The seller of this 1978 AMC Gremlin says, “This car is a time capsule.” With a claimed 2,250 original miles and said to have been garage kept its entire life, it’s hard to disagree. Thank you to Barn Finds reader Jason F. for sending in this Gremlin. It can be found here on Craigslist in Canandaigua, New York with an asking price of $15,000.
The Hornet-based Gremlin was in it’s final year of production in 1978. Production in that final year had dropped sharply as only 22,104 of the 671,475 Gremlins built from 1970 to 1978 rolled off the assembly line in 1978. Subcompact economy car competition was increasing, so AMC replaced the love-it-or-hate-it 8-year old Gremlin with the Spirit.
Aside from saying there’s no rust, the seller has not offered a description of the exterior, but if the 2,250 original miles and garage kept its entire life claims are true, I’d expect this one to be like new. The paint and chrome are shining in the sunlight and there’s no obvious signs of damage or excessive wear. While it’s currently wearing what appear to be Cragar S/S wheels – which I think look right here – the original hubcaps are included.
The interior description is equally vague, simply described as having “no rips.” Hopefully the pictures are accurately representing the condition, as the interior looks like new. The simple black interior – especially the bench seat – evoke that “economy” feel. I’d vacuum the floors, but this looks ready to show other than that.
Sticking with the limited description theme, all we’re told is that this Gremlin is equipped with a 6-cylinder. That could be a 3.8L or 4.2L and the lone photo of the engine doesn’t offer much help in unraveling the mystery. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a column-shifted automatic transmission.
I can’t imagine there’s many people clamoring for a low-mileage original 1978 AMC Gremlin, but if you’re somebody who is, this has to be a rare opportunity. As mentioned earlier the Gremlin seems to be love-it-or-hate-it, but they definitely capture attention at shows. Does an ultra-low mileage 42-year old subcompact economy car pique your interest?
That valve cover looks pretty beat up for less than three thousand miles.
No way is this only 2250 miles. There more missing paint off radiator, valve cover, engine, than the outside of car. Might be a garage fine need to pull oil pan off to make sure. Also if they are selling gremlin at 2250 miles,they need to have it documented. Make sure numbers matching car or it will a 42 year old money pit.
Although my boss has proved “them” wrong with his trove, I’ve heard it said that when buying any classic car, one should start by purchasing the “best example to be found”. This one here sure is a tidy example. To my eye, the Cragar wheels lend to a great period look. But if I was going to be tempted to part with $15,000 for this little blue Gremmie it’s; going to have to have three pedals. Nice find.
Really, Less Than Fifty Five (55) Miles Per Year?
Someone, Anyone At All,Might On The Outside Chance Call Bull$hit…
Could be someone’s estate car, but I doubt it. Looks like 102, 500 miles to me
though. The car does look great for what
you get. The engine looks like a 258 to me. Had a few of them and they were
damned near bulletproof. Last one I had
was in an ’82 Concord wagon which ran
over 250K miles before I sold it. Nice
car. Someone will buy it.
Knowing OEM vinyl back in the 1970s, I would imagine the first person to sit in the seat would rip or crease it. So, I’m thinking that it is new.
The saying goes, there is an a** for every seat. If the car is rock solid, might get close for that price but not $15K unless it was a V8 powered Gremlin X.
Huh?
Probably 102,250 miles. Swap a 401 in and a T5 with a Jeep bellhousing and do infinite burnouts
I’m not sure what’s a taller tale, the mileage or the price? I suppose it is possible, and it’s far too clean to be 102K, but not likely 2K. While that engine paint didn’t hold up well, it is a great find, I don’t know about a 5 figure Gremlin, maybe half that, but regardless of the mileage, being last of the Mohicans, it’s worth something, just not $15g’s. Nice try, though.
Even with a 304 manual and a/c, it would still be a big maybe.
I question the mileage. It’s obvious the odometer has been tampered with. In the photo it reads02220.9. The 0 and 9 don’t line up with the 2’s because it’s turning to 02221.0. That’s fine. But the first 0 not lining up with the 2’s draws a red flag! I’ve been around enough old cars (as well as new), to know that odometers NEVER break, they can just stop working. When they stop working and it’s directly related to the odometer, it never causes the numbers to the left not to line up with the ones on the right, unless the tenths and digit to left of tenths is changing. In this case, the 0 and 222 should be in perfect alignment.
Not to mention, who in the 70’s would buy an economy car and not drive it? If it were rarely driven, for whatever reason, there would be a lot of documentation. It’s still a nice example, but I wouldn’t pay anywhere near $15k.
Either tampered with or it flipped over at least one time.
Why does every car that has 100K miles on it have to look like crap, it’s just not true. A well cared for, garaged car should look fine. Granted the materials weren’t the greatest, but nothing that a few well-placed items (carpet, seat covers, etc) couldn’t fix.
some salesman talked my mom into buying a 73, back then. “it’s cute and blue” she said. I drove a bmw 2002, i got behind the wheel of the gremlin and the sled felt unsafe, especially a high speeds. the front end would rise and it felt like it was in command. in my opinion, one of the most dangerous cars I have ever driven.
A flipper who is looking for a sucker. Good cars, and this is nice, but the valve cover looks like 102000 plus miles, scatches and dirt.
I love it, but NOT 15000.00 worth, for that kind of money, I would have to check it out real good first. BUT I LOVE IT.
The low miles could be correct. I’m thinking the owner came to his senses and said, “what the heck was I thinking, buying this ugly car??” So he hid it away, out of sight. Good move. Now selling it…better move.
Jose is correct if the numerals dont line up perfectly the odometer has been tampered with.
Matthew Grant above, did the ’73 gremlin have cheap bias ply tires & the 4 cylinder & no a/c & no p/s?
The amc strait 6 is heavier than the chevy strait 6. The old a/c & p/s components are heavy too. with radial tires & the latter, i would think high speed stbility would be good.
Have the bumpers of the gremlin for sale here been TUCKED IN by a prev owner? Looks good.
I believe 5mph bumpers were still req’d in ’78 – compare these to a ’78 pinto’s 5mph bumpers.
With the bench seat, it WAS a “good date” car, back in the day that is, especially if the girl like the car!
Would the driver get a ticket TODAY if a date sits real close to him even if she’s buckled up? Can’t remember the last time i seen a girl sittin close to a guy driver, since the ’80s. Much less a girl hitchhiker. lol
Can you get a basic pickup today with a bench seat?
Jose is correct. It appears he’s been reading my posts for the past 6 months at least, since his explanation of the odometer being messed with is exactly what I’ve been preaching. So the odometer is inaccurate on this “find”, and like others have written that valve cover has had the oil fill cap removed more than a few time.
Why does the odometer have to “messed with”? Why can’t it simply be that it rolled over and the seller is passing it off as a low mileage car? That makes better sense.
The market has spoken. Listed for 3 wks and no sale. At $5,000. this would find a buyer. At $7,500. this might sell. But that’s it. Virus or no virus, this Gremlin will never sell for more than $7,500.
Seems many people choose to be oblivious about the economic realities / fallout of Covid 19 pandemic virus and its impact on odd collector car market values. $15,000 to too much for this toy in 2020. Nice try. Happy flipping.