Gremlin II?

Dec 19, 2001 | 03:29 PM

Mapman

Thread Starter

Member

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 141

Likes: 0

From: Mt. Prospect, IL, USA

Gremlin II?

Odd thought - My first car (given to me by my father many years ago), was a beat to sh*t '73 Gremlin X (with no radio). I just realized that the C230K that I'm waiting for is the modern equivalent of that car, to wit:

Both cars are/were front-engined, rear-drive hatchbacks with good utility. Both have headlight switches on the dash. Both have foot-operated parking brakes. Both are a bit stubby looking. Both are the cheapest models in the company lineup. Both have front bucket seats and folding back seats.

'Course, the Coupe should be a bit more solid, with more appointments (not to mention that the tranny has 3 more forward gears). It should handle better, too. If it lasts me as long as the Gremlin did, I'll be satisfied.

Dec 19, 2001 | 03:41 PM

benzomonterey

Guest

Posts: n/a

DOH The wheels do kind of resemble the original ones on the CLK

Dec 19, 2001 | 04:37 PM

Rick

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 1,480

Likes: 1

From: Central NJ

C230K Coupe/Orion/C4/C5/CD/AMG Spoiler/V60/TeleAid, 2 MGB's

um....Weren't all Gremlin X's equipped with the AMC 304, 340 or 390 V8's? Seems to me I recall a kid in highschool had one that he tricked out and raced. Couldn't keep the front end down, but he was a legend for outrunning the local police and his signature parking lot wheelie's. (and yes...the front end fell apart after a few of them)

Dec 19, 2001 | 04:45 PM

benzomonterey

Guest

Posts: n/a

Looking closely at the fender emblem it looks like it reads 2 liter? but I can't be certain.

Dec 19, 2001 | 04:59 PM

Lynn

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 3,744

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally posted by Rick
um....Weren't all Gremlin X's equipped with the AMC 304, 340 or 390 V8's? Seems to me I recall a kid in highschool had one that he tricked out and raced. Couldn't keep the front end down, but he was a legend for outrunning the local police and his signature parking lot wheelie's. (and yes...the front end fell apart after a few of them)

Gremlin's were mostly 232 or 252 ci I-6's. The 304 V-8 was optional. Randall Motors of Mesa, Arizona built a limited number of 390's in 1970, and 401's after 70.

The Gremlins were good handling cars for their time and won many IMSA sedan races, despite the handicap of the 3 speed. For even better handling, at least on smooth pavement, the high performance/competition pieces for the 1970 AMX and 70 and later Javelins would bolt right on a Gremlin.