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by Richard Serra

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It never ceases to amaze me that when a car is so different, it isn't recognized for being ahead of it's time till it no longer is seen on the streets. Now days we would be lucky to even see them at most car shows as I've only seen a handful for the dozens of shows I've attended.

This was America's first compact car made by an American company and for America. Coming out the first of April 1970, I recall this funny odd shaped little car that just seemed doomed from the moment it was first introduced.

However, it kept coming back for another eight years, so somebody had to have a need for it's contribution to making gas prices easier to deal with as well as being a very functional and reliable car.

Though not staggering, they did produce almost 700,000 units which pale by comparison to some American sub compacts.

Knowing that the two largest companies were coming out with subcompacts in 1971, the design of the car came as a result of not having the finances to completely design a totally new model, and came away with the idea of shaving the back of the Javelin, and hence the Gremlin's appearance was influenced by that idea.

So what finally emerged was a cross between the Javelin and the Hornet, the Hornet having a wheelbase of 108 inches was reduced to 96 inches to produce the Gremlin.

The overall length was reduced as well, from 179 inches to 161 inches. This resulted in what was introduced as the Gremlin making its debut about six months before Ford and GM introduced their subcompacts.

The car was a three door model, and was reasonably priced at under $1900.00 which many considered a bargain.
It was also the brunt of many jokes, mainly about its appearance as many thought of it as being incomplete. But in fact, the car was ahead of it's time in that the aerodynamics of the car was followed by many other subcompacts.

Although the car's handling wasn't that great, and the ride suffered as well, it still provided what Americans needed at a time when we were faced with gas shortages.

The following model years made substantial changes in exterior appointments, engine sizes, transmission updating, as well as a host of other cosmetic and federal mandated changes throughout its nine model years.

Major changes in sheet metal were made in 1977 as well as the cars safety requirements and also more power as a result of fuel injection opposed to carburetors.

The last year Gremlins changes were numerous as well, especially the inside which sports a new instrument panel, a sports package, a GT package and other modifications that increased the cars safety and performance.

However, it couldn't compete with some of the new subcompacts that had more advancements and better design.
Overall the Gremlin held its own when it came to performance as it blew the doors of most other subcompacts, but was still considered a car that lacked the backing of most subcompact consumers.

It has earned its place among other so called losers like the Ford Pinto, or Chevy Vega, or the Yugo, and even the AMC Pacer.

All in all, the Gremlin is a sought after car for restoring. Perhaps it has finally caught the imagination of what some may consider a car ahead of it's time.

Learn more about this author, Richard Serra.

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