Classic average cars

[Rogue Hawk]

Everyone remembers Camaro's, Mustangs, cars like that. They get restored. But what about a restored...AMC Gremlin?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHhnFjCn26M

Its funny to look at these cars. Through my eyes today, they seem so primitive.

[mowin]

Learned to drive on a 74 gremlin 3 on the tree.

[MeudtPG]

I still drive this all the time for the past 43 years when there is no salt (in Wisconsin).

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[Bob Denman]

How about the Gremlin's younger Brother: the Pacer? :dontknow:

[vindex1963]

I always liked the Gremlin X V-8.

I had a high school friend with a Hornet and another had a Hornet wagon, absolute JUNK!!!

[wyliec]

Rogue,

My eyes hurt now. I did like the AMC Rebel Machine (red, white, and blue).

[canamjhb]

I just can't think of anything good about a 76 Gremlin..... Restored or not..... Jim

[mowin]

How about the Gremlin's younger Brother: the Pacer? :dontknow:
I still thank God dad had a Gremlin and not a Pacer, because I probably wouldn't have gotten my license as soon as I did.:roflblack:

[ARtraveler]

How about the Gremlin's younger Brother: the Pacer? :dontknow:

AKA: The "fishbowl."

[ARtraveler]

AMC did build some interesting stuff. But...most of it was not very good. How about that Marlin and the Javelin?

[Navvet]

Wow ... Memories .....

First car, Dad's hand me down 72 Hornet sedan, bench seat, 3 on the tree, am radio with the 232 straight six ..... As basic as you could get ....

Next, Brand new 1977 Hornet Hatchback AMX. 258 straight six with 4 on the floor, black interior with white seats, and an actual AM/FM Stereo radio, and only $4,500 out the door .....

Still have the plates from that car .....

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Shortly after being sworn in as a NYCPD officer ( 1968 )….. I got to participate in the First ( of a few ) Harlem riots …… the only safe and welcome place to be when not on the " line ", was at various Fire Dept. stations ( the neighborhood folks LOVED the fireman ) … so did we. Well at one of the fire houses I discovered a car for sale ( one of my long time dream cars - the other was the Shelby Cobra 427 roadster which I built a copy of in 98 ) It was a lt. blue pearlescent ( factory color ) Jag XKE roadster, dk. blue genuine canvass top with dk. blue leather seats ( the real kind )…… It had the upgraded 40DOHC triple Webers, which gave much better acceleration and 10-15 higher mph at top end …….. Here's the kicker, I only paid $1800.00 ….. not bad for a First car :lecturef_smilie::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack: :roflblack:...…………. Mike :thumbup:

[Lin]

One of my best friends in high school had a 69 AMX with a 390. It was fast!!!!

[Bob Denman]

It was a lt. blue pearlescent ( factory color ) Jag XKE roadster, dk. blue genuine canvass top with dk. blue leather seats ( the real kind )…… It had the upgraded 40DOHC triple Webers, which gave much better acceleration and 10-15 higher mph at top end …….. Here's the kicker, I only paid $1800.00 ….. not bad for a First car :lecturef_smilie::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack: :roflblack:...…………. Mike :thumbup:


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Was it "Shag-a-liscious"?

[vided]

my 69 AMX

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[Bob Denman]

The AMX...
A.K.A. "Jack: the Giant-Killer"! :bowdown:

Sneaky fast cars...:thumbup:

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

169198
Was it "Shag-a-liscious"?

No mine a 63 - the early " E " jag with the glass covered headlites …….:yes:...…………. Mike :ohyea:

[Bob Denman]

They were the best-looking ones! :bowdown::bowdown::bowdown: :2thumbs:

Truthfully: ANY car that has Liz Hurley in it; has got to be pretty darn good-looking!

[3 Wheel Rider]

Growing up in Kenosha Wisconsin meant the American Motorors Corporation was as common as peanut butter and jelly and Saturday morning cartoons.

The engine factory was a critical component of our city economy. Many of my friends parents and grandparents worked at the AMC factory and nearly everyone in town owned/drove an AMC (Hornet, Matador, Concord, Rebel, Gremlin, Gremlin AMX, Javelin, Javelin AMX, Pacer, Spirit, etc.). Some did venture off to a 60s era Camaro, 70s era Chevy Nova, Pontiac GTO or 80s era Trans-Am, Firebird but for the most part everything was AMC.

I was with my older brother when he bought his AMC in 1982, paid $1,200, less than 30k miles. It was a Forest Green 1972 Javelin AMX with a 401 cu in V-8 and glass-packed headers. I loved that car and am taken back to my childhood when I see any old, classic AMC today... muscle car or not.

[cueman]

Hello, my name is cueman, and yes I have owned an AMC Gremlin. :opps:

[Chupaca]

Was not in the country at the time but who remembers the "K" cars....???

[canamjhb]

If I remember right, K Cars were Lee Iaccocas' attempt to save Chrysler. And I guess they did. When they came out, my boss had a company car. It was a K car and had a turbo. He always (jokingly) referred to it as "The Turbo"..... Jim

[3 Wheel Rider]

The Reanault Alliance (K-car) was Lee Iaccoca's attempt to save Chrysler and the engine plant in Kenosha.

[Bob Denman]

It worked: didn't it? :D
Without the K-Cars: we never would have had the Hellcat or Demon :bowdown: modles show up!

[johnsimion]

I like it better than today's cars. It has some personality and a style that doesn't look like every other car. You can bet that Gremlin gets more attention at car shows than all those Camaros and Mustangs. But then I guess I am weird. I have a three-wheeled motorcycle and I think that my Can Am and cars like the Gremlin and MGB are far more fun than these 800 HP monstrosities that are supposed to be sporty. IMO it's more about style and performance you can actually use than chest-thumping showoffs. So you can go 0-60 in 2 seconds and pull 1.05 gs. Unless you go to a track, that's just wasted performance ... but how many times do you drive through the Wal-Mart parking lot. Far more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.

Speaking of Camaros, has anyone seen the movie "A Simple Favor"? It's a great movie IMO but there is a scene in that movie in which they crash (or seem to crash) a beautifully restored '68 or '69 Camaro. I really can't believe they'd crash such a car but it sure looks realistic.

[Rogue Hawk]

The car I learned to drive on was my mother's 75' red and white Duster. The first car I owned, bought in 82', was a 75 Nova. The Nova was black, AM radio, roll up windows, no air conditioning, and black plastic bench seats. That was a real joy in the summer.

These are examples of what they looked like. I'm sure the ones I drove turned to rust a long time ago.
https://www.valiant.org/images/PIC00024.jpg
https://www.actionautowreckers.com/images/75Nova1.jpg

[SL Ken]

The Gremlin X cars with the V-8's were fast. They were a hoot to drive. I'd love to have one now. Pacer' s were just weird. You had to lift them like 3 feet in the air to work on the bottom side of the engine. The whole front end assembly swung down after you unbolted it.

[johnsimion]

Re: "The Reanault Alliance (K-car) was Lee Iaccoca's attempt to save Chrysler and the engine plant in Kenosha."

The K-cars were the Dodge Aries, Plymouth Reliant, Chrysler LeBaron and Dodge 400. They were built by Chrysler Corp. at its Jefferson Avenue (Detroit) auto plant from 1981-1989. The Renault Alliance was built by American Motors Corp. (AMC) from 1983-1987 in Kenosha and production was ended after Chrysler bought AMC in 1987.

[Rogue Hawk]

I think I am one of the few people that like the Pacer. I liked the spaciousness with all that glass. It was also very unique. Most cars back then where crap. They where built to fail. We are lucky the Japanese changed that game.

[dondje]

Had a 1968 AMX (#1252). Build number was on the dash. It had the 390ci, with shift command 3 speed auto and manual capable floor shifter. Also had the go pac with all the heavy duty extras. Bright orange with black stripes. Really sorry since that I sold it. But I was just a kid, Jr/Sr yrs of HS and a couple years after. Upped the hp a bit and beefed up the tranny/tqc in auto shop. Ran low 11s. Could get the front end off the ground with the right set of rear tires.

Regards,

Don

[dondje]

The first car I owned, bought in 82', was a 75 Nova. The Nova was black, AM radio, roll up windows, no air conditioning, and black plastic bench seats. That was a real joy in the summer.

Back in the early 80s I had a 1974 2D Nova. Built 400SB, built T400 trans, don't recall trim package, but had cloth buckets with console shift. Less than three hours from Division on ramp in Spokane, WA. to I90 and I5 intersection in Seattle, WA. What fun it was to be young and stupid. Still have the engine and trans (both since again rebuilt) in a 1979 Jeep CJ5.

Regards,

Don

[Chupaca]

Can you picture a mob boss in upstate somewhere driving into the compound in .... a Cadillac Cimmeron....:roflblack:

[RapidSpyder]

Can you picture a mob boss in upstate somewhere driving into the compound in .... a Cadillac Cimmeron....:roflblack:

That was an ugly car...

[Machinegunner]

I just bought a 1969 Barracuda notchback. 383 magnum Road runner motor, purple strip street hemi cam, 750 Edelbrock performer carb, and Edelbrock performer RPM manifold. Plum crazy color. Going to be fun this summer.

[ARtraveler]

I just bought a 1969 Barracuda notchback. 383 magnum Road runner motor, purple strip street hemi cam, 750 Edelbrock performer carb, and Edelbrock performer RPM manifold. Plum crazy color. Going to be fun this summer.

I drooled over those back in the day. Hope you enjoy yours.

[asp125]

In the same era of the K cars. Carroll Shelby's Dodge Onmi GLH / GLHS and the Shelby Lancer, and Dodge Charger. Lee Iacocca's attempt to breathe some performance into their brand in the face of competition from European and Japanese hot hatchbacks. They're somewhat collectible if you can find one.

[retread]

Okay, how many of you have heard of the Hudson Jet, or the Willys Aero, or maybe a Crosley HotShot?

john

[ARtraveler]

Brands yes. The specific models no. One exception...the Hudson Hornet. I believe that looked like an upside down bathtub...similar to Nash (the forerunner of Rambler and AMC).

[LeftCoast]

I don’t know if this was an average car or not but I loved it in high school. It was the 1971 Buick GS with the 350, Holly shifter and 4 barrel carb. They made a 455 too. I didn’t know how to work on cars so I never did the glass packs etc but I did know how to put in a stereo so that part was improved at least. By 1984 I couldn’t find parts for it so had to sell it cheap. I loved that car.

[Bob Denman]

My Cousin Rick had a 1970 Chevelle SS LS-6... :bowdown:
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He lived off of his street-racing winnings; for two years... :clap:

[asp125]

If we're talking about the average car, it had to be the plain jane everyman's daily driver back in the day. Nothing says that more than the 40's Ford Business Coupes.

http://assets.hemmings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads//2015/01/IMG_5649-700x466.jpg

[asp125]

Another classic?
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/72/53/9b/72539b65550e5a128c89f67c02929309.jpg

[Bob Denman]

Is that one of those "Fourth of July" edition Pintos? :D

[ARtraveler]

Is that one of those "Fourth of July" edition Pintos? :D

That was a special edition, right from the dealer--Pinto. It will go up nice with the exploding gas tank...when the time comes.

I had a Pinto sedan as a rental for a month back in 1972. That was before I knew that I was driving a potential firebomb. :bbq:

[JerryB]

Hi 125,

Re: the 40's Ford Business Coupes.

And for those not around in those days, Business Coupes ( Fords & Chevys ) had no back seats; that was for storage of your sales goodies/suitcases/etc.

Jerry Baumchen

[ARtraveler]

I don’t know if this was an average car or not but I loved it in high school. It was the 1971 Buick GS with the 350, Holly shifter and 4 barrel carb. They made a 455 too. I didn’t know how to work on cars so I never did the glass packs etc but I did know how to put in a stereo so that part was improved at least. By 1984 I couldn’t find parts for it so had to sell it cheap. I loved that car.

I had a 1960 Buick Invicta with the 455. That one would really move out. The car was the four door with the wrap around back window. I thought they looked pretty cool.

[Bob Denman]

That was a special edition, right from the dealer--Pinto. It will go up nice with the exploding gas tank...when the time comes.

I had a Pinto sedan as a rental for a month back in 1972. That was before I knew that I was driving a potential firebomb. :bbq:

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[Rogue Hawk]

That was a special edition, right from the dealer--Pinto. It will go up nice with the exploding gas tank...when the time comes.

I had a Pinto sedan as a rental for a month back in 1972. That was before I knew that I was driving a potential firebomb. :bbq:

I remember people making jokes about Pinto drivers being nerves with Audi 5000 owners behind them.

https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1020726_a-short-sad-history-of-so-called-sudden-acceleration

"In November 1986, the CBS news show 60 Minutes aired a dramatic segment that skewered Audi's largest sedan, then called the 5000, as fatally dangerous, due to its alleged tendency to accelerate out of control."

[RapidSpyder]

I'll add mine:

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T-boned @ 45 mph:

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[dondje]

Is that a Maverick? Brought back memories of my grandparent's. They pulled into their driveway just after picking up their new 4dr 1973 Maverick. I was mowing their lawn. Just as they stopped, the mower thru up a rock and put a large ding in the driver's door. They took it back and got another. Grandma's brother was the service manager at the dealership.

Regards,

Don

[RapidSpyder]

Is that a Maverick? Brought back memories of my grandparent's. They pulled into their driveway just after picking up their new 4dr 1973 Maverick. I was mowing their lawn. Just as they stopped, the mower thru up a rock and put a large ding in the driver's door. They took it back and got another. Grandma's brother was the service manager at the dealership.

Regards,

Don

Yup, I was seeing if anyone would recognize it. It was a 76 and a garage find, all original and my sons first car. Think it had 27000 miles or so when we got it.

[wyliec]

If we're talking about the average car, it had to be the plain jane everyman's daily driver back in the day. Nothing says that more than the 40's Ford Business Coupes.

http://assets.hemmings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads//2015/01/IMG_5649-700x466.jpg

I'd call that anything but average. I'd like to have one of those.