[Wyatt]

1971-1972 AMC Gremlin, casting #931, no date (2006).

Known variations: Roll Cage, Hood Scoop, Pro Stock Chassis.



JLCollector link: http://www.jlcollector.com/931.html

[Jeff Koch]

Whenever new model discussions came up, TL had wanted to do Pro Stock cars, ie Gremlin, Vega, Maverick, one or two others. He very much wanted to take advantage of the changeable-core tools by offering a variety of hood and chassis (ie, street and race) options to expand possibilities and had verbalized these desires for years. I recall two things stopping him: 1) the cost and trouble of getting licenses for drivers etc, which his minions had experienced for some of the previous drag racing series, and 2) the thought that a street-stock Vega, Gremlin etc might not be the best sellers on pegs. Lower-hanging fruit always beckoned, and so these were put off. But Fresh Cherries proved that there was a market for nerd-chic cars in diecast, and I find it (amusing? ironic? a little sad? take your pick) that the Vega and Gremlin didn't come to market until after TL had sold PM. I wonder if these castings were started under his ownership and completed post-sale?

jk

[accobra64]

Jeff, there are a lot of us who grew up seeing Vegas, Gremlins, and Mavericks on the streets everyday.
They were part of our lives just like the big Chevy and Ford station wagons.
Personally, I am pleased that the powers to be at JL decided to make these specific castings.
Once the stance on the Vega was corrected, it has turned into a sharp casting.
I like the red coloured GT version.
I was excited when the Maverick casting came out.
The same applied to the grey coloured Gremlin, too.
I believe that issuing the castings periodically instead of a whole bunch one after the other, keeps collectors like me buying them.
The detail on the first two Gremlin releases is fantastic.
Just take a look at the image above that Wyatt has provided.
Need I say more?

Wyatt, another great casting choice for the "Picture Of The Week".
Keep them coming, as I wait eagerly each week for the next installment.

Jeff, thanks for some more incite to the inner workings and happenings at your former employer.
Your comments are always appreciated.

Cheers. Cobra

[SnowOwl]

When I was in drivers ed I practiced driving around in a friends Gremlin, took my drivers test in a Vega. Did a lot of partying in another friend's Pinto. I even owned a Maverick. Through the years I thought it sure would be nice if one of the diecast companies would produce the cars that I grew up around. Don't get me wrong I LOVE muscle cars and certain imports and modern cars too. But I have always had a soft spot of the every day car.

[LIGHTNING44]

thanks for the pics Wyatt, but no comment on that thing....

[davidj]

Never owned one, can't remember ever riding in one, but I have bought each one released. My favorite is the Spoilers and "Door Prize!"

[accobra64]

I can still remember the first time I ever saw one of these AMC Gremlins at the drag races.
What a sight!
And that little sucker could really haul.
It wasn't something I had expected to see.
But what a blast.
I even had to check it out in the pits.
That particular vehicle is a lasting memory.

Here is an image of a similar Gremlin X at the drags:


Image courtesy of GremlinX.com.
Note: the two AMC's side by side.
What a wonderful picture.

Cheers. Cobra

[darkwiz]

So far I have four of the Gremlins in my collection. I agree with Davidj that the Spoiler and "Door Prize" are the best two .

Thank's for the great subject matter Wyatt .
Thank's for the great info Jeff .
Thank's for that cool pic ACC .

[69Stang]

Snow Owl, you covered all the bases did'ent you! Sounds like it was fun!

I love the drag treatment JL has done on these two (Vega and Grim) and can onlu hope they will do more! Here is my contribution...

Here they are together....



And a "Door Prize" version after it's been "washed"!

[martijn'75]

Wyatt you really hit the jackpot with this particular casting. I received the door price casting from relatives who live in the LA area and I liked it inmediatly. It now stands tall between the heavy hitters like the BWF's and the muscle cars and Hot Rods. Thanks for the beatiful picture and keep up the good work!


M75

[Fury Us]

Hey Ward,
That Vega better hurry up and get to the staging lights. Otherwise that Gremmie is gonna be "Bye-Bye"!

RC2 got this casting right. I have a few versions in my collection. It's great that there is a pro stock variation to this car. Should be easily done to other castings.

[roadwarrior]

Sent all mine to Canada,But I did keep one of the Door Prize

[STUTZ]

I bought the "Door Prize" because it was a RWB car.

[James]

Hey Ward,
That Vega better hurry up and get to the staging lights. Otherwise that Gremmie is gonna be "Bye-Bye"!

RC2 got this casting right. I have a few versions in my collection. It's great that there is a pro stock variation to this car. Should be easily done to other castings.

thats just the gremlin's handicap, 1 car length

[Fury Us]

thats just the gremlin's handicap, 1 car length

TOOOO funny!! (even tho it came from a Bowtie fan)
I'm afraid you may have stirred up the AMC crew.....

[TZ Johnny Lightning]

TL was not around when we chose these models. These were models that I have had on my list to tool from my MINT Edition Racing Champions days. I had all the reference available to me for the Vega as I worked on the 1:18 American Muscle version and contacted a Chicago area man who owned a Gremlin and an AMC Eagle. I photographed both of the cars but the Eagle did not make the cut. Good news is the Eagle SX/4 is now on the list for a 2009 release.

Tom Z

[Jeff Koch]

And now we know.

Thanks Tom!

jk