1974 AMC Gremlin Base review from North America

Transmission leaked fluid due to previous owner improperly reattaching components underneath the car.

Car frequently will not start in park due to faulty switch.. need to shift to "neutral" and then it starts right up.

Brakes leaked, lost almost full power-repaired at local store.

Fuel filler neck leaked due to dry rot.

This car sat awhile when I got it and I only drive it a few days during the summer as that's all my collector car insurance coverage allows.So, not being used much, things are likely to start going bad after so many years.

You really get to appreaciate modern technology when driving this car. On freeways, you can really feel the wind pushing it around. Its also loud and acceleration/shifting is a bit crude. Once you get to about 2nd or 3rd gear, though, theres ample power. Probably more than one would expect from a car this size.

The 258 is a low-tech, basic engine. It is easy to work on. It doesn't require trained professionals who charge an arm and a leg. Even though it's a bit archaic, the simplicity gives me a little more peace of mind. Its also a good engine to learn basic mechanics on.

Mine has bare metal underneath. No paint, undercoating, etc. That is one reason why most have rusted out long ago.

Many parts are getting to be very hard to find, but because of lower demand, theyre also MUCH cheaper than those for other antique cars.

This car is a real eye-catcher. It gets A LOT of attention. I like that it is much rarer and so much more distinctive than other old cars.

This was the first american-made subcompact and from a now-defunct company. It has significant historical value. While the big 3 were building conservative sedans and woody wagons, this odd company was making an all-american car that looked like a european car from the early-60s. Once you own one, you love 'em. Theres nothing else quite like it.