American Motors Corporation: The Rise and Fall of America's Last Independent Automaker

by Patrick R. Foster

In American Motors The Rise and Fall of America's Last Independent Automaker , author Patrick Foster provides the ultimate inside look into an American corporation that rose from the death throes of a once-thriving independent auto industry, putting up a valiant fight for nearly half a century before succumbing to the inexorable will of the corporate machine. Born from the ashes of Hudson and Nash, AMC represented a last, desperate attempt at survival for an independent automobile company. Thanks to the steady, capable leadership of George Romney, the company not only survived, but thrived, riding on the success of the firm's small, economical cars like the Rambler. But when competition arose from Ford, Plymouth, and Chevrolet and the market began to shift toward performance and luxury cars, AMC found itself poorly prepared to compete with its bigger rivals. With the fuel crisis of the 1970s, the small cars from AMC once again refilled corporate coffers, and the firm's purchase of the Jeep brand also generated profits—but ultimately, it was too little, too late. Even a partnership with French automaker Renault and the introduction of all-wheel-drive cars couldn't save AMC. In 1987, Chrysler Corporation purchased AMC and the story of the last independent automaker came to an end. This engaging book, from one of America’s best-known automotive writers, tells the entire AMC story from its inception to its ultimate demise.

Genres: History

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[carl theaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book holds many delights for the casual and
dedicated car enthusiast. The photographs really pop
off the page, showing many aspects of the building an
auto business, from dream cars, to production, as well
as the American Motors Racing Teams of the Trans-AM
days. The patina of the auto ads from the 1950s to
the 1980s certainly evoke the feel of the era.

This story of American Motors is well told and is an
interesting tale of the smaller auto companies of the
50s, Nash and Hudson, merging to battle the Big 3.

The American Motors image ranged from the family,
'sensible' cars of the 50s & early 60s to the muscle
of the late 60s and early 70s to the quirky looking
Gremlins and Pacers. Their stories are particularly
interesting as those unusual autos caught the fancy of
the public saving the company financially and just
about as fast, the sales faded.

As this is a history, some of the story can be fairly
detailed, for example describing the minor changes
between model years. However, it's also an
interesting insight that the public wanted something
different about their cars every year, however
superficial, as long as they could say it was new.

The company executives and designers are all part of
the story, the boardroom decisions and the hows and
whys of what the designers were attempting to
accomplish make for good stories of what it takes to
get a car to the market.

The battles with auto unions is included as well as
the attempts at mergers, the buying of Jeep and the
financial finaglings that make companies do things
that have nothing to do with the actual business they
are in, in this case, making a car.

A great coffee table book on one hand, and a great
automobile history read on the other.

[Doug Frantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr Foster puts himself as my standard to judge automotive history writing with this book. demonstrating a combination of factual data and assessed ideas he puts into light AMCs achievements and foibles within American transportation history.

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Book I read on AMC(American Motors) was a book by the same author which was a Big Hardcover rich of history on AMC,(See American Motors The Last Independent: American Motors Independent Patrick Foster ) However I prefer this book even if it is more condensed.If your a AMC Fan then I suggest get both books. Despite not being much if not AT all a American Motors fan(I'm a GM(the Oldschool GM) Guy)I found this book engaging and refreshing.Showing how many bad Decisions were made Post-Romney Leadership of the Company and even worst with the French and then that CastroLoving/Commie Lee Iacocca and Chrysler coming and breaking it all up. I am more of a Fan of the AMX/3 and Amx Concept cars which were Midengined and sadly never realized,if so it would have given Ford and Pantera a Run for their money.The Company could have been Married with Studebaker had not Nance refused to the Merger(his demands of being in Charge instead of a lower position.)AMC nowadays among my generation is Not known,being a 80s Baby I recall seeing their cars,and liking some of the designs specifically the Eagle and then Wayne's World and The AMC. This book is well-written,full of Pictures both Never before seen/Archival and Color and Goes to Show that The Greedy Unions(The UAW) had just as much to do with the Downfall if not more,Jeeps,AM General Bus and Heavy Duty Trucks(Semi) and Military is also in the book to a lesser extent,with Jeep covered alot and other Subsidiaries such As ReDisco and Kelvinator among others. This book is a Must read and Must have for Orphan Car lovers and Car Lovers Period and even more so for the AMC guys.

[Melissa T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book on first reads. This is a great book for people who enjoy American motors cars. It's full of information on cars from the beginning of the corporation to the end. i learned a lot about cars that I didn't even know existed. This is a great book!

[Brett Axel · Rating 5 out of 5]

pretty good. nice book for the coffee table.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrick Foster is the expert on American Motors, Rambler and most independents. If you are into cars at all, you will not be disappointed in this book.