Although AMC had spent its resources on the Matador Coupe and the Pacer, its automobile lineup received a few worthwhile low-cost improvements. A new Hornet model was introduced: the Hornet AMX. In typical AMC tradition, the AMX option was applied to the Hornet hatchback as a going-away present for the model.
The Hornet AMX was the old hatchback with a full dress-up package that added wheel flares, rear window louvers, sport wheels, a brushed aluminum "targa" band on its window pillar, and an oversized hood decal.
The rest of the Hornet line was a carryover with a few touches to stir interest. AMC continued to offer the same variety of engines from the previous year. The base engine was the 6-cylinder 232 cid, with the 6-cylinder 258 cid and the 304 cid V8 as options. Buyers could again choose between a manual or automatic transmission, with overdrive as an option.
As the 1977 model year ended, it was clear that American Motors was in deep trouble. The Hornets were the best-selling 1977 AMC car, but they—along with the Gremlin—were dying in showrooms for lack of fresh styling. All of AMC's capital had been spent on the Pacer and the Matador, so the needed all-new designs for the Hornet would never come.
It was the end of the line for the beloved Hornet. What little money remained was used to modify the Hornet body slightly to create something new for the 1978 model year: the Concord.
Front fenders from the Gremlin were grafted onto the Hornet, along with a new hood, a tasteful die-cast grille, modified rear fender end caps, and new taillights. A smoother and quieter suspension, sound insulation, and a plush D/L package placed the new Concord in a decidedly more upscale market than the Hornet had ever seen.
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