AMC did not build the Sundancer as a normal factory body style. For the 1981 and 1982 model years, AMC dealers ordered two-door Eagle and Concord cars, AMC arranged for them to leave Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Griffith converted them in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AMC Eagle History and related published accounts say the finished cars then returned to Kenosha for distribution through AMC dealers. The roof was not simply discarded: Griffith transformed the steel-roofed cars into reinforced, targa-style open cars with removable and folding sections.
The short answer: AMC used Griffith as a specialist conversion shop
The Wisconsin-to-Florida trip happened because the Sundancer was an AMC-approved coachbuilder conversion, not an assembly-line convertible. AMC supplied the donor cars and dealer network; Griffith, a Florida specialty manufacturer, performed the structural and roof work that AMC did not carry out in Kenosha.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
AMC Eagle History and published owner accounts describe the route: a car was ordered through an AMC dealer, transported from AMC’s Kenosha operations to Griffith in Fort Lauderdale, converted, and reportedly sent back to Kenosha before dealer delivery. The return leg is reported history rather than a factory-record certainty because no surviving contemporary AMC logistics document establishes it.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThis arrangement let AMC offer an open-air model without creating a dedicated convertible production line. It also explains the seemingly extravagant shipping decision: the Florida trip was the location of the specialist labor, not a detour for routine assembly.
#1 Best Overall
- Never Let a Dead Battery Ruin Your Drive. The LISEN 4 in 1 Retractable Car Charger delivers reliable power for your entire journey. Compatible with standard 12V cigarette lighter sockets, it keeps phones, tablets, and devices charged during daily commutes, road trips, and long drives — the perfect practical gift for dads, truck drivers, and anyone who lives on the road.
- Daily Driver Essential: Always Ready When You Need It. Featuring two retractable cables ( USB C & Old iPhone Charging Cable ) that extend up to 31.5 inches and dual USB ports, this charger solves cable clutter while charging up to 4 devices simultaneously. Ideal for busy fathers, commuters, and families who want a tidy car and never worry about low battery again.
- Deliver full-speed PD fast charging for iPhone 18 Pro Max & iPhone 18 Pro Max & iPhone 18 Pro right inside your car. The built-in 45W PD USB-C port hits the peak charging speed for these latest iPhone models, juicing up your phone to 50% power in just 15 minutes while you drive.(Note: Maximum 45W PD output is available under 24V vehicle power supply. When used with standard 12V car sockets, the peak output is limited to 36W.)
- Standard 12V Power Solution: Designed as a dedicated USB power supply for charging devices. Note: Does NOT support CarPlay, Bluetooth, or data transfer. Compatible with most phones, tablets, and small electronics. This retractable charger is a core car organization tool, keeping your vehicle tidy. Not compatible with Micro-USB devices.
- Clutter-Free Tech Organization: Featuring dual USB ports and retractable cables, the LISEN 4 in 1 charger provides a clean car storage solution. Perfect for truck enthusiasts or as a thoughtful gift for drivers, it supports fast USB-C charging for devices like the iPhone 18Pro & iPhone 18 ProMax. Keep your vehicle organized while ensuring efficient power delivery for all your tech on the road.
What “Sundancer” meant in AMC’s lineup
Sundancer identified a converted car, not a separate AMC-designed platform. The program covered the 1981–1982 model years and involved two-door versions of two AMC lines:
| Donor line | Years documented | What the sources establish |
|---|---|---|
| AMC Eagle | 1981–1982 | The Eagle account identifies the Limited two-door as the basis for the Sundancer conversion and provides the detailed roof and reinforcement description. |
| AMC Concord | 1981–1982 | Published owner accounts document two-door Concord conversions, but they do not establish that every Eagle construction detail applied identically to Concord cars. |
That distinction matters when describing surviving cars. Calling every Sundancer an Eagle is incorrect; Concords were also sent through the program. Conversely, describing the roof hardware on a Concord as identical to the Eagle version goes beyond the available documentation.
How the cars moved from Wisconsin to Florida and back
The process can be reconstructed as a sequence rather than as a mysterious one-off shipment.
Recommended Free Tools
- Dealer order: An AMC dealer ordered an eligible two-door Eagle or Concord for a customer or for inventory.
- Base-car production and release: AMC supplied a complete donor car from its Kenosha operations instead of building a convertible body on the regular line.
- Outbound transport: The car traveled from Kenosha, Wisconsin, to Griffith’s facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
- Specialty conversion: Griffith reinforced the body and altered the roof structure. The documented Eagle treatment included a welded steel targa bar, a removable fiberglass front panel, and a folding rear section.
- Return and delivery: Published enthusiast accounts report that completed cars went back to Kenosha and then entered AMC’s normal dealer-distribution channel.
AMC therefore controlled the customer-facing transaction while Griffith supplied the unusual body engineering. A dealer could sell an AMC-backed Sundancer even though the physical roof conversion occurred hundreds of miles away in Florida.
Rank #2
- High Quality Material: The coaster is made of environmentally friendly silicone, safe, non-toxic and odorless. Soft with toughness, easily embedded in the cup holder. Very durable, wear-resistant, long service life. High temperature resistance, can withstand 100 ℃ high temperature water cups.
- Wide Compatibility: The coaster has a diameter of 3.15 inches and a height of 1.18 inches, which is widely used in most vehicles, such as SUV, sedan, MPV, etc., as long as the size fits your car cup holder.
- Protection Function: Our car cup holder coaster has a carry handle design and a stand-up ring edge on its edge to effectively prevent food crumbs, drinks and water from leaking out and preventing the car cup holder from getting dirty.Meanwhile,Thickened design effectively prevents the cup holder from being scratched by the cup when driving on bumpy roads and eliminates the annoying thumping sound, making your journey more enjoyable.
- Easy to Use and Clean: With embedded installation, you just need to put it flat on the car cupholder. It is also very quick to remove, there is a small bump on the coaster, pinch it and you can easily remove the coaster. It is very easy to clean, rinse with water or wipe with a wet towel (be careful not to clean with sharp tools).
- 100% Satisfaction: Our products have quality assurance, if you have questions or are not satisfied after receiving the product, don't worry, please contact us as soon as possible, we provide after-sales service.
What Griffith actually did to the roof
The phrase “chop their roofs off” is vivid but misleading. The Eagle-specific account describes a conversion that retained a protective center structure and used multiple roof sections.
Unibody reinforcement
Removing a large section of a unibody roof changes the way the body carries loads. The Eagle history says Griffith reinforced the unibody before completing the open-top work. No published engineering drawing, reinforcement dimensions, or separate specification sheet covers every donor variant.
Welded steel targa bar
A steel targa-style bar was welded to the door pillars after the body had been reinforced. This fixed structure separated the removable front roof area from the folding rear section and supplied a permanent overhead brace. It also means the Sundancer was not a roofless roadster with the entire upper structure removed.
Removable fiberglass front panel
The front portion of the roof used a removable fiberglass panel. Owners could take out that panel for open-air driving, while the fixed targa bar remained in place.
Rank #3
- ✅【Designed for Magsafe】 - The most fashionable iphone car mount in 2026 Magsafe is designed for iPhone 18 Pro Max/17/16/15/14/13/12 Pro Max Mini and official Magsafe cases and other magnetic phone cases and can be fixed directly to these phones without the need to affix metal plates. All Android Phones Will Work: Metal rings are provided; they fit cases and other phones without magsafe. Based on Unique Grandmaster Design (Protected by US Design Patent No. US D1,112,194 S)
- ✅【STRONG MAGNETIC MagSafe Car Mount】 - This powerful magnetic phone holder can create a powerful attraction that firmly supports your device while allowing you to drive without distraction. it easily and securely holds your phone through bumps, sharp turns or even sudden stops, no worrying of dropping your phone.
- ✅【SUPER STICK FORCE】 - VHB Dash Mounted Holders adhesive provides strong stick force between the dashboard and the car phone holder, which can firmly stick to any plane in the car, fix your device, adapt to a variety of road conditions such as sudden braking, speed bump, and rugged mountain road.
- ✅【SAFE DRIVING VIEW】 - Mini-size, not taking up space, it is placed in the dashboard without blocking the view at all, and does not need to look down at the device to ensure your safe driving. Cell Phone Car Mount is suitable for most cars, pickups, SUV, taxi; It is the best assistant for Uber and Lyft drivers
- ✅【360° FREE ROTATION】 - With an adjustable swivel ball joint, you can rotate your smartphone or device at your own will, providing the best viewing angle. Quickly pick and place with one hand, free your hands and make calls and GPS navigation more convenient
Folding rear section with rear window
Behind the bar, the conversion used a folding polyvinyl section that incorporated the rear window. In use, the front panel and rear section created the open-air configuration; when closed, they restored a covered passenger compartment. These construction details are documented for the Eagle version and should not automatically be treated as a verified Concord specification.
Was the Sundancer built by AMC?
It was AMC-approved and sold through AMC dealers, but it was not a regular AMC factory body style. AMC Eagle History classifies it as a Griffith dealer conversion, and the Eagle history identifies AMC’s agreement with Griffith in 1980 to create a convertible version of the new Eagle.
That wording resolves two common errors. “Factory convertible” suggests that AMC’s Kenosha assembly line produced the body in its final form, which the published histories do not support. “Aftermarket chop-top” suggests an unauthorized modification performed after a customer bought the car, which also misses the point: the conversion was arranged within AMC’s dealer-order and distribution system.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
The most accurate description is an AMC-approved, dealer-ordered coachbuilder conversion. AMC’s involvement explains the model’s presence in dealer catalogs and sales channels; Griffith’s involvement explains the Florida conversion work.
Rank #4
- Buyer's Guide: The seat guard for car seat between seat & console measures 15.75*2.7*1.53", suitable for gaps of 1.43-1.53" in width, please double-check carefully the distance between your seat and the center console before placing an order
- Storage and Filling in One: Differ from traditional single-function gap fillers, gap filler for car incorporates storage function, offers you the convenience of storing phones and various other items, so that you can access them at any time while driving
- Avoid Items Slipping: With the bumps and vibrations of the car, phones, keys may fall into the seat crevices, which is difficult to pick up, and distracts the driver's attention. Car gap seat filler fills gaps seamlessly to create an effective barrier
- Easy to Install: Car side seat gap filler is easy to install, simply insert it into the gap between the seat and the center console, gap seat filler for car can fit tightly without affecting the normal adjustment of the seat and the use of the seat belt
- Premium Material: Crafted from premium EVA material, our car seat side gap filler boasts a combination of wear-resistant, softness&durability. Maintenance is effortless, simply rinse and wipe to quickly clean the dust and debris in corners and crevices
Why Griffith was in Florida
Griffith’s Fort Lauderdale location supplied the specialist capability AMC needed for a very small program. Sending individual donor cars to an established converter avoided the tooling, fixtures, workforce, and production changes required to manufacture a high-volume convertible at Kenosha.
AMC did not publish its internal cost analysis, projected sales, or a formal explanation saying that shipping was cheaper than factory production. It is therefore reasonable to describe Griffith as the practical specialist partner, but not to claim a documented savings figure or a specific corporate motive that has not been published.
The route also reflects how low-volume specialty cars were often handled in that period: a major manufacturer could authorize a conversion, let a specialist perform the structural work, and then use the established dealer network for retail delivery.
How many Sundancers were made?
There is no settled production total. Robert Pedersen’s March 15, 2014, owner history estimates fewer than 200 combined Eagle and Concord conversions. AMC Eagle History instead says the production total is unknown. Savage On Wheels, in a October 19, 2025, retrospective on an 1981 Concord Sundancer, also reports the under-200 estimate.
Best Value
- 🔰 UPGRADED SIDE STORAGE DESIGN - Our console cover is thinner than the old one, universal for all seasons. There is an 8.66*5.12 inch storage pocket design on each left and right side, expanding the storage space, convenient and practical. Meet the storage needs of the main passenger seat, you can store your cell phone, keys, tissues, ID and some other small daily items.
- 🔰 PREMIUM MICROFIBER LEATHER MATERIAL - This car center console cover is made of quality microfiber leather material, soft and skin-friendly touch. Exquisite and fashionable diamond shaped stitching, every detail is in place. Inside the car center console cover is made of thickened memory foam, even after squeezing, it can slowly recover to its original shape.
- 🔰 RELIEVE DRIVING FATIGUE - The arm rest cover for car adopts ergonomic design, giving just the right amount of arm support, effectively dispersing elbow pressure and relieving driving fatigue. Protect your car's center console from getting dirty or scratched. Especially suitable for long time driving or long distance traveling, bringing you a new experience of relaxation and comfort!
- 🔰 NON-DESTRUCTIVE INSTALLATION - This car console cover is designed with an elastic band for a firm fit and not easy to shake. And the back side is full of protruding dots, which can effectively avoid the armrest cover from slipping and shifting. All you need to do is to open the center console cover, put the elastic band directly into the cover and then close it.
- 🔰 BUYER'S GUIDE - You will receive a car armrest storage box with the size of 12.13*7.80 inch, please measure the size of your car's armrest storage box before you buy. We have prepared five simple and beautiful colors for you, you can choose according to your own preferences. Suitable for most of the vehicles on the market, such as car, truck, SUV, RV, van, etc.
| Statement | How to interpret it |
|---|---|
| “Fewer than 200 combined conversions” | An estimate attributed to Robert Pedersen’s personal research, echoed by Savage On Wheels; it is not an audited factory count. |
| “Production total unknown” | The position stated by the AMC Eagle Sundancer history and the safest description when discussing the surviving record. |
Do not turn the estimate into a precise number, and do not imply that a registry has accounted for every Eagle and Concord. Cars may have been lost, modified, misidentified, or documented under the donor model rather than the Sundancer name.
What the 1980–1982 timeline shows
| Date or period | Event | Evidence and qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | AMC agreed with Griffith on a convertible version of the new Eagle. | Reported by the AMC Eagle history. |
| 1981 model year | Sundancer conversions were offered through AMC’s dealer system. | The Eagle history identifies the Limited two-door for the Eagle version; owner histories also document Concord conversions. |
| 1982 model year | The dealer-conversion program continued for eligible two-door cars. | Published accounts place the Sundancer program in 1981–1982. |
| During each model year | Cars traveled from Kenosha to Fort Lauderdale for conversion and reportedly returned before dealer delivery. | The return-to-Kenosha leg is reported by enthusiast accounts. |
The convertible market explains the opportunity, not the shipping decision
A United Press International report dated May 26, 1981, provides useful period context. It said U.S. automakers sold 510,693 convertibles in 1965, during the market’s boom year, but only 72,110 in 1973, eight years later. Those figures show how sharply the mainstream convertible market had contracted before the Sundancer appeared.
They do not prove why AMC chose Griffith, what the conversion cost, or how many cars AMC expected to sell. UPI is the source for the figures, and no underlying original dataset was independently verified for this account. The numbers belong in the background: they show why an open-air AMC was a niche proposition, not a mass-production program.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteHow to describe or identify a Sundancer accurately
Historical descriptions should begin with the donor model and then identify the conversion. A statement such as “1981 AMC Eagle Sundancer” is more informative than simply calling the car an AMC convertible, because the same program also covered Concords.
- Check the model year: the documented program is 1981–1982.
- Identify the donor line: Eagle or Concord, and specify that it is a two-door.
- Look for the conversion’s open-top architecture, including the fixed steel targa bar and removable or folding roof sections described for the Eagle version.
- Treat badges, paint, upholstery, and replacement roof parts as clues rather than proof; the available histories do not provide a complete authentication checklist.
- When recording a car’s history, distinguish documented paperwork from visual similarity and avoid claiming a serial-number total that the published sources do not establish.
For restorers and historians, the model distinction is especially important. Eagle-specific construction information is valuable, but it should be labeled as Eagle information unless a Concord-specific source confirms the same detail.
Why the story still matters
The Sundancer illustrates a transitional moment in American car production. AMC wanted an unusual open-air model, but the projected volume did not justify treating it like a conventional factory body style. A specialist conversion preserved the possibility of a dealer-sold AMC convertible while keeping the core car within AMC’s existing product and distribution system.
That is why the Wisconsin-to-Florida route is central to the story. It was not a publicity stunt in which AMC randomly shipped ordinary cars south to have their roofs removed. It was the physical supply chain of a small, approved conversion program: Kenosha supplied the donor, Griffith performed the structural transformation in Fort Lauderdale, and AMC’s dealers supplied the customer.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
