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There were two basic Gremlin
models offered for the initial model year: a bare-bones two-seater model and
a more civilized four passenger version. The fixed rear window two-seater
was targeted as an import-fighting price leader and was initially offered at
a miserly $1879. The four-seater, which added a flip-up rear window "hatch"
in addition to the Marquis-de-Sade-inspired rear seat, was priced at $1959.
One of the Gremlin's major
selling points was its powertrain. While the rest of the subcompact
competition had to make do with four-cylinder motivation, the first year
Gremlin came equipped with either of two in-line, six-cylinder engines: a
128 horsepower 199 cubic inch (3.3L) engine was standard, while a 145
horsepower, 232 (3.8L) cubic inch version was optional. These engines were
the tried-and-true AMC seven main bearing sixes that had gained a reputation
for durability and economy since their introduction in mid-1964. A three
speed manual (column shift) transmission was standard with the 199 engine,
while the 232 came standard with a floor-mounted shifter. A column-shift,
3-speed automatic produced by Borg-Warner was optional for either engine.
Because of the extra cubes
and torque provided by the large six-cylinder engines, Gremlin's performance
was quite sprightly, especially in comparison with the rest of the
subcompact competition. This was in spite of the fact that the portly
Gremlin weighed several hundred pounds more than the other small cars. The
immortal "Uncle" Tom McCahill, Mechanix Illustrated's flamboyant auto
tester, drove an early production Gremlin equipped with the optional 232
engine and automatic transmission. His test car was able to zip up to 60 MPH
in 11.9 seconds and also topped 100 MPH out on the straightaway at Daytona
Speedway. He noted that the Gremlin exhibited "fast and easy" handling
(though some other auto testers found the Gremlin's handling to be a real
handful due to a combination of front weight bias, short wheelbase and
torquey engine). At the conclusion of the test, Uncle Tom stated that, "On a
dollar for dollar basis, I rate the Gremlin the best American buy of the
year". Not bad for the first year out. |
