The Photo and Image Archives

"[It] was used in a national commercial for a electronic tax return company, real funny commercial; it aired in the midwest and towards the Pacific. I have a tape with the whole finished commercial in English and Spanish; which was used for Spanish tellys like Telemundo." -Eddie Stakes

Editor's Note: This same car is featured earlier in the archives in photos taken during the time that it was owned by Woody Gray, from whom Richard Crawford purchased this car. Unfortunately, the car was not in the described pristine condition, but Richard invested a great deal in the car after the purchase. (From Richard Crawford, through Tim Hansen)

The caption reads: "Take, for example, the new AMC Pacer. A great new outlook. Style with a new flare. A car built for four foot tall Martians, grown taller to accomodate mere mortals! A little slow, a little overweight perhaps, but a definite step in the right direction. A great small car; rack & pinion steering, smart interiors, overdrive, plenty of visibility, actually fun to drive! Buy it! Show American Motors they're right! When yours is worn out, there'll be something even better!"

Editor's Note: How we Pacer lovers wish this were so...

"It was a very enjoyable event, if you haven't been you need to go! The other part of my trip was to learn even at a national event, my car is seen less than most. You see, it is a Pacer D/L Wagon. I thought there would have been more, oh well.

"I became the proud owner when my father gave me the car during my last divorce. The car was bought by my Great Aunt from a dealer in Middleburg Heights, Ohio. They kept the car garaged for the fist winter then drove to CA. My father acquired the car from there estate and then gave it to me.

"When I got the car I had NO Idea, so many different type of people would comment, good and bad. Not letting that bother me, I to just told myself it is a car it was free, and drove VERY nice. When I got tired of having a rear main bearing leak I decided to repair it and add a chrome valve cover.

"One would think that this would be a simple task, HA! I ended up doing a ground up restoration, the only thing I didn't do was re-paint the car! After many dollars I drove the car to St. Louis. What a wonderful trip, I also received a Silver award! That was the first award from the restoration, my then fifth award, I now have six! I love taking this car to shows and display my work!

"I don't now if you do any traveling, but there are at times here, in Phoenix AZ 'rust free' Pacers for sale. If you get ready to find Pacer #2 and can deal with the plastic from AZ, you may get a good shell. The next National show this car will be at is gonna be in TX in 2001. Our club is holding a Regional meet 4/01/2000 and we hope to have a good showing.

"The first [photo] is when I got the car from my Dad, gave it a wax and received my first trophy. The second is what it looked like prior to restoration, the third is the four of us in MO." -Eric Groskopf, August 1999