Amc gremlin

7.

Экономия на разработке положительно отразилась на итоговой цене AMC Gremlin. Автомобиль с 3,3-литровой «шестеркой» (а были еще 3,8 л., 4,2 л. и даже 5,0-литровый V8), механической коробкой передач, без заднего сиденья и подъемного стекла багажника стоил 1 879 $, что было сопоставимо со стоимостью Volkswagen, а дебютирующая через полгода Chevrolet Vega стоила от 2 090 $. Gremlin с Жуком и сравнивали, отмечая его преимущества в ширине, радиусе поворота и большом бензобаке. Потребители приняли Gremlin хорошо: он был мощнее Жука и ощущался как более солидный автомобиль, да и сами американцы менялись, все чаще предпочитая более скромные и экономичные автомобили. Простые агрегаты и минимум оборудования делали его достаточно надежным, что заставляло закрыть глаза на посредственную управляемость, тесноту на заднем сиденье (при его наличии) и практически полное отсутствие багажника.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What does AMC stand for?

AMC stands for American Motors Corporation. It was an American automobile company that was active from 1954 to 1987.

Q2. How many AMC Gremlins were produced?

During its eight-year production run, AMC produced a total of 671,475 Gremlins.

Q3. What was the most powerful engine option for the AMC Gremlin?

In 1977, American Motors Corporation (AMC) introduced the 3.8-liter V6 engine as the most powerful engine option for the AMC Gremlin. This engine produced 120 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque.

Q4. Was the AMC Gremlin a reliable car?

The AMC Gremlin had a reputation for being a reliable car. It’s simple design and sturdy construction made it easy to maintain and repair, and many Gremlins lasted for decades with proper care.

Q5. Did the AMC Gremlin have any safety issues?

The AMC Gremlin did have some safety issues, particularly in its early years of production. The car’s rear fuel tank was located near the rear bumper, which made it vulnerable to rear-end collisions. Fortunately, later models addressed this issue, and as a result, the Gremlin became a safer car overall.

Q6. Can you still find AMC Gremlins on the road today?

Yes, you can still find AMC Gremlins on the road today. While becoming increasingly rare, dedicated enthusiasts keep these classic cars running and on the road.

Experimental[]

The Gremlin proved a popular test-bed for experiments with alternative fuels. Many universities converted them to run on natural gas, hydrogen, and electric power.

Hydrogen

In 1972 University of California, Los Angeles researchers won a nationwide Urban Vehicle Design Competition when they modified a 1972 AMC Gremlin to run on hydrogen and the lessons learned are still useful today. The engine was a converted Ford 351 cu in (5.8 L) V8 noted for its volumetric efficiency. Lacking sophisticated electronics and injection systems, the carburetor was a modified propane unit and the 100-litre (26.4 US gal) «thermos»-type hydrogen tank gave the Gremlin a 160 miles (257 km) range. Tests indicated that the car would not only meet the scheduled 1976 vehicle United States emission standards, but also actually emit slightly cleaner air than it took in. In 1984, UCLA’s first hydrogen-powered car was sold for one dollar to the William F. Harrah Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada.

Alternative fuels

Other experiments used AMC Gremlins. To evaluate non-petroleum fuel and measure mechanical wear under mostly short city driving, a 1970 Gremlin with AMC’s 232 cu in (3.8 L) engine operated successfully on methanol for ten years and 46,250 miles (74,432 km).

The broadest range of fuel tests were conducted by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) labs in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Engineers estimated the performance and fuel economy of 1977 Gremlin Xs operating on ordinary gasoline, a variety of wide boiling range fuels (naphtha, kerosene, etc.), as well as two alcohols, ethanol and methanol.

Electric

The Electric Fuel Propulsion Company (EFP) of Ferndale, Michigan produced a number of electric cars including the AMC Gremlin based, two-passenger X-144. Introduced in 1973 it featured a 20 horsepower (15 kW) direct current motor fueled by a 144-volt cobalt-lead storage batteries designed to reduce the formation of harmful gasses during recharging, as well as a regular 12-volt battery to operate the cars lights, horn, and heater blower. Performance was claimed to be similar to a base gasoline Gremlin, including a top speed of 60 miles per hour (97 km/h), but with a calculated lower cost per mile for the X-144 over five years and 20,000 miles (32,187 km) of use.

The AMC Gremlin’s stylish design features

via: Mecum

The AMC Gremlin has a nostalgic feel about it. Just like the Volkswagen Beetle and Ford Pinto models, the styling adopted by the AMC Gremlin puts it ahead of the pack. The two-door, front-engine compact vehicle can accommodate four passengers.

Richard Teague, the creative mind behind the design of legendary models like the Rambler Classic, Packard Predictor, and Ambassador, among others, introduced a myriad of changes that transformed the design of the AMC Gremlin models. A key design feature includes the production of a longer AMC Gremlin model than the Volkswagen.

The innovation put the car ahead of other small cars during its time. Changes in design resulted in the famous AMC GT model. Though the version was not produced, the AMX model name was adopted to design a shortened two-seat car.

Other changes in design include the design of the Hornet model, a compact car. The design reduced the original AMCs Gremlins wheelbase to 96 inches from 108 inches. However, the length of the car was then reduced to 161 from 179. This resulted in a longer AMC Gremlin than the Volkswagen beetle and shorter than Chevrolet Vega and the famous Ford Pinto.

Via: Mecum

The main similarities between the AMC Gremlin and the AMC Hornet were the Bi pillars and car front. The main difference between the two competing models Volkswagen and AMC Gremlin, was the hood length over the front-mounted engine, which appeared longer.

Just like any other standard cars, the AMCs back seat was meant for smaller children. The wider design provided more stability and comfort to the front passengers. The interior width was more than average, which created enough room for the seats and the legs.

Though the luggage space appeared inadequate, folding the back seats helps create enough room for cargo. The upright design of the tail helps create space in the interior of the car. Later, various manufacturers made adjustments to the chassis of the compact car which curtailed the trunk.

Collectibility[]

Scarcity, and the fact that it is a 1970s car, makes the Gremlin collectible, and it has a following among old car hobbyists and collectors of historic vehicles. In some cases, the Gremlin enjoys «a cult-like following in today’s collectible car market. In 2007 Business Week reported that 1970s cars such as the Gremlin were increasingly attractive to buyers, and an insurance provider for collector-car owners reported that values were rising.

In light of rising gasoline prices, the Gremlin offers a relatively economical alternative to muscle cars and the more massive American cars of its era-especially for buyers leaning toward the eccentric. AMC said the Gremlin got «the best gas mileage of any production car made in America», and its 21-US-gallon (79 L; 17 imp gal) gas tank allowed 500 miles (805 km) or more between fill-ups.

It has been said that scarcity makes any Gremlin in good condition worth preserving as a unique piece of automotive history. Original Gremlins with the V8 engine, X package models, Levi’s trim, and also the 1978 GT versions, are the most sought-after and command higher prices.

Although Gremlins share numerous parts and components with other AMC models, finding parts for a restoration project can be difficult. This is exacerbated by the fact that many Gremlins were chopped up during the late 1970s and the 1980s to make dirt-track racers. The body of choice on the dirt circuit was the Gremlin and AMC Eagle. The subcompact bodies fit Modified chassis and of special interest was the Gremlin’s slab top and sides with a contour that was easy to duplicate in sheet metal.

Over the years, many owners have converted Gremlins into home-built «muscle cars» because AMC engines up to the 401 cu in (6.6 L) «just drop right in».

There are active AMC car clubs with numerous local chapters to assist Gremlin owners.

The Cost Of The 1977 AMC Gremlin Today

One of the main strengths of the AMC Gremlin was its dirt-cheap price. In 1977 the base MSRP was $2,995. In terms of 2022 dollars, that works out to about $14,022. For comparison, a new car that targets a similar area of the market in 2022, the Kia Soul, has a starting MSRP of $19,290. So, small cheap cars were a lot smaller and cheaper back in the ’70s. And for anyone on the market for a 1977 AMC Gremlin today, you are in luck: the price has gone up, but not by much. On average, a 1977 AMC Gremlin today is being sold for about $15,000. But of course, that is an average price, not the price of every Gremlin. Gremlins have sold in recent years for as high as $32,450 and for as low as $2,750. Therefore, on the whole, if you want to become the owner of one of the most famously dweeby cars of the ’70s, you will not have to shell out much for it.

Racing[]

The AMC Gremlin saw action on numerous auto racing venues, including endurance, as well as oval and road racing. Due to their inherent inexpensiveness, strength, and the ease with which they could be modified for higher performance, many AMC Gremlins were used in drag racing.

During the 1970s road courses such as the Virginia International Raceway, a challenging course with many turns, straightaways, as well as over 100 feet of elevation change, hosted numerous racing events with smaller American cars, such as the Ford Pinto and AMC Gremlin, became the norm on the track.

Lenny Podbielski was «a major player in late 1970s Speedbowl action» and the Gremlin-bodied machines he raced were «some of the prettiest cars of the era.»

Heading AMC’s Pro Stock drag racing efforts starting in 1970 was Wally Booth. He and other drivers campaigned Gremlins painted in the hash red, white, and blue pattern that AMC had adopted as its corporate race livery. Dick Arons built the engines. The team «transformed the brand’s staid grocery-getter reputation from the ground up into that of a genuine performance powerhouse.» Wally Booth «was one of the Edelbrock crew’s favorite racers.»

Three factory Pro-Stock 1972 Gremlin drag racers were campaigned around the nation. One was driven by Rich LaMont and sponsored by radio station 99 WIBG in Philadelphia, PA. This car has been restored with a 401 cu in (6.6 L) AMC V8 with 4-speed manual transmission and it still runs the quarter-mile at around 8.75 seconds achieving over 150 mph (240 km/h).

AMC Gremlins appear in competitions: for example, at the 2006 World Power Wheelstanding Championships (not a race event, but a «wheelie» contest), Brian Ambrosini’s specially modified 1974 Gremlin took second place.

Concept Gremlins[]

Gremlin Voyager

In 1972 AMC developed a prototype «Gremlin Voyager» with a slide out rear panel called «Grem-Bin». The car was a production Gremlin with a proposed «shelf» design to make cargo loading easier.

XP prototype

In 1974 a production car was modified and dubbed the Gremlin XP prototype. It has a larger glass hatchback and additional side quarter windows. A pronounced crease started from the mid-body section and wraps over the roof while the rear quarter panels feature bulges around the wheel well openings. The rear panel has a recessed and blacked out area with four lights. The design of the concept car improved visibility around the Gremlin’s original wide C-pillar.

Concept 80

In 1977 American Motors presented six show cars to illustrate the automaker’s commitment to smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles for the 1980s. Three of them, the «Concept I», «Concept II», and «Concept Grand Touring» represented new subcompact designs.

The Concept I car combined a «wedge-design» with a short hood, low body beltline, steeply raked windshield, and expanded glass area. The front featured a mesh grille with “rally-type” parking lights and rectangular headlamps. The rear end was squared off featuring large rear quarter windows to eliminate blind spots. The rear panel incorporated a characteristic continental tire bulge.
The Concept II design was another Gremlin replacement proposal featuring integral soft bumpers, headlamps concealed by flush sliding doors. A pronounced center structural «Targa-band» was designed to add strength to the roof. The squared off rear end featured a glass hatchback.
The Concept Grand Touring was a larger luxury hatchback designed for four-passengers. The interior was appointed in leather and corduroy upholstery and luxury appointments with deep-pile carpeting. The front end featured a “venturi” grille with rally-type lights. The rear side windows were «opera» recessed and surrounded by a vinyl cover that ran over the roof’s rear quarter. The Concept GT car had genuine wire wheels.

Design elements from the Concept II and Concept GT were incorporated into the Gremlin’s replacement, the AMC Spirit that was introduced in 1979.

9.

В 1971 году AMC предложили пакета Gremlin X с красивыми колесами, контрастными полосами на кузове и доработанным интерьером, но главным катализатором продаж стал топливный кризис: больше всего Gremlin было продано в 1974 году. Производство продолжалось до 1978 года. Реализовать удалось более 670 000 автомобилей, что, конечно, капля в море (General Motors продал больше полноразмерных седанов только в 1970 году), но достаточно, чтобы стать вторым бестселлером в истории AMC. Да и запомнился Gremlin, главным образом, своим забавным внешним видом, тогда как Vega – на глазах ржавеющим кузовом, а Pinto – пожарами, возникающими при наезде сзади… В общем, инженеры и менеджмент AMC все сделали правильно!

Other Features On The 1977 AMC Gremlin

via: Mecum

The styling of the Gremlin is distinct, for a diplomatic word choice. At the time, it was sometimes referred to as looking like a «sawed-off station wagon,» a result of its derivation from the AMC Hornet. The 1977 model featured a redesigned front end for the first time since the original model, which was four inches shorter than the original.

As mentioned earlier, despite having the appearance of a hatchback and being sold as one, the Gremlin does not have a true back hatch. Instead, just the rear window opens and closes to provide access to the cargo area. And that was only on the four-seater versions, because the rear seat was an option on the Gremlin. For the two-seater, the cargo area could only be accessed from the inside via the passenger doors.

AMC Gremlin 1977 8 110 л.с.

Технические характеристики
Цена	€
Производство	1976-1977
Тип кузова
Количество мест
Коробка передач	3 с. —
Топливо
Максимальная скорость	— км/ч
Время разгона 0 — 100 км/ч	— сек.
Расход топлива в городе	Л/100 км
Расход топлива на шоссе	Л/100 км
Расход смешанный цикл	Л/100 км
Энергетический класс
Привод

Двигатель внутреннего сгорания
Приводной двигатель
Объем двигателя	4235 см3
Выбросы CO2	гр.
Мощность	110 л.с. / кВт
-об./мин.	3600
Крутящий момент	263 Нм
-об./мин.	2000
Турбо
Система питания
Газораспределительный механизм
Количество цилиндров	6,
Количество клапанов на цилиндр	2
Диаметр цилиндра	95.3 мм
Ход поршня	99.1 мм
Степень сжатия	8.0
Катализатор

Электродвигатель
Тип электродвигатель
Мощность	kW / л.с.
Крутящий момент	Nm
Количество двигателей
Тип аккумулятора
Емкость аккумулятора	kWh
Напряжение аккумуляторной	V
Зарядка аккумулятора

Тормозная система
Передние тормоза
Задние тормоза
АБС
EBD
Ассистент торможения

Кузовного
Длина	4226 мм
Ширина	1793 мм
Высота	1328 мм
Снаряженная масса автомобиля	1281 кг.
Максимальная нагрузка	-1281 кг.
Снаряженная масса + груз	кг.
Максимальный вес на крыше	кг.
Объем багажника минимальный	181 Л
Объем багажника максимальный	181 Л
Колесная база	2438 мм
Колея передняя	1461 мм
Колея задняя	1450 мм
Диаметр разворота	м.

Основные данные
Размер шин	6.45/- R14
Объем топливного бака	79 Л
Блокировка дифференциала
ESP
TC
об./мин. 120 км/ч

Подвеска
Тип передней подвески	,
Тип задней подвески	,
Передний стабилизатор
Задний стабилизатор

Соотношение скоростей
1-й скорости
2-я скорость
3-я скорость
4-я скорость
5-я скорость
6-я скорость
7-я скорость
8-я скорость
9-я скорость
Коэффициент передачи заднего хода
Бортовая передача

Top Brands:

Other Modifications:

AMC Gremlin 1977 2 87 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 2 87 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 2 89 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 2 89 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 2 89 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 2-Liter 81 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 2-Liter 81 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 2-Liter Custom 81 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 2-Liter Custom 81 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 2-Liter Custom X MY77 81 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 2-Liter Custom X MY77 81 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 2-Liter Custom X MY78 81 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 2-Liter Custom X MY78 81 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 2-Liter Levis Custom 81 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 2-Liter Levis Custom 81 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 232 91 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 232 91 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 232 Custom 91 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 232 Custom 91 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 232 Custom X 91 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 232 Custom X 91 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 258 101 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 258 116 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 258 116 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 258 Custom 101 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 258 Custom X 101 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 258 Custom X 101 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 258 Custom X 116 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 258 Custom X 116 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 258 Custom X 116 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 258 Levis Custom 116 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 258 Levis Custom 116 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 258 Levis Custom 116 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 258-2 122 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 258-2 Custom 122 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 258-2 Custom 122 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 258-2 Custom X 122 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 258-2 Custom X 122 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 3.8 89 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 8 110 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 8 116 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 GT 258 101 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 GT 258 101 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 GT 258-2 122 ксAMC Gremlin 1977 GT 258-2 122 кс

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Production history and reception[]

The 1970s was one of the most volatile periods in the history of the automobile industry that is renowned for ups and downs. A total of 671,475 Gremlins were sold in the United States and Canada, making it the most popular single generation body style/chassis produced by AMC (other models, such as the Rambler and even Hornet, have higher production numbers, but consisted of more than one chassis design and body style in the case of the Rambler, multiple body styles for the Hornet).

A book about the popular history of the 1970s introduces it the decade of «pet rocks, shag carpets, platform shoes and the AMC Gremlin.» It is among the cars that people who were in high school in the late 1970s and early 1980s would be familiar with because it was one of the first cars they drove and among most often seen in student parking lots. Kiplinger’s personal finance magazine, Changing Times, listed the AMC Gremlin as first among the best subcompact used cars as «selected by top mechanics for good value, good service.» Five years after the Gremlin’s introduction, the mechanics liked the six-cylinder engine and most preferred automatic transmission. Comments included, «I have one. It’s the greatest. I own one with a 304 V-8 engine. Have no trouble outside of normal maintenance.»

During the early 1970s American cars “are remembered far more often for their power than their style, and … throughout the decade, the character of cars became blurred. Only a handful of cars had real personalities…” the AMC Gremlin was one of them, “a pioneering hatchback”.

Officially discontinued after the 1978 model year, the Gremlin was restyled that including a new model that featured a sloping liftback for 1979 and the model line renamed the AMC Spirit. This restyled continuation of the familiar chopped-tail two-door and the new hatch coupe caused sales to increase to 52,478 units for 1979. The original «Kammback» body style continued in production until 1982 as the Spirit Sedan with larger rear side windows. The basic design was also used for the small AMC Eagle Kammback from 1981 to 1982.

American Motors lacked the funds to come up with a separate platform for a sub-compact car, so it did something different with an existing model and «although car snobs make fun of the chop-tailed Gremlin, it was a huge sales hit.» The authors of the book 365 Cars You Must Drive «that any self-respecting auto enthusiast just has to know and experience from the driver’s seat» describe that «driving a Gremlin isn’t about the drive; it’s about being seen in one, making a statement that you dig the mid-1970s, and also woudn’t be caught dead in something normal.» An article published by Time in 2007 included the Gremlin as one of «The 50 Worst Cars of All Time», describing it as an AMC Hornet with the rear end whacked off, and criticizing its exterior proportions, with a long low snout, long front overhang and a truncated tail, «like the tail snapped off a salamander».

In 2007, Popular Science magazine included the 13.4-foot (4.1 m) AMC Gremlin as one of six historic cars that took «Small Steps to a Smart Future» in a special issue about the «Future of the Car: Efficiency».

Future U.S. Presidents

Two future U.S. presidents drove AMC Gremlins during their younger days.

«Bill Clinton drove the back roads of Northwest Arkansas in his green AMC Gremlin» during his campaign for the first and only race for Congress in 1974.

An AMC Gremlin with a Levi interior was owned by the George H. W. Bush family and driven by George W. Bush in 1973 while getting his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.

Other markets[]

Mexico

Vehiculos Automotores Mexicanos (VAM) manufactured Gremlins in Mexico under license and partial ownership (38% equity share) by AMC, and continued to use the Gremlin name for several years after it faded in the U.S. The VAM cars had trim, interiors, and model names that differed from the equivalent AMC-made models. The 1976 VAM Gremlin X came with the longer front end from the Hornet, and its interior was trimmed in the «Navajo» pattern cloth upholstery that was optional on AMC’s Pacer DL models built for the Canadian and U.S. markets. The base VAM Gremlin also included luxurious seating with a center armrest that was never available in the U.S. models.

All engines built by VAM were of AMC design, modified to deal with Mexico’s lower octane gasoline and higher altitudes. Options included a unique 282 cu in (4.6 L) version of AMC’s straight 6.

One vehicle was assembled from a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) kit by Australian Motor Industries in Port Melbourne for evaluation purposes. AMI assembles and marketed other AMC models (AMX, Hornet, Javelin, and Matador) in Australia. It was branded as a «Rambler Gremlin» (as were all of the other AMI-made AMC’s) and powered by the standard 232 cu in (3.8 L) I6 with three-speed manual transmission. The car features right-hand drive and the mandated percentage of locally produced content.

4.

С технической точки зрения, это был самый обычный автомобиль начала 1970-х, с полным отсутствием инноваций. Если General Motors для модели Vega разрабатывал новые материалы, производственные процессы и способы доставки (вертикально в железнодорожных вагонах), то AMC просто собрал пазл из готовых решений. Как и на Hornet на Gremlin использовались агрегаты и компоненты шасси от модели Rambler American, которую Hornet должен был заменить. Поэтому не стоит удивляться не очень современным двигателям, барабанным тормозам и трехступенчатой механике, которой не хватало синхронизаторов на первой передаче… Задняя подвеска Gremlin могла потребовать инновационных решений, но инженеры AMC просто укоротили рессоры Hornet.

7.