Different is beautiful. In the world of cars, design is almost as important as engine quality and overall performance. Overtime, design takes on a meaning all its own. Iconic shapes of America's most distinctive cars represent not only their makers, but also the times in which they prevailed. The now-defunct car company American Motor Company (AMC) applies to this model.

AMC cars reached the height of their popularity in the 1970s. AMC manufactured a variety of sedans and compact cars, all with unique styling that was undeniably theirs. Most notably, the AMC Pacer, AMC AMX, Gremlin, and AMC Javelin are the cars that best stick in the hearts and minds of American driving enthusiasts. Let's briefly take a look at each of these models.

The AMC Pacer, a triumph of ergonomic engineering, was wildly successful because of its unmistakable fa'§ade and interior comfort. To this day, you see Pacers roam the road like it was still 1975. The AMC AMX and Javelin, originally introduced in 1968, became very popular 'muscle cars' because of their large engines and roaring acceleration. The Gremlin, an oddity even by today's standards, remains one of the most unique compact cars ever designed.

AMC's goal was to make sleek cars for drivers who prized style as much as substance. This proved to be a lasting formula because AMC car clubs are still found around the country. It is easy to find parts for an AMC, and they are inexpensive to fix due to their domesticity. It has been said that the only way to drive a car that is perpetually in style is to get one that went out of style long ago. AMC cars personify this truism.