Vehicle Description
1976 AMC Gremlin
The Gremlin was a response to the imported cars that were invading
America's shores-small cars that were light, efficient, easy to
park and of notably better quality than the domestics. Though
American Motors had always specialized in compact cars, the sudden
need for a subcompact could not have come at a worse time for AMC.
It was the smallest of what was then called the Big Four, and cash
was in short supply, as it was developing the all-new Hornet and
had just spent $70 million to buy Jeep from Kaiser-Fraiser.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and back in 1976 this writer
sought after one of these as I thought it was the coolest thing
since sliced bread! And this one brought back that dream that never
happened. Here we have a fine example that either you will love it
or hate it. The former should come on down to our halls filled with
classics and check this 1976 AMC Gremlin out. It has a totally
rebuilt engine and transmission, and the interior has been
restored. Nice paint and rechromed bumpers and it's off to the
races.
Exterior
With its unique shape only to be surpassed by the next thing to
come down the pike: the Pacer, which when talking about things only
a mother can love...but I digress. This unique sliced off hatchback
car has straight steel with well minded gaps. The grille is all
neoprene but it retains the chrome bumper. All panels are bathed in
Orange, and a nice white belt line stripe runs from stem too lopped
off stern. A stainless steel rocker covering is on and for the
large C pillar some highlighting "venting is noted on either side.
The slanted hatchback opens up to reveal a surprisingly large cargo
area, and if you flip the back seat down even more. It has a look
that is sporty yet utilitarian, wonderful yet a bit odd, but I am
still in love! Polished 15 inch Ansen Slots are wrapped by
195/60R15's in the front and larger 235/60R15's in back giving this
car a look like it will hustle. All exterior surfaces are just
covered beautifully with few faults overall in the new paint.
Interior
Tan vinyl covers the door panels, and this continues to the front
buckets and rear bench with just a bit darker tan for the bolsters
and some tuck and roll broadcloth inserts in light tan. The buckets
have a sleek design, and the headrests are part of the buckets
making a seamless transition to the top. The dash is like new and
has been restored. Here we see simplicity at its best with a tan
padded dash top, a bump up in the center and some round gauges with
machine metal faces behind slightly fogged plastic, all within a
black oval. In the center are the temp sliders and a modern AM/FM
radio which is digital but looks retro. The everpresent lighter and
ash receptacle are just below the new radio. Note the glove box
panel is slighty askew, but it does close and stay closed. LED
lights are now in and in the center of the hump is a simple tan
console with a black plastic knob topper on the shifter. Very clean
like new tan carpeting is on the floors, and above is a nice tight
headliner.
Drivetrain
Under the hood within a shiny orange engine bay is a beautifully
and fully restored and rebuilt inline 6-cylinder engine in 258ci
form. It is painted a beautiful metallic blue and has all new
wiring, and a 1-barrel carburetor on top. On the back is a 904
3-speed automatic transmission and a 2.73 rear axle.
Undercarriage
Underneath some patina and surface rust, but all structurally
sound. The engine seems to have an oil drip on the transmission
covering which is bent at the edge slightly. You can see the blow
back on the structural crossbar behind the engine. Independent coil
springs and drum brakes are on the front and leaf springs and drum
brakes are on back.
Drive-Ability
I had to drive this one as it was a lost dream. Fortunately, it was
not a nightmare to handle, and it ran beautifully. Smooth shifting
although the brakes on this car have a heavy bias to pull to the
right, and the driver needs to put a lot of pressure on the pedal.
The horn and temp gauge are also not working.
An interesting design right out of the mid 1970's and a nice job on
the restoration. Is there a Gremlin in your future? What was once
ubiquitous is now a classic where few have survived, and even fewer
in this condition.
VIN DECODE
A6E465A131690
A-AMC
6-1976
E-3 Speed Automatic, Floor Shift
4-Gremlin
6-2 Door Sedan
5-Gremlin
A-258ci I6
1-Kenosha, WI Assy Plant
31690-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.