Now here’s a sleeper. It’s a subcompact 1973 American Motors Gremlin X, complete with the optional Levi’s denim upholstery. Automobile called the Gremlin “one of history’s dorkiest cars.” But this AMC Gremlin X, recently sold on eBay in Normal, Ill., for $22,500, is packing a Chevy 350 V-8 with more than 400 horsepower. Because it’s such a lightweight car, it will have an edge in any stoplight derbies.
The owner nails it:
This car will steal the attention of many at any local cruise night with its remarkable exterior, impressive drivetrain, and unavoidable nostalgia that delivers eye-catching, albeit polarizing, style. I know this because, over the last 10-plus years, it has done just that for me. The enjoyment it delivers is real! This is an example of when quirkiness becomes endearing.
The car received carefully recreated Levi’s trim front seats.
Gremlins were bare-bones, but the X model was an appearance upgrade first offered in 1971.
Orange Stitching, Buttons, Levi’s Tab
AMC’s original 1972 ad for this Gremlin said it came with “seats of the pants.” The buyer got “a Gremlin with upholstery like blue denim Levi’s. It has the orange stitching, the buttons, even the famous Levi’s tab on both front seats.”
The car received carefully recreated Levi’s trim front seats.
This AMC Gremlin X had its front seats redone with attention to detail—the buttons, the copper stitching, even the tags. The original door panels match. The back seat is from the factory and has a couple of splits.
Show And Go
A stock Gremlin took more than 12 seconds to 60—but this one is much faster.
Advertising the Gremlin, Levi’s Edition.
Sometimes restorers concentrate on appearance, and sometimes on go-faster bits. This AMC Gremlin X got a more thorough going-over and was nicely repainted in a clear-coated metallic blue with pearlescent white striping. It has the correct Levi’s logos on the fenders and cool “5.6-Litre V-8” badging on the tail. There’s even a slick Gremlin gas cap.
And all that’s before we get to the trick motor. 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, and the car is equipped with MSD electronic ignition. The engine drives through a GM 700R4 performance automatic transmission with a B&M sport shifter.
Yes, that’s a 350-cubic-inch Chevy engine.
Since that power plant is stuffed into a small space, the four-core aluminum radiator with a thermostat-driven electric fan and transmission cooler is a great addition. The positraction rear end is from a 1969 AMX—the brand’s performance car. The burned gases exit via a 2.5-inch custom-built exhaust with dual-chamber Flowmaster mufflers.
A set of AMC Rally wheels and volcano hubcaps with trim rings finish the car. Maybe it’s too pretty to race, but it wouldn’t embarrass the new owner at the drag strip.
Compact But Not Small
The hot Gremlin looks stock but packs more than 400 horsepower.
AMC unveiled the Gremlin on April Fool’s Day 1970, and even AMC’s designer, Dick Teague, admitted that the new creation wasn’t “going to win any styling awards.” But he praised its personality and character.
Teague said:
It isn’t just another little funny-looking sedan. It’s a cute little wagon that looks like it’ll do the job that we intend for it to do.
And it does. The VW-sized car with a hinged back window on the four-seat models was practical and cheap. For $1,879, you got a basic vehicle with a small six, three-speed on the column, and leisurely progress. A performance V-8 was not on the options list at first, though it came along in 1971.
Believe it or not, hot Gremlins like this one are nothing new. The stock five-liter V-8 produced 150 horsepower, good for the time, and could reach 60 mph in 8.9 seconds, with 16.7-second quarter miles. An AMC dealer in Arizona built around 20 Gremlins with 6.6-liter V-8s that could do 13.9-second quarter miles. The price was $2,995 ($18,282 in 2021 dollars). That’s a bargain.
Gremlins were bare-bones, but the X model was an appearance upgrade first offered in 1971.
AMC sold 671,475 Gremlins, so it was certainly no failure. With so many Gremlins built, it’s not surprising that parts availability on eBay is excellent. You can buy a complete stripe kit, AMC emblem volcano trim rings, and OEM distributors. While you’re at it, pick up a pair of vintage Levis on eBay.
Shop now for AMC Gremlins
