Let’s be honest. If I were choosing a candidate for a custom build, a 1973 AMC Gremlin X wouldn’t make the top of my list. I admire AMC, but I believe that the company built more appropriate cars for a custom approach. Thankfully, the classic world is full of people who march to the beat of a different drummer, and this car is the result of that approach. It looks impressive, but the small-block Chevrolet V8 hiding under the hood gives it genuine performance credentials. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Hans H for spotting this beauty listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Batavia, Illinois. Driving it home will involve handing the seller $25,000.
This ’73 Gremlin immediately catches your attention. The seller painted it in a shade very similar to Surfside Blue, adding stripes in Pearlescent White and Red. Faulting the exterior presentation is seemingly impossible. The depth of color and shine is amazing, and the panels are as straight as an arrow. AMC was at the forefront of corrosion prevention strategies, making this classic’s rust-free status unsurprising. The trim appears flawless, with the chrome sparkling against the rich paint shade. The glass is clear, and the chunky slotted wheels add a sense of purpose. They (and the decal on the rear hatch) are also the most obvious sign that there might be more to this classic than meets the eye.
Whoa, I bet you weren’t expecting that! Buyers could order a ’73 Gremlin with the 304ci V8 under the hood. It delivered 150hp and 245 ft/lbs of torque, providing acceptable performance at a time when engine power and torque figures were in free fall. This Gremlin features a V8, but it didn’t come from the AMC Parts Catalog. It is a 350ci Chevrolet small-block, and it is anything but standard. The seller bored the block 0.060″ over, added an Edelbrock RPM Power Package Top End Kit, bringing aluminum cylinder heads and a polished intake to the party. The four-barrel carburetor is from the same manufacturer, with the spent gases exiting via headers and a dual exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers. An MSD ignition system supplies a nice, fat spark, and an aluminum radiator keeps matters cool. Forget 150hp, because this V8 churns out over 400. So, how does it feed that power to the road? A four-speed 700R4 automatic transmission points the ponies to a Twin Grip rear end from a 1969 AMX. Although not specifically stated, it appears that this Gremlin is a turnkey proposition.
While the exterior and drivetrain need nothing, it is fair to describe the Gremlin’s interior as a work in progress. The seller added new “Levi” front seatcovers, but the back seat has some splits requiring attention. The carpet is faded, and there is a hole in the dashboard where the radio should be. However, the dash, pad, and door trims look pretty respectable. They relocated the shifter, utilizing a B&M unit to complement the upgraded transmission.
It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That is certainly the case with the 1973 AMC Gremlin X. The styling enamors some people, while others feel that AMC missed the market quite badly. Regardless of which camp you fall into, you must admit that our feature car is different. It demonstrates what is possible if enthusiasts let their imaginations run wild. It won’t win universal praise, but the engine transplant will deliver an enormous performance gain, making it fun to drive. The question is whether that is grounds for you to pursue this classic further. What do you say?
I think i would keep the hood closed and tell anyone who asked that it had a 390 or a 401 in it.
I hear ya…Love a 350, who doesn’t Joe… but AMC had a real nice range of V8s to pick from. That said, bet it’s a blast to drive as is 👍🚀
Just an observation, but the car has a custom decal on the back that says 5.6 liter, which is roughly a 340. If that’s accurate, and since it’s obviously an SBC, it’s probably a .060 over 305 with a 3.75″ (400) crank in it rather than a 350. Not much difference really, except that the 305 bore, even at .060 over would limit you to a 1.94 intake valve. A bit quirky also since you could find a usable 350 block for less than the cost of boring and stroking the 305 and you’d still have more CI. Either way, it’s pretty cool for a Gremlin.
They are probably trying to pass it off as a 343. That would 5.6 liters.
nit picking doesnt impress. your knowledge of engines is average. however this sleeper will smoke those camaros ass!!!
Two words. Grow. up.
That is the cleaned up response.
There is an article attached that describes the engine as this:
“The 350 was bored .060-over and enhanced with an Edelbrock RPM Power Package Top End Kit with polished manifold and cylinder heads. The carb is a four-barrel Edelbrock Thunder Series- opens in new window or tab., and the car is equipped with MSD electronic ignition- opens in new window or tab.. The engine drives through a GM 700R4- opens in new window or tab. performance automatic transmission with a B&M sport shifter”
Awww…I’d say anyone who frequents this site probably has a higher than average knowledge of engines.
Looks great, but not $25k great.
AMC only made ONE car I would pay $25K for, and that was the `57 Ltd. edition Rebel sedan. Good luck finding one today. Only a handful of the original 1500 built still exist!
AMC made several cars that had some red, white and blue paint on that were pretty neat! And, pretty fast.
I think you mean a ’77. ’57 only had Ambassadors, etc. They didn’t have the mid sized Rebel
Will Fox is right, Bearin.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rambler_Rebel#First_generation
Now this is a very cool car. The builder did an amazing job and hit it out of the ballpark and i believe the price is fair this is one Gremlin i would love to own.
I grew up in the 70’s with a family of Amc’s, and I Could not agree more, love this car. Wish i could have it!! Jim P
Back in the 70s these used to run at Watkins Glen,Road Atlanta and Sebring along with Porches and BMWs and we’re a lot of to watch
looks great but a lot of money for a gremlin
Pretty cool, but they need to find that one guy who thinks it’s cool and wants to part with $25k. There’s a lot of competition at that price these days.
If you can find one Randall AMC, a dealership in Mesa, Arizona, put an AMC 401 cubic-inch V8 called it a 401-XR. They were mainly used for drag racing and ran in the 12 second range. I saw them run a few times out at Beeline Dragway in Scottsdale. Only around 20 of them were made. That would be a Gremlin to have.
$18,000 more in line and I think that might be a lil high…………
2 – 73′ Gremlin X ‘s with different stripes,only one is correct.I had a 72’X i bought new with neither of those.
Looks like my ‘73, $2600 new for college commuting. Appears close to my Olympic Blue. Stripe very similar, an option on entry model, not X stripes. Missing the chrome roof rack! Might be a retirement hobby if it had its original drive train.
BearInTN, there were 1,500 Rebels built in 1957. They were equipped with the AMC 327 V8 but with solid lifters and a higher compression ratio. All were 4-doors and were silver with gold anodized side spears.
At the 1957 Daytona performance trials the Rebel was only outrun by one vehicle, and that was the ’57 Corvette. That’s why the ’57 Rebel is often referred to as the very first muscle car.
I like it! Looks well done. I’m betting the Chevy engine is lighter weight than the 304 AMC engine. I like Gremlins anyways. But the I like this one just fine.
Certainly a hard sale , have to find the right person willing to spend $25 on a amc , gremlin with a chevy engine with blue paint , i believe this car will be for sale for quite some time
I’ve restored many cars.
One of my personal rules is “Build it the way YOU want it.
The downside of that axiom is when you decide to sell
“Don’t think everyone thinks like you.”
Real nice looking car. Lots of care and $$$ put into it by the builder.
That doesn’t mean it’s worth 25K.
Even with all the cool upgrades
IT’S STILL A GREMLIN.
Hank you nailed it !
Things that make you go hmmm… went to the FB ad, there’s a link to a story about how it sold “recently” on ebay for $22500 back in March as it sits and its for sale again already? Hmmm…. interesting. Here’s the link https://www.ebay.com/motors/blog/vehicles/blue-jean-amc-gremlin-x-packs-a-chevy-punch
I saw in description: “It won’t win universal praise”.
Well, maybe not, but it should be praised.
Why? Because some car enthusiast got enthused and spent so much time and effort and built what he wanted. Isn’t that the spirit that drives the enthusiasm of the enthusiast?
I realize many on this forum are interested in price – as if they could actually buy it. I too consider it, though likely could not afford it. I always consider the price of cars on this forum in the light of “daily Driver”, not “collector/flipper”. I assume that just like a new car the one I am looking at will depreciate down to nothing.
Like many on this forum, I have bought these cars when they were like 5-6 years old, paying like $50 -$300 tops! The odometer did not bother to go past 999,999. But us gearheads managed to have running cars for cheap that today are very expensive to buy.
awesome comment donald. m any of these so called experts criticize .out of a desire for confrontation. i think it would be a fun sleeper for kicking mustang ass when its done. . its just done