When we find survivor-grade cars that have been repainted, it’s sometimes easy to make the assumption that the car will disappoint in other areas, i.e. the interior or the chassis. The seller of this 1976 AMC Gremlin claims he started with an exceptionally clean foundation when making some improvements to the car, and the extremely straight nature of the body and interior helps support his case. Find this gently refreshed Gremlin here on eBay with bids over $2K and the reserve unmet.
While the body has been repainted, what a great color scheme to begin with. The black inlays in the front and rear fascia panels contract nicely with the bright paintwork, and the chrome bumpers and trim around the taillights show well. The tinted glass isn’t my favorite, but it likely helps to keep the minty green interior staying undamaged and fade-free. The seller notes some recent maintenance improvements, including a rebuilt carb, new hoses, and fuel tank float.
My favorite part of the cabin is that awesome pair of Gremlin floormats, coincidentally colored green to match – well, everything else. The interior has been refreshed in places as well, but it’s not obvious. The work performed struck a nice balance of preserving what was there and not making the newly refinished surfaces appear too “new.” While a manual transmission would be nice, the autobox paired to a torquey six-cylinder works just fine in a cruiser like this.
Not much is said about the motor, other than it does have the occasional oil drip on the floor. There’s nothing here that appears out of place, and the seller has proactively replaced the heater hoses. The radiator is also new and the carb has been rebuilt. A replacement dash pad is also included to replace the cracked one. This is a straight Gremlin in great colors selling at a good price (so far), with much of the heavy lifting already done. Anyone agree?
Such an improbable shape!
Looks like it was designed to have a big blower sticking out the hood, sidepipes, wide meats on the back & found inside a Hot Wheels package.
I thought that as well, in profile it has a funny-car vibe to it.
Haven’t seen one this nice in a while! See that white plastic vacuum advance on the side of the distributor? Those are notorious for blowing out! It’s part of the funky Prestolite electronic ignition that AMC used at the time. What is that box-like thing sitting on the valve cover? I also see a manual disc brake master cylinder.
Normally the steering wheel and column would match the interior color so it looks like that’s been swapped out. (At least I don’t recall seeing them like this from the factory.) Grille color is also off – apparently a black parts car was used to fix this one up. No AC, no dash vents, no parcel shelf. If you want fresh air there’s a wimpy joke of a vent under the dash, or open the windows.
Standard bench seat with no recliners – oh, my aching back! (Forget the back seat which is a cruel joke on these cars!) On the plus side I see what looks like power steering hoses on one of the underside shots, and the car looks amazingly solid overall down there. Steering box and pitman arm look recent. Dash has been hacked up to accept a modern stereo though I don’t see where the speakers were installed.
In the 1980s this would have been a $500 car, will be interesting to see what it goes for.
Up here in eastern Wa. in the 80’s we bought those (not in this good of shape) for $300-$500, cut the roof off, and made fun little “fishin or huntin”or dune running rigs out of them. Keep the doors closed and beat em to death, in the mean time have a lot of fun.
I like these cars and this is a pretty nice one. If I already hadn’t bought a 2005 Mustang for a daily driver I would go check this car out before placing a bid.
Seller says it was undercoated. It appears the oil leak is what is undercoating the car presently. I see no evidence of recent undercoating unless it was done after these photos were taken. Can’t make out if it is a hood release or vent knob dangling to the left of the glove box. I had a 73, didn’t know they still made the Gremlin in 76. Thought they were called Eagles at that point. Nice find!
The Gremlin was made from 1970-78, was replaced by the Spirit from ‘79-83, and the Eagle SX/4 came along from ‘81-83.
I believe that’s a vent knob. The hood release, when present, on Gremlins and Hornets (and Concords and Eagles) would be just to the right of the steering column. I don’t see anything in that position so this car most likely lacks that optional feature. I also don’t see a hood latch cable in the underhood photo.
Nothing wrong with the looks of the Gremlin.With some of the newer cars now they are ugly…..Nissan Juke or joke…or any Toy Prius.
Veloster, Altima, new Civic, Odyssey, Spark…
The list is long.
That’s not an oil leak…it’s just sweating from the torque
Although the Pacer outdid these on window glass, these also get pretty toasty inside. The tinted windows were probably done to make it cool, but also help cool you down. Especially with no AC.
One beautiful car.
Excellent condition. Wonder what the reserve is.
Pugsy, easiest way to find out price is to place a large bid and just wait. That is how my ex would solve that problem.
Ha. And it would be the last bid placed for the win just over reserve with my luck…..