How important was the Hornet to American
Motors? Before we can answer this question, we need to look
at where American Motors was at the time.
The prominent Rambler brand name had
taken a beating by the time the 70's rolled around. In an
effort to improve the company's image, American Motors began
to use the new AMC division brand name and logo.
A barely profitable American Motors needed to spend large
amounts of capital to come up with worthy successor to the
Rambler line of cars.
The next car had to sell in volume in order to profitable.
AMC's solution was
to develop a new car that was to be the basis of a whole new
group of car lines. The new Hornet was that car! Designer
Dick Teague designed the new Hornet to be the lead product
in this new shared chassis program.
The 1970 Hornet was offered in 4 and 2 door
sedans only. It sported a long hood/short deck design found
in sporty cars like the Ford Mustang and the Javelin. These
basic elements could be found in the Hornet's immensely popular
competitor, the Ford Maverick. It sat on a longer wheelbase
that the Maverick (108 inches). This ensured that the new
Hornet would be roomier that it's competitor.
AMC had created a new type of compact car.
As Car and Driver Magazine put it, "...Chapin has shown
the he understands the essential difference between small
cars and economy cars. Mavericks and Volkswagens are economy
cars. The Hornet is a small car."
The Hornet was offered in two trim levels,
base and SST. The base standard engine was a 199 cid six cylinder
while the SST got a bigger 232 cid six cylinder as a standard.
A long list of options were offered
that made the new Hornet a luxury compact...
an available two-barrel version
232 six
304 cid V8
shift command automatic transmission
reclining seats
power steering
power brakes (disc or drum)
air conditioning
electric clock
pin stripes
vinyl roof
choice of wheel covers, and more...
With the new Hornet as lead product,
CEO Roy Chapin now planned to as he put it, "introduce
a new product every six months." That next product
came out on April Fool's Day 1970. AMC introduced a brand
new car based on the Hornet chassis called, the Gremlin.
It was the first American-built subcompact from a major
American automobile maker. Look closely, the Gremlin is
just a Hornet with it's rear chopped off!
Motor Trend magazine gave the '70 Hornet it's "Car of the Year" award, moreover the Hornet can brag of having an industry first safety feature; internally reinforced guard rail beam doors.
