Import Fighter! 1970 AMC Gremlin
Chevy and Ford got into the subcompact game in 1971 with all-new cars, the Vega and Pinto, respectively. Chrysler went the route of rebadging imports from Europe and Japan. AMC, with its limited resources, went a different direction. They chopped a foot out of the wheelbase of the new Hornet and created a hatchback that was more compact car than sub-compact. But the little autos helped AMC stay afloat in the 1970s with 671,000 copies built in nine model years. In Pomona, California, this first-year Gremlin does run, but it needs more mechanical attention. It’s available here on eBay for $4,000 (Buy It Now) or you can submit an offer.
The Gremlin has been picked on for years, probably for its name, but it wasn’t a bad car. AMC didn’t have the resources to cook up a new small car, so the Gremlin became an abridged Hornet. Smaller in size than competing compacts, it was a bit larger than the imports because – from the cowl forward – the Gremlin was a Hornet. Right down to the six-banger engine, which would make it more powerful than those around it, but not as thrifty on gasoline. It was introduced on April Fool’s Day in 1970, so it got a bit of a jump on the Vega and Pinto coming to market.
This ’70 Gremlin has been owned by the seller for about a year and he’s added only a handful of miles to the odometer. The 232 or 258 cubic-inch inline-6 runs and the car moves, but it’s going to need help in the stopping department. We’re told it has “double drum” brakes, which I must admit not having heard of before. The seller is mistaken in saying this is a V6 automobile. The car does come with new tires.
At 58,000 miles, the body and paint (original) have their fair share of dents, dings, and surface rust. It would be surprising not to find more after 51 years (like in the passenger side door). The interior is also going to need a makeover, with at least the seats getting new upholstery as well as the door panels. And the headliner is especially messy. Unless you’re in an AMC club, Gremlins don’t seem to have a collector following, but is it about due? Is the seller asking a fair price for a project car from the year after the company retired the Rambler name?
Auctions Ending Soon
2006 Ford Mustang Saleen S281 SCBid Now11 hours$15,000
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now3 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now3 days$3,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now3 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now5 days$10,500
Comments
a Big Bad Blue Gremlin. very rare
Thought that was BBB, and indeed never saw a Gremlin in this shade (BB Green, yes). Were those buckets available in ‘70? I’ve never seen that style in a Gremlin this early. Cute little thing, though she is unfortunately an automatic, I hope she is rescued, and restored to original. ‘70 – ‘73 don’t come along too often.
More like seats cribbed from a later X.
http://oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/AMC/1972_AMC/1972%20AMC%20Full%20Line%20Brochure/image5.html
I’ve never driven one. Odds are I’d be disappointed. But I liked em back when they were used cars in my childhood. Disappeared quick in my area. So doggone odd looking. I love odd cars
Find a AMC V-8 and make it into what it should’ve been to begin with.
That’s exactly what I did. My first car was a 70 Gremlin. Mine had the 199 i6. My brother had a 74 X and he wrecked it and I got the 304 and put it in mine. NO EASY TASK THOUGH.
Double drum brakes must mean front and rear drums as disc brakes for these weren’t available until the mid 70’s, and that equals compensating for whichever way the front end pulls when you step on the brakes. One moment of inattention approaching a red light could find you suddenly in the other lane. Replacement front drums for these cars are not easy to find.
Discs, unboosted or boosted available in 72.
Consumer Reports recommended the ’73 so long as it had discs and power steering.
https://www.autozone.com/brakes-and-traction-control/brake-drum-front/amc/hornet
https://www.autozone.com/brakes-and-traction-control/brake-drum-front
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/rambler-and-amc-brake-drums
https://www.ebay.com/itm/384601657299?fits=Model%3AGremlin%7CMake%3AAMC&hash=item598c0b8fd3:g:aY4AAOSw4X1hujQg
https://www.ebay.com/itm/233847715179?fits=Model%3AGremlin%7CMake%3AAMC&epid=174574904&hash=item367268f56b:g:EKEAAOxyzGlQ826t
Front and rear drums available with a little bit of looking.
Even disc conversions available
Great info Psycho. Disc brakes became an option in 1972 and became standard on all Gremlins in 1977.
199 or 232. 258 was not available in ’70.
Agree 258 came along later.
1971 was the first year for the 258.
Worst car I ever owned was a 77 Gremlin. Aptly named it was in the repair shop frequently. But these are rare today in any year.
Guilty as charged. I owned a 74 Levi’s Gremlin which I used as a business car traveling the Pacific Northwest. Loved the interior but it would not stay tuned and really not a great drive. Sold it to a neighbor so it hung around neighborhood in North Seattle until we moved in 76. Collector model now? Go figure.
Collectible? Not in my world.
It’s so important to inform people what doesn’t fit into our personal lifestyles.
My mother had a 1973 in a similar shade called maxi blue. 6 cyl and Levi seats. First car I drove. Cleveland winters destroyed the outside and my mom’s smoking habit destroyed the inside, but a sturdy little car.
And she had power discs. Got it used after the dealership owner’s wife drove it for awhile. Joe Erdelac in Cleveland.
A 6cyl. with a automatic, pass but cool color.
Might be to far gone. And sadly, the parts may not be adapted to the later years, making it kind of valueless. Sorry.
My 2nd car bought in my senior year at college was a 1 year old 1971 Gremlin-X, with the bigger rally wheels, 3 on the floor non-syncro, no powers and straight six cylinder. Paid $2000 and 7 years later sold it for $950, still looked very good, no rust etc. Drivetrain had no repairs in 7 years. I laughed all the way to the bank, saved a lot of money compared to my friends with other small cars.