AMC Cavalier
| AMC Cavalier | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | American Motors (AMC) |
| Production | 1965 (Concept car) |
| Designer | Richard A. Teague |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact car |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 343 cu in (5.6 L) V8 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 108 inches (2,743 mm) |
| Length | 175 inches (4,445 mm) |
| Width | 65.5 inches (1,664 mm) |
The AMC Cavalier was a concept compact car made by American Motors (AMC) in 1965. It was innovative by its symmetrical design and use of interchangeable body parts.
The AMC Cavalier was part of three other prototypes that hinted at some of AMC's future production vehicles. In 1966, the Cavalier became part of "Project IV" touring the auto show circuit. This group of four show cars included the Vixen (a 4-seat coupe with "flying buttress" rear roof pillars), the AMX prototype (a 2-seat coupe that evolved into the real production car), and the AMX II (a notchback hardtop that was 8 inches (203 mm) longer than the AMX). At the time, none of the concept cars carried the Rambler nameplate, which AMC started phasing out in 1966 in favor of AMC.
Only the 4-door Cavalier sedan with 4 seats was designed by Richard A. Teague in AMC's advanced design studio. While the "Project IV" cars were being shown to the public, the automaker was already underway preparing for future production cars and some of the Cavalier's design cues were incorporated into new 1970 model year AMC Hornet, which required tooling and final stampings by summer 1969.
The AMC Cavalier was unique in that the vehicle was a study in symmetry. It was built to demonstrate the use of numerous interchangeable body panels. For example, the fenders were identical (the opposite ends, e.g. left front and right rear). The doors were similarly shared with opposite sides (an idea originated by Cord on its prototype 935 Saloon) since the rear doors were hinged in the back (suicide door). The hood and decklid were also interchangeable. The Nash Metropolitan, which was sold by AMC up to 1962, also had interchangeable inner panels, but their outer skins were different. In addition to reducing tooling costs by thirty percent, the design objective of the AMC Cavalier was also to demonstrate how to reduce the costs of production.
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