We normally see Gremlins with stripe packages like a Gremlin X, or other more fancy-looking models. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen such a basic looking car of any make than this 1978 AMC Gremlin. This one is listed here on eBay in beautiful Presque Isle, Michigan and there is a single bid of $3,500 but the reserve isn’t met. The seller has a $5,900 buy-it-now price listed.
I’m surprised as to how basic this Gremlin looks. There is nothing here really at all to dress this car up other than those dog-dish wheel caps. There is no extra chrome or trim, no fancy wheels, no stripes or badges, no curb feelers… wait a minute. A few folks always lament the fact that there are no really simple, basic cars out there anymore, well here’s your chance. Albeit, not exactly at a bargain-basement price.
1978 was the last year for the AMC Gremlin, at least by name. The Spirit replaced it in 1979 which came in a “Gremlin-looking” body style but also a sloping fastback model, all with two doors. I’ve never thought of that, I wonder what a Gremlin sedan would have looked like…
Sorry, you were probably hoping for a Photoshop version of a four-door Gremlin sedan. About the only thing I see so far that isn’t a bargain-basement piece is a column-mounted automatic gear selector. Normally we’d see an automatic on the floor but this Chrysler TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic is shifted on the column this time. The seller says that this car is from the south and there is no rust.
Another option, possibly a dealer option (?) is the air conditioning. Cool, literally, although not in this case so more figuratively than literally. It needs a charge. The engine is AMC’s fantastic 258 cubic-inch inline-six and it looks clean. With a two-barrel carb, it would have had 120 hp. The seller doesn’t really say how it runs but if it runs as good as it looks, I’m hoping for the best. Have any of you owned a last-year Gremlin?
Leave a Reply to Howard A Cancel reply