Can’t Say Enough About ’73 Gremlin

I enjoyed Jeanne Wright’s column “Those Oddball ‘70s Cars: Even They Have Their Fans” (Your Wheels, Dec. 15).

I have a 1973 American Motors Corp. Gremlin X. It has been the least troublesome of my 30-plus vehicles during the 23 years I have owned it. And it certainly stands out among today’s crop of mostly bland, virtually indistinguishable badge-engineered buckets.

The Gremlin was the first modern American subcompact car when it was launched in spring 1970. Its unique styling still turns heads today. And it is simple to maintain and gets more than 20 miles to the gallon using the lowest-octane regular gas. Its acceleration beats that of many modern cars, thanks to its low weight and its powerful 258-cubic-inch six-cylinder engine.

In fact, on wet pavement one has to be careful to prevent the rear wheels from spinning when starting from a stop. It is a muscle car in disguise!

I must disagree with auctioneer Craig Jackson, however, when he says the Gremlin and other ‘70s models are snubbed by collectors of classic cars. True, those people who consider classic cars as investment objects and haul them from auction to auction in search of an always higher “return on investment,” are usually uninterested in the ‘70s cars.

But this is fortunate for us collectors in the true sense of the word, who not only restore their own vehicles but also drive and enjoy them daily without much concern about their appreciation.

And since rarity is one criterion of a true classic, they are usually the special attractions at car shows. When you have looked at two dozen ’57 Chevrolet convertibles, the sight of a nice original ’71 Checker taxi or an original ’73 AMC Gremlin X is a welcome diversion.

HERMAN PFAUTER

Santa Barbara