The American Motors Corporation (AMC) used V8, straight-6, V6, and straight-4 engines in various passenger automobiles and Jeep vehicles from 1954 onward.
This 108 cu in (1,767 cc; 1.8 L) unit is an AMC designed air-cooled V4 engine that was only used in AMC's lightweight aluminium-bodied M422 'Mighty Mite' military vehicle, built from January 1960 to January 1963 as an air transportable (by the helicopters of the time) Jeep for the U.S. Marine Corps.
[1] This engine was unsuitable for regular passenger car use mainly due to its relatively small displacement and power output.
This 121 cu in (1,984 cc; 2.0 L) unit was an advanced design overhead camshaft four-cylinder EA831 engine bought from Audi/Volkswagen 1977 through 1979.
The original agreement was for AMC to buy the design, with the intent of eventually moving manufacturing to the United States and selling engines back to VW and Audi.
[2] American Motors bought a plant specifically to build the engine, but never sold enough of them to move the complete manufacturing.
As part of the agreement, AMC was not to use the VW or Audi names when referring to the engine.
Everyone familiar with the design knew they were virtually identical, and the automotive press commonly referred to them as Audi or VW engines.
It was mated to a standard four-speed or optional five-speed manual, and with either transmission delivered exceptional fuel economy.
Weighing in at only 331 pounds (150 kg), it also featured first-tier technology for the time such as an intercooler and an overhead cam.
This early version used a Chevrolet small block V8 bell housing bolt pattern.
The Ambassador and Statesman received a hasty grille/taillight/trim/dash restyling to create the new Hudson Hornet and Wasp.
The Nash OHV six, dating back to 1934, was a totally different design than the Rambler 195.6.
Kaiser introduced the "Dauntless" 225 cu in (3.7 L) V6 engine in the 1966 CJ and as an option in the C101 Jeepster Commando.
Kaiser bought the tooling from Buick to build the 225 during the short period prior to selling its Jeep subsidiary to AMC.
Late in 1956, AMC introduced its own V8 design in a 250 cu in (4.1 L) version and used it only in the Ambassador and Hornet Special models.
AMC introduced their new '57 327 cu in (5.4 L) CID version in the Rambler Rebel, which gave it an advantageous power to weight ratio whereby it may be considered as one of the first muscle cars.
The 360 cu in (5.9 L) AMC V8 continued to be manufactured after Chrysler bought out American Motors in 1987, and was the only engine available in the Jeep Grand Wagoneer through the 1991 model year.