My sister in law and her family are spending a week at the beach on Corsica, and among other visual pleasures, one of them spotted this Pacer trying to stay out of the sun. Looks like there’s a Citroen Mehari next to it, which makes a bit more sense. They’re fairly common in places like that. Not so the Pacer.
Update: These were sold in France.
As a matter of fact, it’s the same color as the one in this now somewhat famous ad for the Pacer.
Paul, I think the Pacer shown here was part of the partnership between AMC and Renault at the end of the ’70s. You may recall the Renault/AMC “Alliance,” which was a slightly-modified compact Renault available in the U.S. in two and four-door versions, and I believe also a wagon. In April of 1979, while visiting Paris, I saw a display of new AMC vehicles in front of the Eiffel Tower. One of the cars present was a Pacer. No, it looked no better surrounded by Citroens and Peugeots than it did in the land of the free and home of the brave! I hope those cars had good A/C, because the sun load through those huge greenhouses must have been immense.
Of course. I’m updating the text.
It wasn’t the consequence of AMC/Renault partnership, but the doings of a multibrand sealer in France, specialized in importing US cars.
Renault never officially imported AMC products in France, apart from the Cherokee XJ during the 80’s (with its engines replaced by Renault’s 2.1 turbodiesel) and a few Ramblers during the 60’s.
Those Ramblers were built in Belgium, not imported from the US. And they were officially sold under the Renault marque at Renault showrooms.
The Pacer, though very odd (or because of it) was a minor sensation in mid-’70s France. Here’s an excerpt from L’aile ou la cruise (1976)…
https://youtu.be/fhfQZb9E3Xg
Both the car in the Youtube excerpt and our featured car on Corsica have the optional Basketry Print-style upholstery. Maybe that was popular (or, standard) on the small number of European Pacers?
The Pacer was imported by Jean Charles Automobiles, a dealer who had many connections with famous people.
Brigitte Bardot had one. Coluche too (a very famous french entertainer) and his even starred in a movie with Louis de Funès (another very famous comedian).
Also, Jean Charles used a pin-up drawing from Aslan to advertise the Pacer.
All and all, there was a quite a bit of hype around the Pacer in France during the 70’s.
We all have the same thing on our brains! 🙂
You beat me to it !
Well, it’s impossible to add Pacer + France, without remembering that ad.
That ad has me ready to purchase a Pacer right now:-)
I didn’t notice the Pacer in the ad until you mentioned it. Now that I know it’s there, I still don’t notice it.
If you are going to drive a 1970s American car in Corsica, it may as well be one that really gets noticed and starts conversations. 🙂
I always remember a cartoon in a car magazine from the 1970s which had line drawings of a Renault Le Car alongside an AMC Pacer. As you will recall, the American versions of the Renault all had “Le Car” written on the front of the doors.
Written on the door of the Pacer was, “The Voiture.”
Now how many Americans do any of you know who owned both a Pacer AND a LeCar?
My aunt’s husband, who is English, bought a new Pacer in 1976. They drove it from Pittsburgh, to visit us on Long Island. I’m sure I asked if it had the 258 (but I don’t recall the answer).
It turned out to be a POS, and in 1980, it was replaced with a….LeCar. Which also proved to be a POS.
Too funny!
No, I do NOT see similarity between Bardot’s lovely rump and the Pacer’s.
I thought all cars in Europe had to have a rear fog light? I have seen several 1970’s and 1980’s American cars in Europe that had a rear fog light attached to the underside of the back bumper.
Not every European country require the rear red fog lamp for a number of years until they gradually started to mandate this type of lamp during the 1980s.
Same with taillamps with amber turn signal indicators. Several European countries were tolerant toward American least-common-denominator red taillamps, especially for the personal or grey import as well as classic vehicles.
Any pictures of the Citroen Mehari next to the Pacer?
The Pacer: great concept, lousy execution, huge fail. Make mine a ’79 Limited wagon with a full load. I’ll drive it when I want a change from my Versailles!
Still has white walls & clean wheelcovers.
I’d guess that ww’s are tough to find in Europe today.
Et voilá, Madame Bardot lounging on a Pacer´s hood.
Don’t you really mean Mlle Bardot? Ah, both ads bring smiles.