American Motor Corporation came up with the AM Van Concept 45 years ago and was showered with praise for it, but never produced it. The one-off plastic car on a wooden frame will go under the hammer in May.
The AMC design team came up with as many as six different concepts in the late 1970s, including this minivan, a trio of compact hatchbacks, a small SUV and even an electric car. The goal was to predict how the U.S. automotive market would evolve following the oil crisis of the era.
In 1977, the manufacturer took its prototypes on a tour around the United States, displaying them at shows and events. The seller of the van now claims that it was the crowd favorite by far.
The vehicle was advertised as practical and affordable with only three seats inside, compact dimensions, larger-than-usual wheels, and an exotic appearance. Despite “Turbo 4x4” badges all around, it never had any kind of drivetrain inside and never reached production in any form.
The auction holder reports that the concept has spent the past three and a half decades in a private collection. It is still in excellent condition and goes without a publicly available price.