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This success would certainly have to carry
the Hornet series for the 1974 model year. A good deal of
the company's energy and financial resources were focused
on bringing to market its only new car for the 1974 model
year, the Matador. With it's odd styling, enormously expensive
design, and tooling it was a big gamble.
When AMC created the new Matador it departed
from its tried and true chassis sharing philosophy, that worked
so well with the Hornet line, in order to deliver a pure coupe
with no visual ties to any sedan. An
estimated $40 million was spent on tooling for the new coupe.
Which meant that any real re-styling of the Hornet for 1974
would have to wait. It was considered a safe move since the
Hornet line sold well for 1973.
The four versions
of the compact Hornet returned in 1974. Each recording better
performances in sales than in 1973. Among
some of the changes for 1974 were two
big vertical rubber stops in on the front and rear bumpers,
compared to the full horizontal band seen on the 73' model.
The hatchback is
again available with an optional Levi's interior and a new
"X" styling option. The Sportabout is also available
with the new "X" styling option. The luxurious D/L
returns for 1974. Only the Hornet Sedan is not available with
no specific body of option. Despite this, a long list of individual
options is offered.
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