Small on the skin, actually small on the within.
Time performs tips on our collective reminiscence, particularly in relation to automobiles. For no matter motive, the Edsel, which was a monumental gross sales flop, is known by too many people to have been poorly constructed and unreliable. A “lemon,” it’s typically known as. Fact was (reality is) that the Edsel got here to market somewhat too costly throughout a big financial quiet down. The marketplace for mid-priced automobiles actually disappeared simply because the Edsel appeared in showrooms.
1976 AMC Gremlin
Historical past
Extra lately, the American Motors (AMC) Gremlin has one way or the other earned a bum rap for being low cost and unreliable. And whereas the Gremlin, which was actually an AMC Hornet compact sedan with its rear portion sawed off, it was really very dependable.
Value
The Gremlin, which was additionally offered in Mexico through a distribution firm known as VAM, was delivered to market in 1970, and initially priced at simply $1879—that’s about $15,000 immediately. We’ll discuss somewhat extra concerning the worth in a second.
Whereas the automobile was certainly low cost—it was shod with hard-plastic cabin components, and virtually no normal gear—it was really, reportedly, very dependable. In 1970, the editors of Fashionable Science journal drove a Gremlin 10,000 miles “…with out a single drawback.” In 1973, Shopper Reviews named the Gremlin it’s top-rated economic system automobile for long-term reliability.
1976 AMC Gremlin Advert
All that stated, there was one critical designed in defect the Gremlin was cursed with, and this editor can attest to this personally: The Gremlin’s rear seat was utterly ineffective.
But, the advert appear right here appears to indicate, effectively really does indicate, that AMC’s least expensive providing really boasted significant rear-seat and cargo-area house. That’s a lie.
The Gremlin, as we famous early, was based mostly on AMC’s Hornet compact automobile. As such, there was an inexpensive quantity of front-row house. However in again, because of the Gremlin’s “Kammback” design, head and legroom have been severely restricted as was cargo house.
Crammed in Again
Enjoyable truth: Someday in, oh, 1982, my buddy Gordon stuffed me into the again seat of his Gremlin—this so a (sizzling) woman may experience shotgun up entrance. The journey was quick—From Meadows Bowl to Pin Pan Alley (arcade) however it was additionally terrible. I used to be pressured to sit down sideways, and, because of the automobile’s lack of facet glass, I couldn’t see out. By the point we arrived at our vacation spot, I used to be affected by each therapist-grade claustrophobia, and extreme spinal curvature. Gordon sucked.
Now, now take a look at this advert. That child seems to be completely happy, and the canine seems to be comfy. I guarantee neither was the case. I’m calling this advert out proper now: stuffing a 3rd particular person at the back of a Gremlin, even a really small particular person, needs to be unlawful.
Naked Bones
Enjoyable bonus truth: What little cargo house there was within the Gremlin, may solely be entry by a small, pop-up glass opening. The Gremlin didn’t have a hatch within the regular sense. Plus, had you ordered the $1879 version of the little AMC mentioned earlier, you’ll have gotten neither the opening glass hatch, nor a again seat. Actually, no again seat.
Because of this loading and unloading cargo meant passing it again between the seats, one other enjoyable technique to pull a muscle whereas spending time with a Gremlin.
All informed, AMC moved a formidable 671,000 Gremlins between 1970 and 1978, spectacular for the nation’s then number-four automaker. A refresh of the Gremlin dubbed Spirit was launched for 1979, however by no means offered in addition to the Gremlin.
Not a Unhealthy Automobile, Actually
As famous earlier, the Gremlin was not a foul automobile, however it was sort of unhealthy at being a automobile. Nevertheless it seemed moderately cool, could possibly be had with a V8 (actually) and had an actual fame for reliability. Whereas no automobile shopper immediately would ever settle for the Gremlin’s flaws in a brand new automobile, issues have been completely different within the Seventies. I imply, folks accepted 8-Monitor tapes as transportable, and The Love Boat as high quality household leisure.
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1976 AMC Gremlin Footage
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