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Khatir Soltani
AMC's Gremlin
AMC's Gremlin | Photo: Detroit Public Library

AMC Gremlin

The AMC Gremlin subcompact car was introduced in 1970, manufactured and marketed in a single, two-door body style (1970–1978) by American Motors Corporation. Using a shortened Hornet platform and bodywork with a pronounced kammback tail, the Gremlin competed against the Chevrolet Vega and Ford Pinto, as well as imported cars including the Volkswagen Beetle and Toyota Corolla.

AMC marketed the Gremlin as "the first American-built import. It was built in the U.S., Mexico and Canada (in Brampton, Ontario).

The Gremlin reached a total production of 671,475 over a single generation. It was replaced by a restyled and revised variant, the AMC Spirit, produced from 1979 through 1983. This was long after the retirement of the Ford Pinto that suffered from stories about exploding gas tanks, as well as the Chevy Vega with its rusting bodies and durability problems with its aluminum engine.

Photo: Roger4336 / Flickr
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 8 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada