Re: [AMC-list] 73 VAM Gremlin for sale? (reply from Mexico)

["Eddie Stakes" <eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I asked Mauricio down in Mexico about this Gremlin, and since he knows VAM built cars like I know AMX & Javelin figured would post his reply here! 
Eddie Stakes
713.464.8825
eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.planethoustonamx.com


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Mauricio Jordán Márquez 


Hi Eddie,  

VAM introduced the Gremlin in Mexico until 1974.

Also, the car has strong AMC features that are different from the VAM ones. The Levi's interior was never available in Mexico in no VAM model. VAM Gremlins have the same three-space instrument clusters as the Hornet. The car in question has Gremlin X features (bucket seats, sports steering wheel), VAM introduced the Gremlin until 1975. The bright overlays applied over around the guages and over the glove box door and surrounding areas were not used by VAM in the Mexican Gremlin X. The radio seems to be original, but the radios used (and made) by AMC are different from the ones used by VAM (obtained externally from different manufacturers). The radio in question, judging by the SPEAKERS on the door panels and the rear side interior panels, seems to be an AM FM stereo unit; VAM Gremlins were restricted to monoaural AM units with a single speaker inside the glove box in all years. The car has the heater, which was optional in the base Gremlins and standard in the Gremlin X units (again, since 1975). The VAM Gremlin X included the parcel shelf and courtesy lights as standard equipment, the 1973 doesn't have the shelf and apparently also missing the lights. The vinil top was NOT available in Mexico for the Gremlin. The car has remote controlled driver's side mirror, which I don't know if it was available in the Gremlin line for VAM. It was available in other models though. The car has a 258 six, the VAM Gremlin was restricted to the 232 from 1974 through 1976, the 1976 Gremlin X was the first car in the line to incorporate the 258 six as standard equipment. Too bad there are not pictures of the wheels. 

The car is a 1973, the only way it could be a VAM Gremlin would be by it being a PROTOTYPE, made by AMC and shipped to Mexico for VAM to run tests and prepare the tooling for production. But so far, it looks like an ordinary 1973 AMC Gremlin X to me. If the car is a VAM prptotype, what is it doing outside Mexico?

As for the Hornet front clip, I find two explanations. Either one of the owners disliked the original Gremlin front end and liked the Hornet's thus decided to CUSTOMIZE the car as a simple matter of personal taste or... the car was CRASHED at some point damaging the original front end beyond hope, thus forcing the owner to find a complete front end out of a junkyard car to fix this one. It seems that the Hornet front end is the first thing he managed to find and decided to use it anyway despite being "incorrect" for the car. Some people don't care about the "correctness" at all and use the fiorst thing that works in this kinds of cases. It is pretty common in VAM cars. I once found a 1981 American (Concord) wagon with a 1975-1976 American/Rally/Gremlin front end. I once found a 1973 Rambler American (Hornet) two door sedan with a 1980 American (Concord) dashboard. The GRILLE of the car you're showing me belongs to the 1975-1977 Hornet models (1975-1976 RamblerAmericans/Hornets and Gremlins in Mexico). 

I hope all this information is useful, 

Thanks for lettingme know about this case. 

Correction, the VAM Gremlin "X" was introduced in 1975 while the normal Gremlin was introduced in 1974 in Mexico.. 

Take care, 

Mauricio 

> From: eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> To: baadassGremlins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> CC: rally_amx@xxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: 73 VAM Gremlin for sale?
> Date: Sun, 5 Aug 2012 16:36:33 -0500
> 
> Here is a oddity while we are talking about fenders, looks like might be a VAM Gremlin for sale in AZ, note fenders, also it is 
> Levi's edition, and sports a uber rare vinyl top. And foglights.
> 
> http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/cto/3174791543.html
> 
> AMC Gremlin . 1973
> 258 CI 6 with 3 speed manual transmission.
> Sport wheels with all the trim. I have to meny projects.
> Very little rust. Good car for restoration.
> The car is not a daily driver without work
> I was asking $1400.00 or best offer. Make me an offer I must sell ASAP.
> I have two other projects going. Must sell ASAP.
> Please call I will not answer calls with blocked number and will not read e-mails sent in the middle of the night.
> Call (928) 341-4764
> 
> 
> Eddie Stakes
> 713.464.8825
> eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> www.planethoustonamx.com
> 
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