Because American Motors always had a smaller pocketbook compared to the “Big 3”, the introduction of a new car was often done on a shoestring budget. A case in point is the Gremlin, the company’s first subcompact (although it really wasn’t one). It was a shortened Hornet with a Kammback-style roofline. But it sold well enough to stick around for nine model years before morphing into the Spirit for five more. This 1975 edition is a bare-bones, one-owner car that’s been idle for a few years, so some coaxing will be needed to get it out of the driveway. Located in Morristown, New Jersey, this “import fighter” is available here on craigslist for $7,500. Thanks for this survivor tip, Pat L.!
When the quirky-looking Gremlin debuted, AMC called it “the first American-built import” as it not only had to do battle with the new Chevy Vega and Ford Pinto but the growing onslaught of Japanese and German imports. The automobile wasn’t as thrifty on gas as the others because it was 1,000 lbs. heavier, but it had a six-cylinder to do the heavy lifting rather than a four-banger. More than 671,000 Gremlins in total would see the light of day, but only 56,000 in 1975. That was the year the really quirky AMC Pacer debuted, and it cut into Gremlin and Hornet sales.
Remember when a new car cost $3,600? That’s what the seller’s Gremlin did according to the original invoice from a dealer in New York State. This auto has few options, limited mostly to an automatic transmission and AM radio. The car apparently found its way 50 miles to the west in New Jersey along with the original owner, and it looks to be in fair condition for its age.
After a lengthy hibernation, we’re told the car does start, move, and stop, but the seller doesn’t elaborate on how well these things are accomplished. The odometer reads 78,000 miles, which suggests there should be life left in the drivetrain. The basic 232 cubic inch I-6 motor is present. This Gremlin looks good from afar but has its share of little dings and scratches. Also, the plaid upholstery on at least the front seat is going to need redoing.
One odd thing is that different wheel covers are shown in two photos, and I would prefer the dog dish examples rather than the others. Flippers beware: the seller is firm on his/her price, so don’t expect to make a killing off this purchase.
While I mentioned most of the Gremlins accolades on the last one, I won’t repeat, however, I will say, by 1975, it was wearing thin. Imports were obviously the better choice, and the hipsters that bought these originally, had grown up and got better jobs, the Gremlin was history. Oddly enough, those folks that “grew up”, bought Pacers. I had a friend with a very successful body shop, could have had any car he wanted, but loved his Pacer. What goes around, comes around, apparently, and this Gremlin would make a great car today, if you could pry those dually pickups out of the owners hands. You’ll see, that too shall pass, and guess what? Seeing 1st hand how many Gremlins were trashed, makes it difficult to pay $7,500 bucks for one, but therein lies the issue. Only a handful are left, and funny, for a car that originally was the cheapest car sold, well, that’s a bit much.
I’m not so sure about 1975 imports. Buddy had a 75 datsun B210 and it rusted so fast on a cool calm evening you could hear it rust. 75 corollas weren’t any better. Early civics got crusty rapidly also. Mechanically decent but Japanese body integrity didnt improve till into the 80s
The brother of a girl I went to High School had a new ’72 Gremlin X with the 304 V8 and 3-speed floor mounted transmission. It was a beautiful Hunter Green Metallic with gold decals. Even though it only had something like 150 net HP, it was pretty quick. I searched high and low for one ever since and never came across another one.
In the spirit of Mr. Norm, Grant Randall under the name Randall Engineering, in Mesa, AZ offered the Gremlin 401-XR with 255 horsepower, a Borg-Warner 4-speed transmission and Twin Grip rear axle.
https://www.streetmusclemag.com/features/muscle-cars-you-should-know-amc-gremlin-401-xr/
Thanks for the link to the Randall Motors Gremlin XR. I really enjoyed reading it – I drove a Gremlin for a few months in 1976, and it was fun, but pretty bare bones. We once crammed 10 people in it to go to a concert in the country north of Ottawa – luckily, we made it home alive!
Sorry to say but it’s worth maybe half of what he’s asking by 75 these cars were done and using parts from the hornet just get the bodies put together and amc didn’t have to scrap them
Remember $3600 Russ?!! Heck, i remember $1879 for a Gremlin in a 1970 ad! —->
https://i.pinimg.com/474x/b6/92/23/b69223d2830b54cd6f831fc059c00380–amc-gremlin-vintage-auto.jpg
Heck of a price increase by ’75 for te mere addition of a cat converter & heavier bumpers.
I’m surprised AMC did not offer a 4 cylinder – maybe a version of the 232 or 258 with 2 less cylinders, like Chevy did with its ’60s strait 6.
Might not be a bad idea to pull that heavy rubber mat out of the interior to ck the condition of the floors & then replace it with new carpet that can do wonders for the interior.
Is that a plastic vacuum advance on the dirstributor?!
If I remember correctly the distributor’s vacuum advance was made of a hard plastic for a few model years.
This car’s grille is from a 1976. That was the only year the Gremlin had round parking and turn signal lamps.
The grille is original. AMC kept slim inventory margin as model years ended so lot of extras didn’t pile up. Instead, they ran themselves out of the old and starting using the new, early, like the 76 front trim on this late-75.
If that was the case, , early 76 models would have 75 grilles, not the other way around. . Its a 76 grille i that someone changed out, likely due to damage; the grilles were all plastic .
No, you have it backwards. As they near the end of 75 production, they run out of 75 parts but the new parts for 76 are on hand for the coming year already and they use them to finish the last 75s. This car is 100% original, as built.
I doubt AMC or any other company would have built so few parts they would be running out at the end of a model year ; they had to make more than enough parts legally to repair cars for several years , they couldn’t just say “sorry there aren’t any pieces left ” My 74 Gremlin was hit in the right front in 78 , and the dealership replaced the fender ,grille and bumper with new parts from the factory- there was no internet, so there was no searching around back then
I didn’t say they raided the ‘replacement parts’ stock they were required to maintain for 10 years to build new cars with. That’s a separate inventory entirely. The new-car parts inventory at the FACTORY was intentionally run out by end of year. Again, the car is precisely as the factory built it. You can choose to believe otherwise, but that doesn’t make it so. Diehard AMC collectors know this was standard practice in Kenosha.
I just added a new last photo to the ad, taken August 1975, shortly after she took delivery. The grille is original.
Someone passed me two days ago, pulling a trailer with a Gremlin LevI Edition in need of restoration…
My sister had a Levis edition back in the Seventies. The seats sure were comfortable.
$3600 new.
My parent’s 71, identically equipped [radio/auto], plus side stripe was $2600 [four passenger].
Plus an AMC promo threw in a 13″ B&W TV with the purchase.
In just four years what the car company heads had predicted [smog and safety regs] was coming true.
Add inflation and what people were finding was the same money that paid for full size the last time they were in the market, bought a mid-size or smaller car.
Dashboard as badly slapped together as Mom and Dad’s ’71 but it’s held up remarkably well.
Cash on the hood, price is Firm. GLWS.
Grrrr… Lost my fairly long reply to JoeNYWF64 totally because I wasn’t signed in. Arrrg…
So firm on his price that it’s now down from $7500 to $6500. …. I hear the sound of falling prices, like what happens near the end of a swap meet, ha ha!
My new 1972 with free air conditioning cost $2900.