The AMC Hornet is a compact automobile manufactured and marketed by American Motors Corporation (AMC) and made from 1970 through 1977 — in two- and four-door sedan, station wagon, and hatchback coupe configurations. The Hornet replaced the compact Rambler American line, marking the end of the Rambler marque in the American and Canadian markets. Hornets were marketed in foreign markets and were assembled under license agreements between AMC — for example, with Vehículos Automotores Mexicanos (VAM), Australian Motor Industries (AMI), and by Toyota S.A. Ltd. in South Africa. The Hornet became important for the automaker in being a top seller during its production as well as a car platform serving the company in varying forms through the 1988 model year. Introduced in 1969, AMC earned a high rate return for its development investment for the Hornet. The platform became the basis for AMC's subcompact Gremlin, luxury compact Concord, liftback and sedan Spirit, and the innovative all-wheel drive AMC Eagle. It would also outlast the compact platforms from the competition, including the Chevrolet Nova, Ford Maverick, and Plymouth Valiant. The AMC Hornet served as an experimental platform for alternative fuel and other automotive technologies. Hornets were campaigned in various motorsports events with some corporate support. A hatchback model also starred in an exceptional stunt jump in the 1974 James Bond film: The Man with the Golden Gun. Origins of the "Hornet" name Hudson introduced the first Hornet in 1951 as a performance model featuring the Hudson's new "H-145" engine. The automaker formed a stock car racing team centered on the car, and the "Fabulous Hudson Hornet" soon became famous for its wins and stock-car title sweeps between 1951 and 1954. The Hornet inspired Paul Newman's Doc Hudson character. American Motors retained rights to the 'Hornet' name during Automotive Manufacturer Association ban on factory-supported racing from 1957 until 1962, and was dormant from 1958 until 1969. The rights to the "Hornet" nameplate were then passed to Chrysler with that company's acquisition of AMC in 1987. The nameplate has been through several potential uses since then and has been reintroduced for the 2023 model year as a compact SUV marketed under the Dodge brand. AMC Hornet development The Hornet's styling was based on the AMC Cavalier and Vixen show cars. The Hornet, as well as the Ford Maverick, were considered a response by the domestic automakers to battle with the imports. Development of