| The AMC Gremlin, quite a collectible as far as | | | | six-cylinder engine did produce an impressive power |
| automobiles go, is quickly becoming scarce in number. It | | | | ratio, once clocked as going from zero to 60 mph in |
| was designed by the late Richard Teague and was | | | | just 11.9 seconds. It was used as a racing car by some |
| first displayed at the New York International Auto | | | | drivers and was recorded at traveling as fast as 100 |
| Show in April, 1968; the AMC Gremlin was the first | | | | mph at the Daytona Speedway. |
| American subcompact car on sale, (being a vehicle | | | | When the AMC Gremlin was released, one critic said |
| class smaller than a compact car and larger than an | | | | that it was the "best American buy of the year" which |
| urban car.) | | | | was quite a big rap for such a small performer; being |
| Debuting for the princely sum of $1879, the original | | | | quite sprightly, its appeal was enhanced amongst |
| model came with 2 or 4 seats and a choice of a 128 | | | | buyers. |
| or 145 horsepower motor. It was manufactured by the | | | | Although the AMC Gremlin may not go down in the |
| smallest of the U.S.'s auto companies and being aimed | | | | books as one of the best performing cars in history, it |
| as a competitor to the Volkswagon bug, the Gremlin | | | | did inspire and excite many with its unique features. An |
| had a very ambitious genesis. | | | | 'Open Fire' Gremlin, 'Gremlin Grinder', and 'Greased |
| Shapewise, the Gremlin was quite unusual to look at | | | | Gremlin' were three models that were released as |
| and it was devised by modifying the AMC Javelin, a | | | | toys, thus expanding on the models overall popularity |
| former model. Essentially the back section of the | | | | and impact; a clear plexiglass Gremlin replica was even |
| Javelin was cut off to produce the Gremlin's unique | | | | constructed at one stage. |
| form; "What happened to the rest of your car?" and | | | | From the 'Concept 1' and 'Concept 11' through to the |
| other quips were common in regards to the car's | | | | 1979 Spirit Liftback (the model that eventually replaced |
| strange appearance. | | | | the Gremlin), this odd looking car will always be |
| With over 670,000 units being sold, the AMC Gremlin | | | | remembered as being an American phenomenon. |
| attained a remarkable popularity considering its | | | | Retaining a unique place in the annals of American car |
| particular oddities. Nine models were made between | | | | culture, it is renowned as being a featured car model in |
| the years 1970 - 1978 and much remodelling and | | | | the hit T.V. series "The Simpsons"; Marge Simpson |
| modernizing occurred over this time period. | | | | was a proud owner of a Gremlin when in high school |
| A fascinating piece of information about the Gremlin | | | | and a few other characters also drove them. |
| was the tests conducted by Universities in the early | | | | Whilst the V8 sporty X package is regarded as the |
| 1970's to run it with alternative fuel sources such as | | | | most valuable of the Gremlin line, the many models of |
| natural gas, hydrogen and even electric power; a | | | | this charming automobile that were released shall live |
| forerunner of things to come. | | | | on in the memories of its numerous fans. Start your |
| With 28 to 30 miles per gallon, the Gremlin wasn't the | | | | motors! |
| most economical car in its class, yet its small | | | | |