In August 1979, for the 1980 model year, AMC introduced new four-wheel drive versions of the Spirit and Concord, calling the collective line the AMC Eagle. Featuring an innovative full-time four-wheel drive system. In 1980, all AMC cars received a new rust-proofing process called Ziebart Factory Rust Protection that included a deep-dip bath in epoxy-based primer. While the two-wheel drive Spirit and Concord were both discontinued after 1983. Introduced in 1983, the Alliance was a front-wheel drive Renault 9 compact car restyled for the American market produced in Wisconsin. The car was badged as a Renault and some cars carried AMC badges. It was available as a sedan with two or four doors and later as a convertible. The hatchback, introduced in 1984 and badged as the Renault Encore.
For the final 1987 model year, a higher-performance version of the Alliance 2 door sedan and convertible was sold as the Renault GTA. The Encore models were renamed to Alliance Hatchback in 1987. Alliance and GTA production ended in June of that year while the Renault 9 and 11 models continued through the 1988 model year in Europe. The Eagle survived as a station wagon into the 1988 model year. The last AMC Eagle was built on December 14, 1987.
