This is my 1981 AMC Concord DL, emerging from the dark of a lonely exile to long storage, its 258 ci. 6-cylinder engine and automatic transmission having rested unwillingly for 7 years. Here is its story in short form.

My father bought this car in 1987 for the sum of 5,500 some-odd dollars. I can still remember the test-drive, I was six years old. In 1990, it was T-boned attempting to navigate a crossroad with my mother and I. It was hit pretty hard, but the door glass didnt even crack, much-less shatter as they are prone to do. I was not hurt, but being all of 9 years old, pretty shaken up. I remember being angry at the other driver for hurting the Concord.

Being the mellow-dramatic person all car hobbyists are prone to be at one time or another, my father decided to "reward" the Concord for "saving his son's life". He did this by performing all repairs to the body, as well as giving it a custom vinyl top which he designed himself. He also added the "ground effects", as they were known then, from an AMC Eagle two-door sedan.

One day when i was 15, I asked him if I could have it as my first car. He said yes, and it remains one of the happiest moments of my life, as I grew up with this and a 1979 Concord DL wagon that belonged to my grandfather, and absolutely love these cars. Us car hobbyists are also known to be sentimental fools at times. :)

In 2002 I was having personal problems, and the Concord was put into storage, likely preserving it until I straightened myself out. My life is back on track now, so I decided it was a fitting time to get the Concord back on track as well.

 Ready to head to its new home in Mo., thats Dad tying it down.

  Here it is after being cleansed of 7 years worth of storage grime.