I’m not exactly sure why, but it’s been a longstanding pattern for me to often root for the underdogs, whether it’s losing sports teams, music that’s not popular, or even domestic vehicles not manufactured by the “Big 3”. This may have been triggered at a young age when my dad bought a new Gremlin, one of those oddly shaped compacts that were typically not considered a cool form of transportation during the seventies. However, times have changed, and most vintage AMC offerings are no longer being shunned as they sometimes were several decades ago. This 1973 Gremlin here on Craigslist is the sporty “X” model, and it appears to be a well-cared-for example. Priced at $11,900, this one’s residing way up in the northeast in Oxford, Maine, and we’d like to thank reader Tony Primo for locating it and sending in the tip!
It’s one thing for a manufacturer to give a car a masculine name, or a moniker that’s associated with something fun, sporty, trendy, or reliable. For AMC to choose a title like Gremlin was a risk from the get-go, as this term is sometimes associated with undetectable sources of problems. Looking back, I don’t recall ours ever having any serious trouble and very few minor issues, even at the 100k-mile mark. The seller reports that this car has only traveled 62,000 miles, has recently been serviced, and needs nothing. Power comes from an inline-6 engine, though there’s no word on whether it’s a 232 or 258-cubic-inch unit.
Another positive here is that this one sports the optional X package, and though no performance enhancements were included, it did feature a full-length side stripe and some additional smaller striping on the top areas of the quarters. The luggage rack and wind deflector over the rear hatch also enhance the top appearance on this one, and while it’s not clarified if this is still the original paint, this Gremlin appears to be in very nice shape cosmetically and structurally, regardless. It’s said to have previously resided in Ohio and was shipped to Maine about two years ago.
The mostly red interior has received some upgrades and features a few custom touches, such as those front buckets and the console sitting in between them. There’s some wear on the driver’s armrest, but overall, things in here look pretty sweet. More good news is that the undercarriage also appears solid, with the provided photos showing strong rails and floors. AMC Gremlins are no longer comedy material, and I’m guessing someone will be eager to snatch this one up fairly quickly. Is the seller’s asking price in the ballpark for what we’re seeing here?
This one has a couple of upgrades seats and luggage rack which I suppose if you’re traveling it would definitely be a plus. I am 6’2″ and when I was in Minot and the gas prices jumped (we were Airmen) three of us started car pooling and I did ride in the back of X package Gremlin. Green with gold stripes, white lettering on the tires. Sitting sideways, and enjoying the ride lol. They were a decent transportation and the heater worked just fine. That’s Minot ND 3 months of decent weather!
I grew up right north of MAFB. Where did you live?
Ha… Sometime in the late ’70s I took a year break from college to earn some money and the 2nd gas crisis hit… when it was a challenge just to find gas not just pay for it… I started car pooling with a couple other guys… two of us had Gremlins… so can relate to your back seat comment…
Interior looks like it’s spray painted. I don’t recall Gremlins or Hornets with a RED interior like that. (Also you can see paint wearing off of the driver’s door arm rest.)
I’d lose the fat rear tires. They’re kind of ridiculous on a six-cylinder Gremmie. I don’t really care for the look of the aftermarket bucket seats but they are no doubt more comfortable than AMC stock.
Gremlins tend to get a bad rap from people who don’t know them but aside from awful space utilization (they’re really two-seaters) they are not bad cars and are actually pleasant to drive when equipped with a few well-chosen options.
Those seats in this car are ridiculous.
It’s Gremlin week on Barn Finds.
A Gremmy X, with a six and an automatic. Just like your hip granny desired.
A 2fer for the Grems today!! COOL!!
Pretty decent shape also!! There are a couple sweet ones in my town.
Writing the vehicle came from Ohio and is now in Maine doesn’t seem like a selling point. A V8 in her would be sweet, tho…
Two 1973 AMC Gremlin X’s on BF’s today. Who would have thunk?
I feel you Mike – I usualy also find myself rooting for the underdogs – also wonder why sometimes
I like everything about this Gremlin but the mounting architecture for the bumpers which thanks to regulations at the time, stick out 3″ more than they should. The AMC highjack bucket seats were way more comfortable than these aftermarket buckets, but the aftermarket buckets are way better for cornering. The tires are just fine for handling. Mine had bigger tires on the back and no one ever said a bad word about them.
I remember when AMC first introduced the Gremlin, and the GremlinX as well.
I liked ’em then and still like ’em. AMC products, in general, have grown on me over the years. Such a spunky company.
But, my gut tells me that THIS Gremlin is just an “X-wannabe”.
It probably started-out as a plain-jane, stock-model…which has merely been tarted-up to fool the undiscerning.
Lipstick on a Librarian.
Your wrong – it’s a factory X – I’m the one selling it.
Body 055518 – Sequential body number
Model 7346-5 – 1973 Gremlin
Trim 313W – 1973 AMC product with blue interior and Levi’s fabric upholstery in Gremlin X with front bucket seats
Paint A1-GX – Snow White paint on Gremlin X
Had a Gremlin as a starving student… “Sporty” is not a word I’d use to describe it… Cheap, utilitarian, practical, serviceable… yes… “sporty”… no.
I’m selling it – original paint – 258 – came out of Washington state before Ohio
Why isn’t the rear panel in red like the rest of the “X” accents? The accent-color was universal on every GremlinX I ever saw; all the way across, just above the rear bumper, taillight-to-taillight.
At the very least, this can’t be all-original paint.
I can’t dispute those identifying numbers you furnished, but I remain skeptical.
BTW, I’ve always thought that the ’73s were the best-executed of the GremlinX’s. “Big” bumpers and all.
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