Leading hot rod designer and builder Chip Foose puts his own twist on the unique American Motors Pacer.

The American Motors Pacer of 1975-80 (read our feature about it here) has always been a polarizing design: Car enthusiasts tend to love it or hate it, and that’s putting it mildly. But the haters may be surprised to learn that the admirers include a number of the world’s top automotive stylists. For example, there’s Porsche designer Tony Lapine, who says the Pacer inspired the German carmaker’s 928 coupe. Interestingly enough, the admirers—or interested onlookers, we might say—also include leading American hot rod designer Chip Foose.

Like many car designers, Foose has long been intrigued with the AMC product’s unique proportions and clean styling elements. So for a recent episode in his continuing series of design videos for Hagerty, he’s taken on the Pacer, and it’s fascinating to see what he’s done with it. Video follows.