By Jim Brennan
Genre: A class or category of artistic endeavor having a particular form, content, technique, or the like: the genre of epic poetry; the genre of symphonic music. Automotive customizations have gone through many genres over the decades, and there are fans of each niche. There are Hot Rods, Street Rods, Low-Riders, Tuner-Cars, Rat Rods, and on and on and on. This Pacer seems to take a piece from each period, and combine them on one of the most questionable cars ever offered to the public. The Question is this: Does it work, and is it Desirable?
In the 1950s, an artist by the name of “Von Dutch” began striping cars artistically in California. His genre of pin striping matte finished Hot Rods and Customs is transformed onto this Pacer. Almost every line of the car is accented, along with the hardware of each door and hatch. On the hood of this car is an illustration of a Skull and Cross Bones with the obligatory “flames” that you might find on any of today’s “Rat Rods”. The Baby Moons and White Walls were must have items with the Customs of the late 50s.
The Battering Ram bumpers of the Original Pacer have been discarded and in their place is a set of tubular steel fabricated bumpers similar to the form used by the early Bonneville Salt Flat racers used when being pushed on their way to a record setting run. In the back there is a large exhaust outlet which pays tribute to today’s “Fart Cans” used on Tuner Cars.
And the inside pays tribute to many different car cultures, from the two tone vinyl bench seats of the 60s, to the chrome chain link steering wheel found in many low-riders, to the 70s pimpalicious red shag carpeting used on the floor, this Pacer has every era of car customization you could ever want.
According to the listing, it even singles out the Concourse de’Lemon!
1976 AMC PACER no detail spared, concourse DE ‘ LEMON, perfect for any event, a real coffee table conversation starter, from the cool paint job and pin striping, skull shift knob, reversed chrome wheels and baby moon hub caps.
Offered at $8,995, which I think is a bit on the high side, but remember this is Motor Cars of Hollywood so someone with enough cash to burn could pick it up for their kid. See the listing here.
Jeff Glucker
Obviously it works for somebody.
Let's call it a product of completely random synapse firing.
While this Pacer is a work of art, I like the curves of this one a little better
<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jDHhW1riMtY/TXz0OnSvnJI/AAAAAAAAO_A/T7S5weQnwlA/s1600/pacerrearend.jpg"end>
So THAT explains the shape of the thing… it was DESIGNED as a suppository.
I honestly can't tell whether this thing was intended as an argument for or against having just one car that can be taken anywhere, but either way it's making an excellent case for itself. I hope it does show up at the next Concours d'LeMons, because then it'll be Alan Galbraith's problem to select a category for it.
Well ain't that some shit.
No not some, but a lot, CP.
Lose the tube bumpers and cut the price in half, and I might get on board with this.
It's still a ridiculous mishmash of whatever.
I love the tube bumpers, although I don't think they really work here. Aside from the steering wheel and whitewalls (narrower ones would be perfect), though… there's something about it.
… because being in love with your ass ain't cheap?[youtube 17eSUnQ-_ek http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17eSUnQ-_ek youtube]
damnit, hoonibles!
Embed, for f*#@s sake~!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17eSUnQ-_ek
I don't care how it's painted or customized. A Pacer is a Pacer and no amount of Wayne & Garth or ironic coolness can change that. My brother and I were stunned when Dad drove home in a new white and blue two-tone Pacer in 1975. "Uh, gee, Dad, that's great….[snicker]" I can attest that the 258 sounded like it had gravel in it, the three-on-floor manual made my '65 Mustang seem precise, and handling was a theoretical term. It felt spacious and airy inside, but it was mostly illusory. When said Mustang or my brother's Fiat 124 Spider were laid up, we'd have to borrow the Pacer. I was a blond, lean, long-haired surfer kid who thought himself as cool (not entirely without justification). Do you know what it's like to roll up to a hot date or cool party in an Easter egg with windows? "It's not my car – honest, I swear". My psyche still bears scars to this day.
You could not give me this car or any other Pacer. I don't care if it's Barrett-Jackson material. I'd refuse it.
[youtube Dw2fZOyjcAg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw2fZOyjcAg youtube]
It never ceases to amaze me what people will do, just because they can…….
Oh thank god! I thought this was something about a Wayne's World reboot.
and nothing should ever pay tribute to fart can mufflers.
Marvelous effort. Unfortunately the interior just doesn't live up to the steering wheel. Perhaps it's the carpet that makes the dash seem naked?
It just goes to show you, you can't polish a turd.
Quite so, it is a matte paint job.
or at least you're going to get your hands really dirty if you try.
I like Pacers but not this one. Sorry but no amount of customizing can turn this from a product of the 1970's into a product of the 1950's. This thing is so bad that I would rather have an Alfa with "interesting" electrical problems instead (and I hate Alfas!).
That's it … you're on the naughty list.____<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_fVEg3I8ek1A/TRZT8yRA1fI/AAAAAAAAAPw/hRebNSIqJnw/s640/2010-12-25%2014.20.42.jpg"width=650>
I love the tubular bumpers, I love the flat black paint, I love the white walls with baby moons and I love the vinyl seats.
Unfortunately, everything else must go.
Yep. Sub in one Volvo Amazon for "everything else" & I'm good to go. Or really, just about anything else built before 1970.
[youtube YZ3PUqFM8c8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ3PUqFM8c8 youtube]