Vehicle Description
It's arguably the most unique model ever created by a company that
made a name for itself by defying the existing design conventions
of its time and built cars that bore almost no resemblance to any
others on the road. This 1973 AMC Gremlin is as fitting a
representative for its manufacturer's bold approach as any you'll
come across and it's equipped with serious power that makes it a
blast to drive.
There wasn't another car anything like it when it was first
released and, because you see so few Gremlins on the road, when you
come across one face to face, its uniqueness is only amplified.
From the forward-inclined front fascia to the nearly vertical hatch
in back, it will stand out in any crowd. 45 years after it first
debuted, it greets the present clad in sharp yellow paint
punctuated by black stripes across its sides and taillight panel -
a signature AMC paint scheme - and it has a decidedly vital look.
The yellow backdrop has a nice, even color to it, with no major
issues, and those black accents still have their sharp edges. The
stresses of the years haven't knocked anything off kilter, either -
it's well aligned, with flush fitting body panels and doors that
still open and close smoothly. The roof mounted luggage rack sports
clean chrome and the seldom-encountered manual sunroof opens easily
and seals securely.
To climb inside and take your position in the driver's seat is to
take a trip back in time. AMC turned out some pretty distinctive
yet stylish interiors in their day and the one here is no
exception. The high- backed factory buckets show some wear, but
they've held their shape well and are plenty comfortable in their
present state. Clean black carpeting runs underneath the seating, a
nice, tight headliner looms above, and a uniquely tapered center
console sits between the buckets, putting the manual-styled
automatic shifter within easy reach and featuring a set of
aftermarket gauges to keep a read on motoring functions. An
AM/FM/Cassette stereo sits front and center in the dash to offer up
era-appropriate audio options. A look in back will reveal that the
bench seat sits securely in place - while its back support is
missing, it's not the most involved of tasks to install one, or you
could have the option of holding onto additional storage space that
joins what's below the hatch.
A smile is pretty much guaranteed when you raise the hood and see
what's inside. A 401 cubic inch engine sits between the shock
towers in the very tidy engine compartment and fits surprisingly
well. Gremlins were configured with a surprising amount of space
under the hood, and while some did roll off the line with V8s on
board, the big block on display here represented an upper crust,
special edition powerplant for the model. Armed with an Edelbrock
4-barrel carb and intake for even more added power, it packs the
punch to make this lightweight car a rocket on wheels and pairs
with a 3-speed automatic transmission. Chrome valve covers add to
the look inside while a pair of headers reduce exhaust backpressure
for added performance. Smooth power steering makes this unique AMC
nameplate a nimble handler, while disc brakes up front provide
fade-resistant stops as it cruises the asphalt on its American
Racing wheels - 14" in front and 15" in back - outfitted with
Cooper Classic Radial GT tires.
You don't see many of its kind on the road anymore and with its
powerful drivetrain, this 1973 AMC Gremlin isn't just a
conversation piece, but a fun-filled driver, as well. Call
today!
