AMC Cavalier
Encyclopedia
The AMC Cavalier was a concept car
built by American Motors
(AMC) in 1965. It was innovative by its symmetrical design and use of interchangeable body parts.
s 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 car
s included the Vixen (a four passenger coupe
with a "flying buttress" rear roof pillars), the AMX prototype (a two-seat coupe that evolved into the real production car
), and the AMX II (a notchback hardtop
that was 8 inches (203.2 mm) longer than the AMX).
Only the four-door Cavalier sedan was designed by Richard A. Teague
in AMC's advanced design studio.
. 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 the 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 the outer skin was 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.
The dash was a schematic layout of the car; the Cavalier profile and interior cavities were represented in the design of the dashboard.
The AMC Cavalier featured curved sides, as if a fuselage, punctuated by full wheel arches. The rear roof pillars ("C" pillar
) were a "flying buttress" design providing the side view of the car with a sweptback roof to what appears a short rear deck. The rear window was recessed making back area look similar to General Motors' 1966 "A" body platform
2-door models such as the Pontiac GTO
.
The AMC Cavalier featured a minimal amount of ornamentation compared to contemporary production cars.
Under the innovative body panel structure, the plan was for a conventional front-mounted 343 cu in (5.6 l) 280 bhp AMC V8 engine
with rear-wheel drive (FR layout
). The AMC Cavalier had a 108 inches (274 cm) wheelbase
with a seating capacity for six passengers. The four-door sedan was compact
sized, measuring 175 inches (445 cm) in overall length, 50 inches (127 cm) high, and 65.5 inches (166 cm) wide.
, chairman of the automaker at the time, the innovative AMC Cavalier toured the auto show
circuit to "help restore public confidence in AMC, where sales have sagged."
Except for the short hood giving it equal-length front and rear decks, many of the Cavalier's styling touches found their way into the AMC Hornet
that was introduced for the 1970 model year. The Hornet was also designed under the direction of Richard A. Teague.
The Sharjah Post Office
issued an airmail stamp in 1970 depicting a drawing of an AMC Cavalier. It is part of a "Post Day" series illustrating a pair of early and modern automobiles. The postage stamp
shows a 1904 Rambler
and a 1965 Cavalier (this is identified as a 1970 model probably because the show car looked so similar to the AMC Hornet that was introduced that year).
model to debut in 1968. By that time, however, General Motors
had secured the rights to the "Cavalier" name. The second choice was selected: Javelin
.
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
built by American Motors
American Motors
American Motors Corporation was an American automobile company formed by the 1954 merger of Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and Hudson Motor Car Company. At the time, it was the largest corporate merger in U.S. history.George W...
(AMC) in 1965. It was innovative by its symmetrical design and use of interchangeable body parts.
Origin
The AMC Cavalier was part of three other prototypePrototype
A prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.The word prototype derives from the Greek πρωτότυπον , "primitive form", neutral of πρωτότυπος , "original, primitive", from πρῶτος , "first" and τύπος ,...
s that hinted at some of AMC's future production vehicles. In 1966, the Cavalier became part of "Project IV" touring the auto show
Auto show
An auto show, or motor show, is a public exhibition of current automobile models, debuts, concept cars, or out-of-production classics. It is commonly attended by automobile manufacturers. Most auto shows occur once or twice a year...
circuit. This group of four show car
Show car
A show car, sometimes called a dream car, is a custom-made automobile created specifically for public display, rather than sale. They are shown at auto shows and other exhibitions.Show cars generally fall into one or more of three categories:...
s included the Vixen (a four passenger coupe
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
with a "flying buttress" rear roof pillars), the AMX prototype (a two-seat coupe that evolved into the real production car
AMC AMX
The AMC AMX is a two-seat GT in style and approach sports car that was produced by American Motors Corporation for the 1968 through 1970 model years. The AMX was also classified as a muscle car, but "unique among other American cars at the time due its short wheelbase"...
), and the AMX II (a notchback hardtop
Hardtop
A hardtop is a term for a rigid, rather than canvas, automobile roof. It has been used in several contexts: detachable hardtops, retractable hardtop roofs, and the so-called pillarless hardtop body style....
that was 8 inches (203.2 mm) longer than the AMX).
Only the four-door Cavalier sedan was designed by Richard A. Teague
Richard A. Teague
Richard A. Teague , born in Los Angeles, California, was an industrial designer in the North American automotive industry...
in AMC's advanced design studio.
Innovation
The AMC Cavalier was unique in that it was a study in symmetrySymmetry
Symmetry generally conveys two primary meanings. The first is an imprecise sense of harmonious or aesthetically pleasing proportionality and balance; such that it reflects beauty or perfection...
. It was built to demonstrate the use of numerous interchangeable
Interchangeable parts
Interchangeable parts are parts that are, for practical purposes, identical. They are made to specifications that ensure that they are so nearly identical that they will fit into any device of the same type. One such part can freely replace another, without any custom fitting...
body panels. For example, the fenders
Fender (vehicle)
Fender is the US English term for the part of an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle body that frames a wheel well . Its primary purpose is to prevent sand, mud, rocks, liquids, and other road spray from being thrown into the air by the rotating tire. Fenders are typically rigid and can be...
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
Cord Automobile
Cord was the brand name of a United States automobile, manufactured by the Auburn Automobile Company from 1929 through 1932 and again in 1936 and 1937....
on the prototype 935 Saloon, since the rear doors were hinged in the back (suicide door
Suicide door
A suicide door is a car door hinged on the trailing edge, the edge closer to the rear of the vehicle. Such doors are rarely used on vehicles in modern times because of their disadvantages....
). The hood
Hood (vehicle)
The hood or bonnet is the hinged cover over the engine of motor vehicles that allows access to the engine compartment for maintenance and repair. In British terminology, hood refers to a fabric cover over the passenger compartment of the car...
and decklid
Decklid
The decklid is the cover over the trunk/boot of motor vehicles that allows access to the main storage or luggage compartment...
were also interchangeable. The Nash Metropolitan
Nash Metropolitan
The Nash Metropolitan is a car that was sold, initially only in the United States and Canada, from 1954–1962.It conforms to two classes of vehicle: economy car and subcompact car. In today’s terminology the Metropolitan is a “subcompact”, but this category had not yet come into use when the car was...
, which was sold by AMC up to 1962, also had interchangeable inner panels, but the outer skin was 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.
The dash was a schematic layout of the car; the Cavalier profile and interior cavities were represented in the design of the dashboard.
The AMC Cavalier featured curved sides, as if a fuselage, punctuated by full wheel arches. The rear roof pillars ("C" pillar
Pillar (car)
Pillars are the vertical supports of the greenhouse of an automobile — known respectively as the A, B, C or D-pillar moving in profile view from the front to rear....
) were a "flying buttress" design providing the side view of the car with a sweptback roof to what appears a short rear deck. The rear window was recessed making back area look similar to General Motors' 1966 "A" body platform
GM A platform (RWD)
The General Motors A platform was a rear wheel drive automobile platform designation used from at least 1939 up until 1981...
2-door models such as the Pontiac GTO
Pontiac GTO
The Pontiac GTO is an automobile built by Pontiac Division of General Motors in the United States from 1964 to 1974, and by GM subsidiary Holden in Australia from 2004 to 2006. It is considered an innovative, and now classic muscle car of the 1960s and 1970s...
.
The AMC Cavalier featured a minimal amount of ornamentation compared to contemporary production cars.
Under the innovative body panel structure, the plan was for a conventional front-mounted 343 cu in (5.6 l) 280 bhp AMC V8 engine
AMC V8 engine
American Motors Corporation produced a series of widely-used V8 engines from the mid-1950s before being absorbed into Chrysler in 1987. Chrysler kept the AMC V8 in production until 1991 for the Jeep Grand Wagoneer....
with rear-wheel drive (FR layout
Front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout
In automotive design, an FR, or Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive layout is one where the engine is located at the front of the vehicle and driven wheels are located at the rear. This was the traditional automobile layout for most of the 20th century....
). The AMC Cavalier had a 108 inches (274 cm) wheelbase
Wheelbase
In both road and rail vehicles, the wheelbase is the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels.- Road :In automobiles, the wheelbase is the horizontal distance between the center of the front wheel and the center of the rear wheel...
with a seating capacity for six passengers. The four-door sedan was compact
Compact car
A compact car , or small family car , is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini but smaller than or equal to a mid-size car...
sized, measuring 175 inches (445 cm) in overall length, 50 inches (127 cm) high, and 65.5 inches (166 cm) wide.
Legacy
According to Robert B. EvansRobert B. Evans
Robert Beverley Evans, Sr. was an automobile industry executive, a prominent Republican, an industrialist, a socialite, and an avid sportsperson...
, chairman of the automaker at the time, the innovative AMC Cavalier toured the auto show
Auto show
An auto show, or motor show, is a public exhibition of current automobile models, debuts, concept cars, or out-of-production classics. It is commonly attended by automobile manufacturers. Most auto shows occur once or twice a year...
circuit to "help restore public confidence in AMC, where sales have sagged."
Except for the short hood giving it equal-length front and rear decks, many of the Cavalier's styling touches found their way into the AMC Hornet
AMC Hornet
The AMC Hornet was a compact automobile made by the American Motors Corporation in one generation beginning with the 1970 model year and continuing through the 1977 model year. The Hornet replaced the compact Rambler American marking the end of the Rambler marque in the American and Canadian markets...
that was introduced for the 1970 model year. The Hornet was also designed under the direction of Richard A. Teague.
Postage stamp
Postage stamps and postal history of Sharjah
Civil mail from Sharjah went through the post office in Dubai until 1963. Military mail from the British Forces stationed in the area went through the RAF airport in Sharjah....
issued an airmail stamp in 1970 depicting a drawing of an AMC Cavalier. It is part of a "Post Day" series illustrating a pair of early and modern automobiles. The postage stamp
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
shows a 1904 Rambler
Rambler (automobile)
Rambler was an automobile brand name used by the Thomas B. Jeffery Company between 1900 and 1914, then by its successor, Nash Motors from 1950 to 1954, and finally by Nash's successor, American Motors Corporation from 1954 to 1969...
and a 1965 Cavalier (this is identified as a 1970 model probably because the show car looked so similar to the AMC Hornet that was introduced that year).
Name
American Motors planned to use the "Cavalier" name for a new pony carPony car
Pony car is an American class of automobile launched and inspired by the Ford Mustang in 1964. The term describes an affordable, compact, highly styled car with a sporty or performance-oriented image.-Origins of the breed:...
model to debut in 1968. By that time, however, General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
had secured the rights to the "Cavalier" name. The second choice was selected: Javelin
AMC Javelin
The Javelin was a production version of one of the AMC AMX prototypes shown during the 1966 AMX project nationwide tour. Intended to rival other pony cars such as the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. American Motor's Javelin debuted on 22 August 1967, for the 1968 model year...
.