The collapse of the Mexican economy in 1982 hit VAM along with all the local auto industry. In February 1983, the Mexican government sold its share of VAM to Renault. The new owner was focused more on the Jeep vehicles along with VAM's dealer network and production facilities. Renault reduced production VAM's passenger car line so it would not compete with its own products. The remaining 1983 VAM cars existed mostly to use up the highest possible amount of existing inventories and to fulfill the previous agreements with sourcing companies. The 1983 Rally AMX is almost an exact copy of the 1982 model, specifically the second half of the model year production. The only differences between both are the presence of a rear ashtray design shared with the Gremlin and American (due to the loss of the console-mounted rear ashtray), a locally produced instrument cluster replacing the imported unit and the chromed squared door mirrors originally used on the Rally SST (minus the still optional controls). Both optional packages of 1982 were still available this year. A unique to Mexico was the vehicle called the VAM Lerma, which was based on the Concord's 4-door chassis with the Spirit's front and rear liftback body parts and unique rear quarter panels. The VAM Spirit-based Rally model is one of the most sought after and grand favorite models of the marque, and also one of the most collectible. The most important versions are the 1980–1981 Rally GTs, followed next by the one-year Rally SST and lower volume 1982–1983 AMX, mainly units with any of the two optional packages. The 1983 model was the final chapter of the "VAM Rally" original Mexican performance model that began in the 1969 Rambler American two door sedan. The most accurately similar AMC car to the 1980–1983 VAM Rally is the 1983 Spirit GT, except for the Rally SST which found its equivalent in the Spirit Limited. The Spirit coupe base model, the Spirit-based AMX and the Eagle SX/4 were not available in Mexico. The VAM Gremlin is also one of the favorite models of the marque among Mexican enthusiasts. The X models are the most collectible and sought after, with a special mention for the 1981 model as it was the only four-speed variant as well as the 1982 models with upgraded engine and their condition of final-chapter last-year units. Spirit sedan-based VAM Gremlins have a higher popularity among VAM fans than the original Gremlin models. The Spirit name was used by Chrysler, which took over AMC in 1987, for a four-door sedan called the Dodge Spirit from 1989 to 1995.