"I'm Back" - AC/DC- (Gremlin to AMX/GT)

[<mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Brien, there wasn't a "slice & slice" done at all! The AMX/GT was made
in 1968 as a fiberglass "pushmobile" (as far as I know -- the windows
appear to be solid and painted black, not real glass, which would
indicate a mock-up only, and this was a common method of showing a
concept at minimal cost at the time). It was taken off the AMX, NOT the
not-yet-in-existence Gremlin. I'm sure it was the inspiration for the
Gremlin's rear styling though. 

Now could a "splice & slice" replica be made? Sure! Ideally you'd start
with an AMX and cut the rear from a Gremlin, widening the roof and rear
panel the inch or two (I've never measured and don't have measurements
in front of me) to make it fit. Wouldn't be terribly difficult, and the
side glass could be robbed from a Javelin and Gremlin. The rear glass
would have to be custom made, but it's flat anyway, so no real trouble
there. 

The easier method, but less accurate, would be to use a Gremlin for the
base. Get a fiberglass Javelin front clip and narrow the hood and grille
to fit. That would creat a reasonable facimile of the AMX/GT. You'd
haveto be careful about narrowing the hood just right. I'd cut off the
edges then trim just a little off the rear of the fenders to bring it
back into alignment. I don't think the fenders would be set back more
than 1/2". The wheel cut-outs might need massaging on the front to bring
things back into proportion, but I doubt it. I wouldn't touch anything
else, the little extra windshield rake wouldn't be noticeable. 

MSgt Frank Swygert


On February 9, 2006 mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Date sent:      	Wed, 08 Feb 2006 14:33:19 -0800
> From:           	"mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx" <List@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject:        "I'm Back" - AC/DC-
> 
> > AMX/GT prototype, which looked very much like a Gremlin with AMX
> > nose. =
> > That would have been easy for AMC to have built! I wonder why Teague
> > =
> > didn't proto one of those for the AMC execs instead of putting a 71
> > hump =
> > fender nose on his two seater?  Would have been a bit more work to
> > put =
> > the 71 nose on a Gremlin, but nothing a good shop couldn't do in a
> > week. =
> 
> > He didn't because a) Gremlin [ostensibly] had four seats, b)
> > Javelin's =
> > front clip was not cheaply narrowed, and c) AMX needed fast
> > departure: =
> > from its rear roof angle --- as well as from performance
> > off-the-line.
> >
> > And AMC also built "muscular" Gremlins: as in "X," "GT," and "5
> > Litre."
> >
> > http://www.wps.com/AMC/Gremlin-graphics/5litre-v8.JPG
> 
> 
> 
> ++
> 
> Having the AMX GT as a screensaver keeps me pondering what cuts where
> will deliver the desired form.
> 
> I'd like to hear from  anyone involved in this creation or know of
> existing blue-print rendering notes as to the actual slice & splice.
> 
> So, just guessing until my eyesight improves, I've found:
> 
> The Javelin nose was 'channeled' - [was it narrowed???] -  my guess,
> some  inches - s'inking' the upper belt line portion into the lower
> panels.
> 
> One fabrication give away is the position of the door handle in
> conjunction to the body crease line highlight.
> 
> Teague took the metal out mostly above the door handle area -
> with just a taste from the panel below - creating a 'high-pocket'
> profile in a low profile medium.
> 
> They may have moved the door handle position as well to accomplish
> the right amount of removal - but just a t'aste'.
> 
> The height of the glass appears to have been narrowed as well.
> 
> I suspect that a few degree  cant of the nose came during
> the channelling -  sinking ' the hood nose downward into the form
> while making the lengthwise cuts to remove excess - not much,
> but again - a t'aste'.
> 
> The Gremlin back quarter was widened - [if the nose weren't narrowed[
> , - & angled forward & kicked in some inch toward the wheel wells.
> 
> Windshield "A"  pillars were laid back , but as a production car - I
> frequently hit the headliner in my Kammback, so this roof height
> would be a non-production item.
> 
> If I lowered the seat height - you wouldn't be able to drive very
> well.
> 
> To understand what it takes for driveability , look at the GT-40
> cabin / windshields relationship to the nose height.
> 
> Given the Kammback or Gremlin roof height, one could remove
> at best one inch, maybe two before the first bump in the road
> snapped your neck.
> 
> Like most others - I'd build one of these AMX GT congloms in a
> heartbeat.
> 
> Who knows the factual' what it takes to build one of these ?
> 
> 
>              Brien.
>          NEW YORK
>    eagle registry #501
> eagle kammback registry