Joyce's First Car, 1970 AMC Gremlin

Описание: The
1970 AMC Gremlin was an American subcompact car introduced by the American Motors Corporation (AMC) on April 1, 1970 . Marketed as "the first American-built import," it was designed to compete with the Volkswagen Beetle and Toyota Corolla, beating rivals like the Chevrolet Vega and Ford Pinto to the market by several months.

Design and Origin
The "Air Sickness Bag" Sketch: Legend holds that AMC's design chief, Richard Teague, first sketched the Gremlin's unique shape on an airline air sickness bag in 1966.
Platform: To save costs, AMC used a shortened version of the AMC Hornet platform.
Distinctive Styling: It featured a long hood and a "chopped-off" Kammback tail, which made it instantly recognizable and somewhat polarizing.

1970 Model Specifications
The initial release offered two main configurations: a two-passenger base model and a four-passenger version with a fold-down rear seat.

Feature 1970 Base Model Details
Engine (Standard) 199 cu in (3.3 L) Inline-6 producing 128 hp
Engine (Optional) 232 cu in (3.8 L) Inline-6 producing 145 hp
Transmission 3-speed manual (standard); automatic available
Brakes 4-wheel drum brakes
Starting Price $1,879 (approx. $12,000–$16,000 in today's currency)
Evolution and Variants
While the 1970 model was strictly a 6-cylinder car, the Gremlin line evolved significantly through 1978:
Gremlin X: Introduced in 1971, this popular appearance package added stripes, bucket seats, and blackout trim.
V8 Power: A 304 cu in V8 engine became an option in 1972, turning the economy car into a "poor-man's Corvette".
Levi’s Interior: Starting in 1973, buyers could order a "Levi's" trim package featuring seats upholstered in blue spun-nylon made to look like denim, complete with copper rivets and red tabs.
Randall 401-XR: A rare dealer-built version by Randall AMC in Arizona that swapped in a massive 401 cu in V8.

Current Market Value
Once a punchline for its quirky looks, the Gremlin has become a cult classic with rising value.

Average Sale Price: Approximately $20,600 to $20,700 for a Gremlin in good condition.
Recent Auction Highs: A 1972 AMC Gremlin X sold for $49,500 in January 2023.
Collector Interest: Enthusiasts search for rare "Wild Plum" colors or original V8-equipped models on auction sites like Bring a Trailer.
Are you interested in buying a vintage Gremlin, or are you looking for more technical specifications on a specific model year?


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