Will it run? AMC Hornet hatchback V8. The most fun ever!

Part of our Alabama trip was an attempt to rescue a very unique car. It is a 1974 Hornet hatchback V8. What an adventure. We had so much fun we didn't want to leave!

[@The_local-Bellaa]

James Bond .. Man with the Golden gun. Famous corkscrew jump.

[@raylegg1728]

I could see it smiling, happy for the first time in a long time.

[@whattherust]

Right on!

[@juanpabloarena2724]

Every AMC deserves another chance! Applause and support from Argentina 👍

[@christinarust6957]

Thanks Juan! We appreciated the support. Merry Christmas!

[@VitoVeccia]

Hornets are why I got into amc. This is a great find.

[@whattherust]

Agreed. A rare car with and good looking. This car would be seriously fast with some engine mods.

[@charlesw.hopperjr.5236]

The Green Hornet Rules’A nice sporting car back in the day! Fun Video,Your Oregon Friend ☮️

[@josemsantiago7524]

I had the 72 Amc Geremlin X with the 304 3 speed manual. This car was very fast since it was very light. Loved that car I won many street races with it here in Chicago.

[@christinarust6957]

The owner told us he also had a Gremlin for many years and loved it! Thanks for watching Jose! Have a wonderful Christmas.

[@kevinjohnston4512]

I did too I had a 74 gremlin x3043 speed Levi edition

[@kj197734]

I am a lover of all AMC, any Pentastar brand, and Jeep/Eagle. That Hornet deserves at least to be a runner. That would be a super project car.

[@whattherust]

Definitely! I hope someone buys and gets it back on the road.

[@ZanyJIntPictures]

Ahh crawling in and out from under a vehicle; "OHHH MY BACK!!!!!!" Been there...

[@billdavis1730]

Back in college I had an orange 74 Hornet hatchback with the 258 six. What a great car! I think AMC's are under-rated. They were simple cars, easy to work on, and as you pointed out, mechanical parts were sourced from other manufacturers. AMC body and interior parts are unfortunately harder to come by than say a Mustang nowadays. Love seeing an AMC come back to life!

[@christinarust6957]

Thanks for sharing Bill. I agree! It was very easy to work on. We appreciate you watching. Have a wonderful Christmas.

[@rolandocurro9]

These cars we're true diehards. Dependable as all get out 💪.

[@kennethfeist5504]

Anyone know how much the car may sell for?

[@mpetersen6]

AMC built all their own engines and rear ends for the passenger cars at that time. The major mechanical component they bought was transmissions. Other components. Brake systems, ignitions, radios, steering columns. Yah, they bought those. On the brakes. Drums and rotors were done in house.

[@STAMPEED-ART]

@billdavis1730 I have the same car I'm working on. Its missing the gas cap do you know if it came with a plain one or the one with a hornet emblem?

[@daveouellette3933]

Back in the 1980s I had a 71 Horrnet wagon had a lot of fun with it......

[@stevehenri4719]

Richard you may not be a Master yet but still you are a Jedi! You must continue to learn the ways of the force!

[@Hackenbaker]

The quality of those Rambler American cars is incredible. Even so many years parked, the car is able to run again!

[@whattherust]

Right on.

[@renchjeep]

Love the Hornet Fastbacks! And an X with the 304? Super sweet! The extra parts are easy to explain....AMC guys like me will collect and hoard all the old AMC parts we can, since they are so hard to find, especially interior parts, lenses, glass, etc. I have 3 1974-1975 AMC Matador Coupes. Not many of those left in the world! Nice find on the Hornet X! Oh, and the clusters/instrument panels....the one mounted to the car has the optional clock, the one on the floor does not. The ignition switch with the keys is an aftermarket one, as the original ignition is on the column. I believe these used GM columns, like my Matador Coupes.

[@whattherust]

I have always had a soft spot for AMCs, and I really like this one. That 304 sounded awesome! Thanks for watching.

[@mpetersen6]

​@@whattherust The 304 can be opened up simply by overbearing. 125". Yes an eighth of an inch. The cylinder walls are that thick. Bumps up the displacement to 325. The 68/69 TransAm team used 290s bored out .094 for the needed increase to 5 liters.

[@klwthe3rd]

AMC guys are from a different breed. I love how they hoard as many parts as they can because they really love these old cars and want to see them live on.

[@HarborLockRoad]

My mom had a 73 coupe with trunk, and my dad had a 74 sportabout wagon. My uncle had a 75 4 door. All were six cyl automatic and copper color with houndstooth black n white cloth seats and copper vinyl trim. We had an amc dealer in town, herbert e. Wood and sons right by our house, so my family tended to buy there. I worked on many amc cars at vocational school, and the teachers called them " almost a car", because they used lots of various ford, chrysler, and gm parts , and it spelled amc! 😁👍

[@christinarust6957]

Thanks for sharing and watching! Almost a car...AMC...funny! Have a wonderful Christmas Dave.

[@lucaswardwell3177]

I love hearing about other Hornet owners. I still have a '76 Sportabout X with 258. There's many things AMC could stand for.

[@jesuslives4803]

I love it that you have your wife helping you, and agreeing as well that is so nice

[@whattherust]

Thanks, She is great.

[@stevehenri4719]

Welcome back Christine! We have all missed you! Your the Ying to Richard's Yang! You make videos fun!

[@whattherust]

She sure is.

[@steveproctor1748]

Those things were so reliable.

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

Someone needs to restore this car, and please keep it original. We need to save them for future generations to see. Please do not trash it.

[@BigkevdawgNSLBC]

Man I really love u guys and seriously she is really learning about cars I can tell with her dialect is right on the money about certain things she really pays attention and that’s awesome…..u 2 are great keep making videos and keeping me entertained thx!!

[@whattherust]

Thanks Kevin, that is a very nice comment. Merry Christmas.

[@pontiacssholden2032]

i remember a simular one in a James Bond movie,red and he jumped a canal in it,man with the golden gun i think,nice car chase too

[@danobrien3109]

This is hilarious, Richard, the Jedi Mechanic and Billy Bob the red neck who drives every vehicle like he’s in NASCAR. The lovely Christina on the camera. Hope you guys have a wonderful Christmas 🎄. Thanks for taking us along on your journey.👍🇨🇦

[@whattherust]

Glad you liked it Dan. It was a great time with great people.

[@mpetersen6]

The Hatchback model differed from the two door mainly in the Quarterpanels and hatchback. Nice clean styling.

[@arnel.832]

watching here phillipines

[@jasonjones5213]

I love the AMC's.That that 304 was a good engine.

[@whattherust]

Yes, a very good engine. It doesn't get enough credit.

[@robertvance1873]

Good job, AMC'S are starting to get a following I'm sure someone will buy it.

[@whattherust]

Thanks Robert!

[@brianbloom1799]

Guys Like I told vise grip garage, Get a Boat fuel tank, With a squeeze ball, and use that to run the car, You can put it on the front seat, with long hose, Great for getting fuel to these cars.

[@reedb9039]

Missed your beautiful co host introducing the video.

[@deepfreezevideo]

I'll take it. My wife had a Hornet, said it was a very dependable car, even in winter.

[@christinarust6957]

Hello friends! It immediately caught my eye when we arrived at the Studebaker. Have a wonderful Christmas and hope we are out your way one day!

[@jesterr7133]

That engine ran really well once you guys figured out the spark issue. That carb ran a lot better than I would have thought that it would.

[@whattherust]

Right, I expected carb problems, but they never surfaced!

[@manhead]

?

[@darrylyoes414]

"Can you see it?" "Oh yeah." "What's it look like?" "I can't see it quite yet." - Most married conversation ever.

[@daviddavis4444]

I was 13 when that car came out I do remember them but don't think their were that many of them a member of our church had the Hornet X and her son had the Gremlin X

[@bewilderment9268]

Went to school with a girl who had a LEVIS edition Hornet. Neat little ride.

[@MarkJoseph-vv4pj]

These guys are incredible. I wouldn't even know where to start.

[@whattherust]

Thanks Mark! We came across this Hornet by accident, and we are so glad we did. It was a lot of fun to get it going.

[@bruceschorr3926]

My mom had a 74 hornet 232 great car it was a 2door hatchback

[@davida.p.9911]

I'm gonna call this one "The Green Hornet" 😄😄 Another awesome runner! I'm glad the damage wasn't bad, that was a close one! Thanks for sharing and congratulations Richard! Great camera work Christina!

[@whattherust]

Thank you David. The Green Hornet is certainly appropriate. We got real lucky. There was only a small scratch after I cleaned up the paint. Thanks for the support and Merry Christmas!

[@gavinrewell9703]

There are some seriously interesting cars at that property! I hope there might be a re-visit to this property again for another revival. Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas to you both.

[@whattherust]

You're right Gavin. There is some very rare stuff there. We are going back soon to try and rescue some others soon. Merry Christmas, and thank you for watching.

[@kevinbarrett9615]

2dr V8, should be preserved for sure !

[@whattherust]

Definitely!

[@johnbrooke2764]

Neat, lovely vehicle!

[@diegograssisuarez3556]

Amazing job. Congratulaciones! Grettings from Uruguay 🇺🇾🇺🇾.

[@whattherust]

Thank you Diego!

[@noj2448]

Thanks for showing us this one. It's a "real honey". Sounds great. Whoever buys it might want to be careful. The "patina" might be the only thing holding the body together.🤣

[@whattherust]

Thanks for watching! It is actually pretty solid, much more so than the paint makes it look.

[@johnmontague4245]

Hi from Scotland. Nice video folks. It sounded pretty good, and idled well. I’m sure someone will be interested in restoring that, and keeping it on the road. There looked to be some other possibilities in the yard ? On to the next one I guess… In the meantime I hope you both have a great Christmas 🎄, and avoid all the crappy weather in the US just now. Looking forward to the next one. 👍

[@christinarust6957]

Thanks John, we appreciate you! Have a wonderful Christmas. Oh...and it was -1 this morning!

[@johnmontague4245]

@@christinarust6957 Thanks Cristina. -1 is Hawaiian Shirts and shades here in Scotland 😂😂😂. Enjoy the holiday season ..🥃🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿.

[@christinarust6957]

Really? Wow! I need to stop complaining 🙄

[@whattherust]

Thank you John. It is very cold here, -16 C, but it will warm up in a few days. There are a lot of other potential videos in that area. We will be going back! Stay warm John and Merry Christmas.

[@robertswain8665]

Now this content (V8) or (I8) is what I love to see. You did good.

[@whattherust]

Thanks Robert. I might have an inline 8 coming up soon. Not 100% sure yet.

[@jesterr7133]

It kinda reminds me of a Gremlin, but with a much bigger engine. That is a really cool and rare car. I'm glad the owner is deciding to do something with it. I'm an AMC guy. I love Javelins, Gremlins, and especially Eagles. Those things are awesome. My mom had a '73 Gremlin that was in 3 rollover accidents during the time that she owned it, and it barely had a scratch on it. I still have the owner's manual for it. AMCs are just cool.

[@whattherust]

Agreed, they are very cool!

[@johnbeaman1117]

A Gremlin could be had with that exact same engine.

[@kesterhively8773]

Oh man I love those cars I had a red one with black stripes V8 3 spd on the floor and I could really kick myself in the ass for getting rid of it lol

[@JerseyArtform]

Awesome car to save. Love these AMC’s

[@ronbunker5778]

That runs really well! You know how to pick them!

[@christinarust6957]

Thanks Ron! We appreciate you watching! Have a wonderful Christmas!

[@justinraystyles3537]

That hornet decided it wanted to be a ram too!!😁😂😂 glad no-one or nothing was hurt bad

[@rubenpazzaglia21]

Te felicito x la paciencia que tienes y las ganas que le pones a cada tarea,saludos desde Buenos Aires(Argentina)

[@christinarust6957]

Thanks Ruben! We appreciate you watching!

[@davidbetterton1382]

ive enjoyed yalls work so far so keep up the good work

[@whattherust]

Thanks for the support David.

[@larryg.9187]

Good job, hard work... Of all things... Jan. '24, I just bought a '73 AMC Hornet Sportabout Gucci X !!! So naturally, I enjoyed watching your clip ... 🇺🇸 ...

[@whattherust]

Awesome! The new owner has some videos of this same car on the KZbin channel CBRadioOperator.

[@emaal1248]

Ooh Christina my beautiful flower.

[@hensleyshobbies-doug7761]

Man, wished I had the moula, I'd like to have that, I like the old AMC cars, I've had a many of them over the years.

[@JanitBianic]

Your gloves are pretty remarkable 😂

[@bentighe4811]

Hornets had great lines.

[@ericsheppard8828]

Howard must have used his jedi mind trick to save the umbrella, another great job

[@whattherust]

Thank you Eric!

[@JunkmanGarage]

Love your videos! You are an inspiration!

[@whattherust]

Love your comment. Thank you for watching.

[@philipcollins5440]

This Hornet car was a lot of fun 😊 also great people to work with. Lov your videos. Merry Christmas 🎄⛄

[@whattherust]

Thank you Phillip! Merry Christmas!

[@cool62chev]

"Hit it with a hammer" Christina you're hilarious!

[@RobJ1929]

I am glad to see Richard is using the yoga mat, and the special gas can the gentleman gave you. Glad to see it fire up drive to the front yard. Happy that the both of you bringing cars back to life one more time. God Bless, and have a good day.

[@whattherust]

Thanks very much Rob. The yoga mat is fantastic. It works better than anything ese I have tried.

[@Barracuda48082]

Points..lol. add a dib of grease to the distributor cam for the points. Distributor was known for sleeve bushings, helix drive gear wear as well as motor oil seepage up around the shaft. Ohhh what a beautiful sound of my teen years.

[@stephransley4371]

Great job. Merry Christmas

[@christinarust6957]

Thanks Steph! Merry Christmas to you and we appreciate you watching!

[@ocmonman1]

50,965 miles? No way. And complete. That’s awesome. Wow! THE GREEN HORNET.

[@kenlassiter3107]

Hi it's Ken the clock guy. Watching your new video and noticed you replaced starter on passenger side. Howard said Hornet had the starter on different side than most. Really loved it. Good job by you and your videographer

[@christinarust6957]

Thanks Ken! Have a wonderful Christmas!

[@whattherust]

Hey Ken! I saw a pic of your Nash clock. Very nice! Merry Christmas.

[@kenlassiter3107]

@@whattherust Thank you, that Nash hubcap is big enough to use as a shield in battle, glad you like it

[@raybrindos4514]

Starter on my 70 gremlin was on the drivers side. Sometime around 72-73 they moved it to the passenger side.

[@somerandomguy3868]

The engine sounds great

[@stevehenri4719]

Christina ! You may not have a head for mechanics but you do have a. Pretty head and great personality!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@chrisrolfing3393]

I once owned a 1970 Hornet. 232 six and 3 on a tree 4 door sedan. Purchased it for $1k back in 1975. Sold it to my Navy recruiter later. I miss that car. It was good to me. Looks like a Gremlin that is complete.

[@whattherust]

My brother had that exact car in college. His was dark green.

[@brianandrews7099]

My aunt and uncle always had AMCs when I was a kid in the 1970s-1980s. I think they probably had one of each body style of Hornet at one time or another; and, later, even a few Eagles. I don’t think they ever bought one new but my uncle did buy them used at the local AMC dealership until the owner sold out his franchise and he seem to have slowly lost interest in AMCs and moved on to Chryslers by the mid 1980s. While my personal taste leads me more into 1960s Studebakers and I am not sure if I would ever stray when it comes to swapping cash for keys, I still have a soft spot for the old AMC Hornets and the 1965-66 Rambler Classics! I did own two Jeep Grand Wagoneers, though! One AMC and one Chrysler. The were both amazing and problematic. I loved having them but with fuel prices what they are today, I can’t say I would want another one.

[@whattherust]

I really like the old Hornets and the 1960 Rambler.

[@johnnyh409]

Have seen that done when a owner doesn't realize the starter is hug up engaged and keep on driving.

[@8THIRTEEN]

yep

[@whattherust]

Exactly.

[@hippydippy]

Cool car & nice job getting her running again.

[@whattherust]

Thank you for the continued support!

[@billylizzatruckingchannelandga]

What the Rust love That AMC Hornet My Dad Had one It was a Yellow Station Wagon

[@whattherust]

Thanks. This is a very cool car. It would look great with some nice paint.

[@brentharrison4970]

Good job !

[@christinarust6957]

We appreciate you watching Brent! Merry Christmas.

[@rescuedandrestoredgarage]

Cool old car great job getting this ride up and running. Some sweet old rides in that yard. Good to see another video from u both. Merry Christmas to you all.

[@christinarust6957]

Thanks friends! Have a wonderful Christmas and look forward to watching your videos in 2023!

[@rescuedandrestoredgarage]

@@christinarust6957 ty so much for your support. We both love watching you both lol.

[@johnclements6852]

Great job everyone, well done. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Christchurch New Zealand.

[@whattherust]

Thank you John. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[@occoldcomputersconsoles6590]

big softspot for AMC while i lived in canada i had a Jeep Cherokee 4.0 even though it was Chrysler that Jeep had AMC stamped all over it loved it

[@whattherust]

I like AMCs too.

[@juanpabloflores8179]

That is a nice body style. I like how AMC made differents cars with limited resources, based on the same platform.

[@whattherust]

Right, AMC did a lot with a little.

[@ericknoblauch9195]

​@@whattherustChrysler did it too with the K car platform. When Chrysler merged with them shortly after they were in trouble. It was AMC's Eagle platform that saved them. The LH platform came from AMC, and was used for the Concord, and New Yorker.

[@meandmybuddy964]

My mom drove one just like this when I was a little shyt same color too I sure miss my mother love em if you got yours still

[@davidharmier6518]

I had a 79 AMC Spirit AMX. It was a fun car. But it leaked like a strainer.

[@jackmehoffen4359]

AMC Hornet Javelins and Matadors pre 75 FTW...but post 74 AMC Hornets SST/AMXs are nice too

[@edmccormick8024]

Another Great Video

[@whattherust]

Thank Ed! We had a lot of fun with this one.

[@jeffrowlette]

Christina is charming ✨️

[@christinarust6957]

Thanks Jeff! Just being myself.

[@darrenhawken9766]

What a great pair , nice revival, smiles along the way , thanks for sharing , merry Christmas and jingle all the way 💨💨💨

[@whattherust]

Thanks Darren! Merry Christmas!

[@floridarusticrepairs]

I drove one of these a couple of times back in the 1980's. Hopefully this one gets a full restoration.

[@whattherust]

I hope so as well. It is a very cool car.

[@lessharratt8719]

Eagle body. I have owned these cars. They are great.

[@danswartwood4580]

Thank you for your APPRECIATION to your subscribers

[@christinarust6957]

Thanks for the reminder Dan. Have a wonderful Christmas.

[@nelsonramos7439]

Wow omg you got her running kool awesome v8 sounds strong definitely hope wonderful. Definitely injoy this kool 😎 I'm glad you saved her. Just subscribed love it.

[@whattherust]

Thanks for the support Nelson!

[@juanpabloflores8179]

One model like this was used in a 007 film to do the famous corkscrew jump stunt (I don't remember the name of the film, it was in the 70's starring Roger Moore if I'm not mistaken).

[@howardkoster4026]

You can see this car (in red) in the James Bond movie, ( The man with the Golden Gun). I took my driver's test in a new '74 Hornet 4 door...Memory Lane. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours.

[@christinarust6957]

Merry Christmas Howard! We appreciate you watching.

[@howardkoster4026]

@@christinarust6957 Much obliged!! I enjoyed a blast from my past with this Hornet. Unfortunately, the New Hornet I took my driver's test in was the 232 six..... Stay healthy, be well!

[@DependableAutoTruck]

another fun filled day with our friends

[@whattherust]

It wouldn't have happened without you!

[@babaninja9043]

Beautiful!

[@Ogsonofgroo]

This has made really miss the favorite car of my youth, a '74 Gremlin X with a 304, with its 3-speed Jeep transmission it'd float the valves at 90mph, but it got there really quick, totally ugly fun! Thank you for posting this adventure and a hearty cheers from BC Canada to you and yours!

[@whattherust]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

[@neildawson8576]

Good revival.MERRY CHRISTMAS to you two.

[@whattherust]

Thank you and Merry Christmas to you Neil.

[@dwightshupe195]

You have to adjust by pounding the cap on top of the starter moving the armature closer or take that cap off and push it down to ingadge the starter

[@DPalooza96]

Just incredible! You guys did it again using teamwork and know how. Very cool car.

[@whattherust]

Thanks very much Dino!

[@billgates-xr9hs]

It’s a shame they don’t make amc anymore

[@whattherust]

It sure is.

[@frankroper3274]

One of my first cars was an AMC Gremlin with a hatchback. The only issue I had with it is if it rained and I drove through water it would get in the distributor cap and cause it to crack. Definite engineering issue but it drove and handled well. It was either a 4 or 6 cylinder but def not an 8. That thing will haul ... if it is running right!

[@whattherust]

That's right. Even with the 6 they had power.

[@spencerjones635]

Must be fun and rewarding to work with an old timer like Howard.

[@whattherust]

It sure is. He knows so much about anything automotive.

[@andywalliams]

That is a nice car, it deserves some TLC. It would look amazing with a total rebuild. Well done again Richard 👍

[@whattherust]

Thanks Andy. I agree 100%.

[@charlessizemore5615]

I love that car.we had a red 1 and the 74 wagon ti

[@whattherust]

Nice! These are cool cars.

[@stevenwalters8557]

That's a cool find my dad had a hatchback hornet to orangish red it was a nice looking and decent running for a 6 cyl. Again nice car guys

[@whattherust]

Thanks Steven.

[@kramrenkluaf]

man with a golden gun ... bond film ... check out the hornet plus famous stunt ... great video ... merry christmas to both of you ...

[@christinarust6957]

Thanks Mark! Merry Christmas to you! We appreciate you watching.