The Gremlin went on sale on April 1, 1970 and was built through 1978. It used a shortened Hornet platform with a short Kammback tail. It started with a 199 cu in six, with a 232 as an option, and a 258 six followed. A 304 cu in V8 was offered from 1972 and was cancelled in the middle of 1976. In 1977 and 1978 a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine from Volkswagen was also available.
The Gremlin was among the first American subcompact cars, introduced on April 1, 1970, ahead of the Ford Pinto and Chevrolet Vega. Based on a shortened Hornet platform with a distinctive chopped Kammback tail, it used AMC straight-six engines and later offered a 304 V8 in the sporty Gremlin X. Its unusual styling made it one of the most recognizable cars of the 1970s. Production continued through 1978.
56years
2generations
6trims
79–148hp range
The Lineage
2 generations · tap any to explore5 trimsFirst generation
1970–1978
1 trimGremlin X 304 V8
1972–1976
The Story
Why the Gremlin mattersTrims · Gremlin X 304 V8
1 trim · 1972–1976★ Only trim
Gremlin X 304 V8
Hatchback · 1972–1976
Power
148 hp
Body
Hatchback
Debut
1972
Production
1972–1976
View the Gremlin X 304 V8