designed as "reasonably size[d] passenger cars" offering a comfortable ride and handling on pavement, the amc eagles "behave more like mountain goats" when off the road. the value of four-wheel drive in the amc eagle was apparent when driving in slippery conditions, and they were used in america's first ice-driving school. the eagle models provided the comfort and appointments expected of passenger models with off-road technology offering an extra margin of safety and traction. the eagle was designed for customers that "must get through regardless of road or weather conditions (doctors, police, emergency personnel and so on)" as well as those living areas of bad weather or roads, and adventurous hunters and fishermen. the amc eagle did not compete with traditional, rudimentary four-wheel-drive vehicles. the company did not design the eagle as an off-pavement recreation vehicle, but rather as a passenger car that offers added benefits. not built for off-road performance as a chevrolet blazer or a jeep cherokee, the eagle "will overcome mud, sand, snow, and obstacles that would stop ordinary sedans cold."