The good folks at Barrett-Jackson Auctions have sold many classic cars featured in television and film. But none of them might be as instantly recognizable as the AMC Pacer from the film, Wayne's World. This quirky car will be going under the hammer this month at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ.
A Quick Look at the AMC Pacer's Brief History
American Motors Corporation first introduced the Pacer in 1975. Rising gas prices at the time were spurring a shift from full-size cars to compacts. AMC's plan was for the Pacer's efficient packaging to appeal to car buyers who wanted something compact but roomy.
AMC sold 145,528 copies of the Pacer during the first year of production. But the following years saw a new wave of compacts from overseas. The domestic manufacturers also brought out more compacts as well. Many of these cars offered greater fuel efficiency than the Pacer. As a result, sales of the Pacer began to wane, and AMC pulled the plug on production in 1979.
The Pacer was not successful for AMC in terms of sales. The unconventional styling, inefficient power trains, and suspect reliability contributed to its early demise. Few people at the time would have predicted that an AMC Pacer would become one an iconic car in film history.
The Details on The 'Wayne's World' Car
The AMC Pacer that Wayne and Garth drove around in was a 1976 model. This car came from the factory with a yellow exterior, which was later repainted in a light blue color. The producers added other features to make this car unique. This includes a licorice dispenser, flame decals, and a mismatched set of wheels.
More modifications to this car sought to aid the filmmaking process. This included installing camera supports to the rocker panels and welding tow hooks to the front sub-frame. The rear wheelhouses received modifications to fit speaker boxes.
The Barrett-Jackson website says that Wayne's Pacer has undergone an extensive restoration process. The rebuilt engine has many new components, such as the water pump, power steering pump, alternator, battery, and exhaust.
The restoration also included the exterior. The body and paint underwent reconditioning to match the original movie color. The grille, bumper cushions, front hubcaps and parking light lenses are all new as well.
On the inside, the seats, headliner, and dashboard are all reconditioned. The stereo system is in working condition. But the speakers seen in the movie do not function because this car never actually had an amp installed.