When I say the word “Gremlin,” the words beautiful, or even cute don’t necessarily spring to mind. Unless you’re thinking of Gizmo from the movie Gremlins–that little guy is adorable. In 1970, the American Motor Company introduced the Gremlin to its lineup. This feisty little sub-compact came onto the muscle car scene with a vengance. With engine choices ranging from a 2.0L 4 banger all the way to a massive 6.6L V-8, it’s no surprise that Gremlins were popular among people that cared more about power to weight ratio than looking cool.
But if you think about it, there’s nothing more muscle car than the AMC Gremlin. It follows the muscle car mantra of huge V-8 shoehorned into smaller car better than any muscle car of the era. Even rarer is this Gremlin X we found on Racing Junk. Not only does it have the famed 401 engine but the gears are shifted the good old fashioned way with three pedals. This original example of the best of the best Gremlin ever can be yours for only $16,500 and yes that is the original paint color from the factory called “Wild Plum;” the seventies were crazy huh? “The car is 5 hours of work and $200 away from being a show car!” says the owner. Maybe it’s worth the call, we certainly think so.
A girl in my high school had one with a 304 and 4-speed. Not quick by today’s standards, but it did a pretty good burnout. LOL
I knew a guy I graduated with in 1980 that had a nasty orange Gremlin with 401 and a 4-speed that regularly chewed up and spit out most everything that came its way, fun to watch, but a handful to drive.
I remember a local AMC dealer would sell new Gremlins with a 401 intalled w/headers, intake, etc. With all AMC V8’s having the same physical dimensions it was easy to swap the 304 with a 401.
I like the funky look of the Gremlins and I’d love to have this one if the funds were available.
I had a buddy in high school that had a Gremlin with a SBC in it. That was one quick but scary ride.
Corky was big shot in the AMC racing program and his son had a 401 gremlin with all the goodies and ported and polished heads. I raced him on Gratiot Ave one night with my 65 289 K motor Falcon Super Sprint. It had the GT40 kit with the Cobra manifold and dual quads with a Super T10. I smoked that Gremlin three times going south down Gratiot. Little did he know I had Gapp & Roush prepared welded port heads with 2″ nickel intakes, 567 lift 318-320 I & E duration cam with Hooker Super Comp headers. He pulled up next to me and said ” Is that a 427 Thunderbolt?” Long story short he was buying me a six pack just to see my engine and came out of Buschemee’s with a 12 pack of Bud and sat it down. So much for fast AMC’s in the motor City!