to be serving Yahweh. I wrote all these messages cause I don't who of is saved and born again. And you creator this now my favorite channel bro you are the real budget channel! As I was writing this message you're video was ending.

[@pstrass6353]

That eagle was made in Kenosha, right down the road from me. It is great to see a guy who respects this older engineering get a gem like this.

[@bradrichards6107]

Wow, what find, Dalton. That car is rarer than an honest politician. The plaid headliner was a nice touch by AMC.

[@ChipW]

Oh, there are some memories. I miss my old AMC eagle wagon. GREAT find. Can't wait to see more on this one.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

I missed mine too! I won't make the same mistake again

[@leekosinski290]

I was just telling my wife I miss mine too!

[@brandaneakright6082]

Awesome score honestly that’s a really cool car worth saving, sucks about the 59 wagon but worked out in the end. Definitely want to see this thing back on the road, it’d make a cool rally car build.

[@digschopper9321]

2000some built and you want to beat the bag out of a rare classic. Right.

[@0PsychosisMedia0]

This is a car you restore to the point you can drive it on a regular basis but keeping it well maintained. One lucky find. gratz man!

[@irvinlewis5022]

That giddy laugh while looking at the car was awsome. Sounded like a kid getting a new puppy. Awsome find!

[@TheREALOC1972]

I'm glad to see AMC's getting some love. My next door neighbor is building a 76 AMC Hornet for his sons first car. It was originally the Great Aunts car that got passed down to a cousin and then passed down to the son. When they first got it it ran and drove but that was about it, They are pitting a V6 out of a 90's Dakota in it and then repainting it silver and having the interior redone in something close to red that came with. It'll be a nice and cool little car when they get it done.

[@NJRangerGeorge]

Wow what a cool little car. Its like a cross between a 70s muscle car and 80s sports car. Nice find.

[@BFKAnthony817]

Oh man, this isn't even the fastest model that they produced! They even made a lowered RWD version with sick body kit on it that looks amazing. While I love these so much, the aero package on the AMC Spirit AMX is super rare. It is a different model name, but it is literally the same body with a bad ass Firebird TA style Eagle decal on the hood and sick aero. This body style came in tons of different trim levels. They had 4 door hatches, wagons, convertibles you name it. Even a 2 door shortened hatch version which was based on the redesigned Gremlin which was the base for the platform. Hell they even had a unique looking 2 door sedan with more of a traditional notchback and trunk. Very cool and versatile platform and highly underrated! Believe it or not this car platform was used from

[@petejohnson8397]

​@@BFKAnthony817I had an 83 amc spirit gt from 1994 to 2000. Loved that car. had quite a few mods on the 258 including 10 to 1 compression, headers, duals etc.

[@mrt7152]

An AMC? That got my attention :) what a cool find. Never heard or saw this model.

[@lancemclean9273]

Every car needs someone to love it. This car is glad you exist. They made 2600 for a reason😂. I totally dig you saving it though

[@2koolchris291]

Damm that’s a badaass car. I really love those old amc eagles because they are cool

[@lautburns4829]

This little Eagles are so much fun. I had 4 all at one time. Great in the snow.

[@mightymikethebear]

When an old buddy of mine was in the Air Force this is the first new car he bought. It is a cool car and it is rare.

[@Iamthestig42069]

I had an 84 wagon as a first car because it was free. Was sitting in a field in central Montana and I got it running and driving. Fantastic winter car that’s also a classic! 4.0 5speed sx4 would be a budget rally car

[@e.s.bryant765]

I love it!! If you decide to sell it I would buy it in a heartbeat.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Never!

[@BillyBob-uc9zp]

Got a manual semi back 50 miles to the yard before without a clutch. Pop it in first and turn the key. The rest of the gears is just good timing!!. Just looked an amc eagle sx4 up online and there going for 7k ish. So 8 fiddy's a bargain. Good find. Enjoy ❤

[@mcdonaldm73]

Clutch cylinder replacement is a Wilwood item 260-6088 should be a bolt in. It's the Girling style so it should work. Bolt holes, diameter of 0.7 inches, everything is close to a perfect match. Hope this helps.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Yep that's what I ordered! You AMC guys are great help

[@trolleybarn2614]

Your enthusiasm is contagious. I'm really looking forward to seeing the videos on this car.

[@caleb-vincent]

That same car (but red) was our family car in the late 90s. Then around 2000 we turned it into our snowplow. . . I need to find some pictures of that. Even though it was a vacuum leak nightmare I wish I still had it. But, it's good to see one alive.

[@stevenvalentine9810]

Glad to see an AMC saved from the crusher! Can't wait to see the Eagle up and going

[@waynedavis7245]

Those Eagles were built like tanks. A very good find .

[@proto1132]

That little amc is in really nice shape, it still has all the factory stuff and all the interior pieces. Cannot wait to see how it does in the future.

[@peanutbutterandjammy]

If I'm not mistaken, Willwood makes universal aftermarket clutch master/ slave cylinders that you could adapt to this little rig.

[@KurtClark]

Way ahead of its time!! In the early 1980s I took over a pari of car-sized newspaper routes from a guy who had one of these - plus a station wagon 4x4 Eagle for his wife. I immediately think of him when I see the car. Thanks for sharing!

[@jasonbose3507]

I can't believe how lucky you get, an awesome AMC just landed in your lap! Good job and that Weber set up can be a screamer, good luck!

[@anthonyblacker8471]

To just come across something like that, sitting on top of a box truck, just waiting for you to see it.. It's almost like it's meant to be. Or, it IS meant to be. Great find man!

[@Tumbleweed_Tx]

It should have the same master cylinder as the Jeep Cherokee if it has a hydraulic throwout bearing. My high school English teacher had one of those cars she bought new in '83. You scored on this one!

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Cherokee uses integral reservoir, no room for it in eagle.

[@rustednbustedmopars6087]

A sx4 IDENTICAL to yours just got scrapped at the junk yard I work at. Complete original car

[@Chris-pq8oj]

my oldest son has a very nice sx4 and I sent him this so he could watch and he was flipping out it has a lot of hard to find options on it . great find keep up the great shows 👍💯👍

[@COOPERS_COACH_WORKS]

There's definitely some fun to be had here!

[@originalpunkSxE]

I had one of these as my second car! Mine had an Iron Duke 4 cyl. NO POWER at all, but it was a cool little car. Wish I could save them all, glad you stumbled onto this one!

[@geebopbaluba1591]

Junkyard Digs would be proud of your purchase!

[@PoleBarnGarage]

He is

[@scottstone686]

Glad you could appreciate what a cool find this was. Great price for an oddball of a car! These were odd and quirky, but with a lot of mojo. I don't believe I've ever seen one in the metal. Would love to see more vids on this car.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

I'm going to be very passionate about this build

[@mikebarnes8908]

I remember those when they were new! Love AMC!

[@wolfgangricky]

Production was 2259 for SX4 lift backs in 1983. Meaning you got a deal/steal. I have been looking out for an '85 Eagle Wagon. Just like the upgrades from introduction to 85, Good looking out, Ty for taking us along

[@DoItMyselfGarage]

Always loved the AMC brand. First car was a 1973 AMC Hornet Station Wagon. Was great for hauling my model airplane around. Lost mine to a stuck float, so yeah be careful with the fuel. :)

[@bobadam7021]

That sure looks like a 4.0 out of late 80's early 90's cherokee. Those motors were originally fuel injected, but it was all done through the intake, and the older intakes for the carb kit bolted right up to the head. I was going to mention the Wilwood master, but you got it.

[@jasonjohnson6344]

I had an 83 SX-4 Sport. 5 speed. Very cool car and an amazingly tight turning radius. I got an offer I couldn’t refuse and have regretted selling it. It was in as new condition after 20 years. At least it left town and I don’t have to see it. Very cool cars. Bright cherry red.

[@janeames1513]

what a cool find , i haven't seen one on the roads in probably 20 years or better.....that kid in the candy store giggle says it all..can't wait for you to give this ole girl the proper love she deserves..gonna be a helluva nice daily and probably cheaper on gas than any other 4X4...

[@Mr5speed]

Great score on the Eagle!!

[@batmanrules592]

I bought an 83 sx4 a couple years ago 4.2 with a t5 with no clutch MC either. I got mine from Kennedy American and made our own reservoir. That is an awesome find for a steal. The rally gauge (ones by the shifter) are pretty rare. Also if the tac works that pretty rare too

[@PoleBarnGarage]

It works but it's off. Noise filter maybe

[@1977jed]

What a great find! I just saved an AMC Eagle wagon from a demo derby and am gonna daily drive it...

[@Project_Low_Expectations]

The wagon was a very good looking car that took a while to look dated. The 4 door sedan and the gremlin lookin one, both ugly. But the Sx4 and the wagon were both good looking rigs

[@thecollectoronthecorner7061]

Just subscribed to your channel. Why not make a video of your Eagle?

[@Project_Low_Expectations]

@@thecollectoronthecorner7061 He will likely have many episodes on it

[@1977jed]

@@thecollectoronthecorner7061 Its coming up! Been sick with the Rona

[@jeremywilliams4381]

I've got an 82 eagle sx4, a buddy down the road has an 83 sx4. Him and i combined have about 45 amc/Kaiser era jeeps. Huge AMC guys we are. Great score on that eagle. Amc was way ahead of their time. Amc made that 4x4 car 17 years before Subaru made it popular.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Thanks! I'm glad people still love these

[@zimmlock]

drove a 1973 AMC Gremlin with a 3.8 liter 6 cilinder from 1985 until 1995, realy easy cars to work on, but the funney thing is AMC reused parts in all the cars they made, like the door handle, you findit on this Eagle, the Pacer the Gremlin the Matador and so on, i see the dashboard is almost the same as the Gremlin dash. I realy liked the Gremlin and still regret i sold it, have no money to get me a other one. But very good you gona save this Eagle gem AMC is getting very rare.

[@doubleq1223]

What an absolute freaking gem! Been getting recommended videos of this thing from your channel, figured I’d start from the beginning. God, I love your channel man. Keep up the great work.

[@joshuadille5005]

Omg that is so cool wish i was still driving my uncles.! It was black 34,000 miles and looked brand new!! The clutch started slipping and was parked for a year and he junked it before I could grab it ! Man now you got my attention!!! Lol im excited about this one!! Sorry JD your dad has the cool car now !!! Lol freaking awesome man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Dude I'm so stoked to work on it. I gotta get that Roadrunner running first, then it's all eagle

[@clstjam4321]

I always loved those old Eagles. IMHO, the Eagle was the fore father of the mid-sized Cherokee and Grand Cherokee. With a little lift you can fit 33s under those things making them a blast off road. Good luck with it bro, that was an awesome find.

[@troytaylor9228]

Great find! Same exact model and color I owned that I bought new in 1981. I still have the sticker from the window and the VIN! You should read me the VIN on that cause I may have once owned it! That would be really cool to find out you found my first new car!! Good luck with it. Mine had the four banger Iron Duke motor.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

It's an 83 so unfortunately I doubt it

[@rawen777]

Nice find, looking forward to see more of it .

[@joegiusep]

Fantastic find! Such a rare car too, can't wait to see it back on the road after being so close to death.

[@RattyFlyer]

When i was a kid i first saw a 4 wheel drive amc at jelly stone campground in silver lake and it blew my mind that a car could be 4 wheel drive lol. That 2 door is a sweet little car.

[@Vile-Flesh]

All right, this time I'm jealous. I am sooooooooo JEALOUS. I've got 5 cars I'm paying insurance on and you were already making me want to get more then you go and get THIS. The last time I saw one of these on the road was in 1997 when I was working at a grocery store, it was a red SX/4. I'd still rather have the Eagle wagon. That SX/4 you found is a total daily driver.

[@rdbrnr86gt]

Those cars were awesome IMO. I'd happily climb behind the wheel of one of those things any day. Windows down, arm out the window, shifting gears and going places you wouldn't have imagined a car going back then.

[@laruegeigerjr1368]

Awesome find Brother. I always wanted a Gremlin X. They are Cool little cars. AMC made some really awesome cars in their day. They even snuck out some cool muscle cars to.

[@Spike9803]

Excellent Score!!! Always keep your eyes open. As you well know this is a Jeep chasse with an AMC hatchback body... The drive train parts are everywhere and available forever! No wimpy-ass unibody, this car has a full frame and it is stout! The worst thing about this car is it has Jeep gas mileage. This is one badass hatchback! Nice to see you are enthusiastic about the car because this is a GREAT buy on a smokin' ride. Well done. AND, best of all, it's easy to see that this car was loved. I know you will fix up this ride, it's keeper. Sweet!

[@PoleBarnGarage]

These are unit body cars actually. Based on hornet, not jeep

[@bryco32]

OMG!!! I am here for all of this!! Love AMC's!

[@blodhemn413]

Super cool car and a helluva deal. Looking forward to seeing what happens with her.

[@salty__kansan]

I always loved the look of the AMC eagles but never knew they had that body style. Its freaking sweet got a subscriber just from this car.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Hey I don't blame you, it's just awesome

[@seanfritz1355]

I would love to know how that body survived. Missouri winter, highway department isn't kind. And to have that thing not be a home for metal worms. You sir scored.

[@Project_Low_Expectations]

They held up pretty good… actually rather awesome. This was one that AMC actually nailed it on.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

They were all ziebarted from the factory, really worked

[@Project_Low_Expectations]

@@PoleBarnGarage * PROPERLY * Ziebarted. Up here in Ohio I see that sticker in the window and they are either super clean, or returning to Mother Earth… absolutely no in between.

[@davidroberson8030]

Always the possibility that somebody out in the desert owned it and it just ended up there the last couple of years depending on how long it's been there just a thought man.

[@ramanpreciado2241]

Wow, you got that right. Must been those people who cleaned it well or garaged in winter weather mostly.

[@robertgembala8532]

Great find, going to be fun

[@classiccopcars]

When I got my Comanche with the 4.0 it had sat for years, had to pull the oil psi sender for it to purge the air bubble preventing pressure buildup. Might be worth trying!

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Oh it was just empty. So that's good

[@garylewellen4241]

First time to your channel. Couldn't have came across at a better time. I love the 4.0 straight 6 engine. Beautiful car! What a find!

[@T_Burd_75]

That AMC is in amazing condition! I can't wait to see you get that one on the road.

[@matthewmauk8890]

Thats so freaking awesome 👌, I haven't seen one since I was 8 or 9. I'm 40. Thanks for the up close look. I have always wanted to know, now I do! Hope you keep it and off road the sweet thing!

[@fyou5986]

Cool find and it runs. Junk yard digs had a couple on his show. Took it to a jeep meet did some 4x4ing. Goods luck. .from Sweden.

[@jayh4185]

Awesome find ,so glad to see it running. 👍👍👍😃😃😃

[@Jake-im2lv]

What a cool little car. Love the little duck tail spoiler. Would be a fun daily driver. I think some rear window louvers would look good on it

[@scottcol23]

WOW! That's how you do it. You never know what you might find out in the middle of nowhere. Most ppl might think, ah its not for sale or they probably want a lot for it. Im thinking he put it up there to keep it from getting hit by a loader and you can see it over the tall fence. $800 was a STEAL! You can get a rebuilt title on it. A buddy of mine back in high school had a AMC Eagle wagon Cream on Orange (same color as yours except the rockers and arches were orange) That was a fun car.

[@2509498788]

You can hear the excitement in your voice and in your laugh.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Wanted one for a decade!

[@2509498788]

@@PoleBarnGarage you have good frequency my friend. This car was put on a pedestal for you. Keep us posted on the progress..

[@TheTubeTube2]

How amazing! I really enjoyed that bit of rare luck.

[@2koolchris291]

So yesterday I passed my drivers test and decided to go and swap out my spark plugs in my 93 Ford F-150 and drove it on the dirt road in my backyard and I’m happy to say she runs better on the new old stock motor act spark plugs. She apparently has a limited slip.

[@jerryb1234]

Not exactly my cup-O-tea, but I can appreciate your excitement,😉👍, awesome video guys, thanks for sharing.

[@Johnnymidnight]

This car is rad, what a friggin score that it already has speed parts! And it’s a stick!! Can’t wait to see this thing on the road 🤟🏽😎🤟🏽

[@NoWr2Run]

DAMN, That's a nice EAGLE, ALWAYS WANTED 1 OF THEM. GREAT FIND, REALLY GREAT FIND.

[@theviking363]

Awesome find !!! That'd go great with my 80 CJ 5..and camed? Fine body..whew what a day!! Happy for ya man!!

[@bigcountryjd]

I love those sweet little hatchbacks. Good find

[@MadScientistGarage]

You scored on this thing. I've got a 72 Sportabout and an 80's 5 speed Eagle in my fleet now.

[@rajcam80]

I remember those cars when they where new. I was just kid then. I thought they where pretty cool!

[@troyrunyan249]

Excellent! I have always liked those, I only rode in one once back in the late 80's. That is a great find and in great shape!

[@billdursa4976]

Great find. I've got a 1980 Spirit that I put an SX-4 front suspension clip under to make an 80s style STREET FREAK. Worst case scenario, use the Vermont title clause Uncle Tony mentioned in one of his videos early this year.

[@vagabond96h]

It has the front and rear bumper ends and all the cladding. Kinda rare today.

[@rocktoonzz]

AMC things! Love it!

[@ChainsawFPV]

I just scored a 77 AMC Concord Hatchback. Lol But with a 360, T5, and Ford 9 inch. Fun little car.

[@65blablabla]

Wow lucky ,man i remember the days when i wouldn't even look at that car,but now i would love to own one.

[@jeffpowers2916]

Should be pretty cool rig when you get her going Dalton!!!

[@PoleBarnGarage]

I think so! This is one I'm keeping for a long long time

[@BareRoseGarage]

We used to call these Frogmen, because they looked like a frog ready to hop.... lol Good Find Man!

[@lioneltaylor9573]

Now that I found the 1st video about it I understand your reply on my comment and I agree 100% that it's something worth keeping as the going to town rig. Look forward to you giving it the TLC it needs.

[@josephbroussard5851]

My dad had the amc eagle wagon I love that car love to see more of it

[@pcbullets8726]

Definitely a rare ride. Nice score!

[@brianwolf692009]

I've been looking for one of those for a long time. Glad you were able to save it from the crusher. Fix it up and have lots of fun with it.

[@glennc7201]

I had a deal to buy a new one back around 1981,it was black,and silver. I opted to buy a used trail duster instead,I didn't regret it at the time,but sort of wished I had bought it over the years,I remember telling a guy I work with about these about 5 years ago,he said didnt know Suzuki had cars in the states back then😔

[@warsnerf]

Wow I cant wait to see you get this thing screaming around the roads!

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Me either. I'm jumping it

[@blacksrt8300c]

I had a new 81 back then, one thing that surprised me was I hit a 6” puddle and the car started missing half the cylinders because the distributor was halfway down from top of engine and easily got water in it. Mine was full time 4wd it didn’t have the switch to go 2wd, fun car easy to work on.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Little rtv around the cap fixes that, been there lol

[@blacksrt8300c]

Never thought of that, I just avoided water and got good at removing cap and drying it out. That 83 does bring back memories. I drove mine thru a lot of snow, one time I parked it at work in a snow bank at end of work drove it out only to find out brakes were not working they were all frozen so I drove it a few miles while holding down brakes to heat defrost them, lol stupid 20 yr old me.

[@Travis7109]

Check the rear axle and see if it’s been welded where the diff meets the axle tubes. They were just pressed in from factory so they were known to twist relative to the diff. If they aren’t welded I’d recommend welding them.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Good call with added power

[@Travis7109]

@@PoleBarnGarage it’ll be a pretty sweet car. We’ve got two that we’re putting together to try to make one decent restomod. It’s GM 307 swapped. With a dual quad intake and a ford 9” rear

[@MonteD1]

Love the Eagles. Good find! (Glad I found your channel.)