AMC Gremlin facts for kids

AMC Gremlin

The AMC Gremlin was a unique and compact car made by a company called American Motors (AMC). It was produced from 1970 to 1978. The Gremlin was known for its unusual design, which looked like a regular car that had its back chopped off! It was one of the first "subcompact" cars made in America, meaning it was smaller than most other cars at the time.

The AMC Gremlin: A Unique Car

The AMC Gremlin was designed to be a small, affordable car for everyday people. It came out during a time when many car buyers wanted smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The Gremlin was built using parts from other AMC cars, especially the AMC Hornet, which helped keep its cost down. Its unique "hatchback" style meant the back window and trunk lid lifted up together, making it easy to load things.

Why the Gremlin Looked Different

The Gremlin's most noticeable feature was its short, chopped-off rear end. This design was quite unusual for cars in the 1970s. It was meant to make the car stand out and give it a sporty, youthful feel. The designers at AMC wanted to create a car that was fun, practical, and easy to park in cities.

Different Gremlin Models

Over its production years, the Gremlin came in a few different versions:

• Standard Gremlin: This was the basic model, simple and affordable.
• Gremlin X: This version was more sporty. It often came with special graphics, bucket seats, and sometimes a more powerful engine.
• Levi's Gremlin: One of the most famous versions had an interior designed to look like Levi's blue jeans! The seats were covered in denim-like fabric with copper rivets, just like real jeans. This was a fun and unique way to appeal to younger buyers.

Engines and Performance

The Gremlin offered different engine choices. Most models came with a six-cylinder engine, which was good for everyday driving. Some special versions even had a V8 engine, making them much faster. The car was designed to be easy to drive and maintain.

Gremlins Beyond the Road

The Gremlin's unique design also led to some interesting projects:

• Concept Cars: AMC created concept versions of the Gremlin, like the Gremlin XP, to show off new ideas and future designs.
• Electric Gremlin: In the 1970s, there was even a prototype electric Gremlin. This showed early interest in cars that didn't use gasoline, long before electric cars became common.
• Racing Gremlins: Some Gremlins were modified for racing, especially drag racing. Their light weight and powerful engines made them surprisingly fast on the track.

Gremlins Around the World

While mainly sold in the United States, the Gremlin was also produced and sold in other countries:

• Mexico: In Mexico, the Gremlin was made by a company called VAM (Vehículos Automotores Mexicanos). These cars sometimes had slightly different features or engines to suit the local market.
• Australia: A few Gremlins were even tested and sold in Australia, though they were quite rare there. They were often badged as "Rambler" cars.

The AMC Gremlin remains a memorable car from the 1970s, known for its bold style and compact size.

Images for kids

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  1971 AMC Gremlin X, 1972 Ford Pinto Runabout and 1973 Chevrolet Vega GT

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  1978 Gremlin X

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  AMC Gremlin logo on gas cap

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  1970 AMC Gremlin

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  1971 AMC Gremlin

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  1972 AMC Gremlin

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  1973 AMC Gremlin X with Levi interior

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  1975 AMC Gremlin

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  1976 AMC Gremlin

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  1977 AMC Gremlin featured new front end styling

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  1977 AMC Gremlin Custom 2 Liter

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  1978 AMC Gremlin X

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  258 cu in (4.2 L) six-cylinder engine

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  Randall 401-XR advertisement on a replica car

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  Modified 1977 AMC Gremlin at a dragstrip

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  The "99 WIBG" Pro-Stock 1972 AMC Gremlin

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  VAM Gremlin in Mazatlán, Mexico

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  1979 VAM Gremlin X in Mexico City (missing side decals)

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  One-off Australian Gremlin, first featured at the 1970 Sydney Motor Show.

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  Badged as a "Rambler" this test car was converted from LHD to RHD for evaluation purposes.

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  1973 Hurst Rescue System 1

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  Seattle City Light Superintendent Gordon Vickery at charging station for the electric Gremlin

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  AMC Gremlin XP concept car

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  1976 AMC Gremlin X at the Tupelo Automobile Museum

See also

In Spanish: AMC Gremlin para niños