| American Motors
Corporation 14250 Plymouth Road |
| Engine |
128-hp, 199
cu i in. Six |
| Transmission |
3-speed automatic |
| Steering |
Standard |
| Suspension |
Standard |
| Brakes |
Drum F, Drum R |
Check
list |
| Engine |
| Throttle Response |
Fair |
| Noise Insulation |
Very
Good |
| Drive
train |
| Shift Linkage |
Good |
| Shift Smoothness |
Fair |
| Steering |
| Effort |
Fair |
| Response |
Fair |
| Handling |
| Predictability |
Very
Good |
| Evasive Maneuverability |
Fair |
| Brakes |
| Directional Stability |
Good |
| Fade Resistance |
Good |
| Interior |
| Ease of Entry/Exit |
Good |
| Driving Position |
Fair |
| Front Seating Comfort |
Good |
| Rear Seating Comfort |
Fair |
| General |
| Vision |
Very
Good |
| Heater/ Defroster |
Excellent |
| Weather Sealing |
Fair |
| Trunk Space |
Very
Good |
|
Deep in the heartland
of this country there is a great and abiding affection for all
things American. And that loyalty extends to AMC's econo-car
of the same name. We aren't at all sure it deserves it. The
American, lowest priced car in the U.S., is the embodiment of
all homely virtues: it's plain, it's functional, it's unpretentious.
For that, its admirers say more power to it. We say more power
for it. The basic model-and it's basic indeed-is powered by
a 199 cu. in. Six, and AMC is touting the package as this country's
answer to the VW. With the optional automatic--which is ordered
on most Americans--the car is no more than a device for transport
in the simplest, slowest fashion. That, AMC believes, has considerable
appeal to the non-car-loving public. The 3speed automatic is
in keeping with the car; it's not the smoothest automatic in
the world, but it is a 3-speed, and it works. The same can be
said of the engine. The
American is a 4-passenger car. Not five, four, but it has
acceptable room for passengers. The driver isn't so lucky,
with the steering wheel coming very close to his chest. Seats
are on the thin side, no boon for occupants who aren't the
same. In size, the American is better suited to U.S. roads
than the imports, but in sex appeal, it takes a back seat
to even the VW. |
