1979 American Motors Spirit Base 2.0 4MT
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 1981 AMC Spirit GT, front left, 08-27-2023 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: AMC Spirit GT black Kenosha street fl by CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz, releases all rights but a photo credit would be appreciated if this image is used ..., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: AMC Spirit DL two-tone liftback NC by CZmarlin releases all rights but a photo credit would be appreciated if this image is used anywhere other than Wikipe..., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1981 AMC Spirit GT, rear left, 08-27-2023 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1979 American Motors Spirit Base 2.0 4MT is an 80-hp 2.0-liter inline-4 with a 4-speed borg-warner hr-1 manual, floor shift and rear-wheel drive. It is rated at 22 mpg combined.
It makes 80 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 105 lb-ft of torque. It carries an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined.
The Spirit measures 166.8 inches long on a 96.0-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,517 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 2.0L SOHC Inline-4 (Audi/VW EA831, AMC-assembled) |
| Displacement | 2 L |
| Horsepower | 80 hp @ 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 105 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm (SAE net) rpm |
| Valvetrain | SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Bore and Stroke | 86.5 x 84.4 |
| Compression Ratio | 8.1:1 |
| Injection Type | Carburetor |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | RWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-speed Borg-Warner HR-1 manual, floor shift |
| 1st Gear | 3.65 |
| 2nd Gear | 1.97 |
| 3rd Gear | 1.37 |
| 4th Gear | 1 |
| Reverse | 3.66 |
| Final Drive | 3.08 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| Combined | 22 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Unleaded gasoline |
| Tank Capacity | 13 gal |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Independent A-arms, coil springs, soft-ride mounts |
| Rear Suspension | Live axle, leaf springs |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | Yes |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | Front disc (standard) |
| Rear Brake Disc | Rear drums |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Tires Front | Fiberglass-belted radial WSW |
| Tires Rear | Fiberglass-belted radial WSW |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 166.8 in |
| Width | 71.1 in |
| Height | 51.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 96 in |
| Front Track | 58.1 in |
| Rear Track | 57.5 in |
| Cargo Volume | 28.6 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 2,517 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 38.1 in |
| Headroom Rear | 36.4 in |
| Legroom Front | 40.8 in |
| Legroom Rear | 27.8 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 53.9 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 53 in |
| Hip Room Front | 54.3 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 42.2 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1979 American Motors Spirit Base 2.0 4MT with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
1 recall on file with NHTSA for the 1979 American Motors SPIRIT. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Aug 27, 2007 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
Consequence: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
NHTSA campaign 07E064000
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1979 AMERICAN MOTORS SPIRIT. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.