Small on the surface, actually small on the within.
Time performs methods on our collective reminiscence, particularly with regards to vehicles. For no matter cause, the Edsel, which was a monumental gross sales flop, is known by too many of us to have been poorly constructed and unreliable. A “lemon,” it’s typically referred to as. Reality was (reality is) that the Edsel got here to market a bit of too costly throughout a big financial calm down. The marketplace for mid-priced vehicles actually disappeared simply because the Edsel appeared in showrooms.
1976 AMC Gremlin
Historical past
Extra just lately, the American Motors (AMC) Gremlin has someway earned a bum rap for being low-cost and unreliable. And whereas the Gremlin, which was actually an AMC Hornet compact sedan with its rear portion sawed off, it was really very dependable.
Value
The Gremlin, which was additionally offered in Mexico through a distribution firm referred to as VAM, was delivered to market in 1970, and initially priced at simply $1879—that’s about $15,000 right this moment. We’ll speak a bit of extra in regards to the worth in a second.
Whereas the automobile was certainly low-cost—it was shod with hard-plastic cabin components, and virtually no customary tools—it was really, reportedly, very dependable. In 1970, the editors of Well-liked Science journal drove a Gremlin 10,000 miles “…with out a single downside.” In 1973, Shopper Reviews named the Gremlin it’s top-rated financial system automobile for long-term reliability.
1976 AMC Gremlin Advert
All that mentioned, there was one severe designed in defect the Gremlin was cursed with, and this editor can attest to this personally: The Gremlin’s rear seat was utterly ineffective.
But, the advert appear right here appears to indicate, nicely really does indicate, that AMC’s least expensive providing really boasted significant rear-seat and cargo-area house. That’s a lie.
The Gremlin, as we famous early, was based mostly on AMC’s Hornet compact automobile. As such, there was an affordable quantity of front-row house. However in again, because of the Gremlin’s “Kammback” design, head and legroom have been severely restricted as was cargo house.
Crammed in Again
Enjoyable truth: Someday in, oh, 1982, my good friend Gordon stuffed me into the again seat of his Gremlin—this so a (scorching) woman might journey shotgun up entrance. The journey was quick—From Meadows Bowl to Pin Pan Alley (arcade) nevertheless it was additionally terrible. I used to be pressured to take a seat sideways, and, because of the automobile’s lack of facet glass, I couldn’t see out. By the point we arrived at our vacation spot, I used to be affected by each therapist-grade claustrophobia, and extreme spinal curvature. Gordon sucked.
Now, now have a look at this advert. That child seems to be joyful, and the canine seems to be snug. I guarantee neither was the case. I’m calling this advert out proper now: stuffing a 3rd individual at the back of a Gremlin, even a really small individual, ought to be unlawful.
Naked Bones
Enjoyable bonus truth: What little cargo house there was within the Gremlin, might solely be entry by a small, pop-up glass opening. The Gremlin didn’t have a hatch within the regular sense. Plus, had you ordered the $1879 version of the little AMC mentioned earlier, you’ll have gotten neither the opening glass hatch, nor a again seat. Actually, no again seat.
Which means that loading and unloading cargo meant passing it again between the seats, one other enjoyable solution to pull a muscle whereas spending time with a Gremlin.
All advised, AMC moved a formidable 671,000 Gremlins between 1970 and 1978, spectacular for the nation’s then number-four automaker. A refresh of the Gremlin dubbed Spirit was launched for 1979, however by no means offered in addition to the Gremlin.
Not a Unhealthy Automobile, Actually
As famous earlier, the Gremlin was not a nasty automobile, nevertheless it was form of dangerous at being a automobile. However it regarded fairly cool, could possibly be had with a V8 (actually) and had an actual status for reliability. Whereas no automobile shopper right this moment would ever settle for the Gremlin’s flaws in a brand new automobile, issues have been totally different within the Seventies. I imply, individuals accepted 8-Monitor tapes as transportable, and The Love Boat as high quality household leisure.
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1976 AMC Gremlin Photos
Click on beneath for enlarged pictures
