One day in 1966, the AMC design chief Richard Teague on a commercial flight to Detroit mulling over ideas for the "new wave" of subcompact cars that the four had plans to compete with the VW Bug. The VW had shown that the new generation of Americans had a strong interest in a cheap economy car that still retains a degree of "style" that will be attractive to young buyers.
American Motors' entry of the old economy, Rambler American, had no real youth appeal to everyone, and design (and the Rambler nameplate itself) should have been eliminated by the 1970th
American Motors' entry of the old economy, Rambler American, had no real youth appeal to everyone, and design (and the Rambler nameplate itself) should have been eliminated by the 1970th
The plans were already underway to replace a Rambler opaque with a completely new car compact, which was then designed using the elements of the Vixen and the Cavalier to design exercises that had already been shown to the public. But a new car, which eventually debut Hornet is a compact, not a family car. AMC still the price leader.
Teague was under several restrictions. AMC development budget was tiny compared to the largest car manufacturers, so the new car was to use all existing central AMC - were not developing new engines.
As a result, the new concept had to be physically small enough to be considered a subcompact, but large enough to accommodate 199/232 AMC straight six. In addition, the AMC is determined to get their cars on the market ahead of Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge competition, and the fastest (and cheapest) way to do this was to minimize conversion costs as much as possible using existing parts.
Suddenly, Teague had an idea ... And if he took the platform Javelin brand new, just "chopped" it off as short as possible to make a subcompact?
In this way, the new car could share as many tools as possible with an existing model, yet a completely different profile "personality" of the car in general. Teague grabbed the nearest piece of paper and sketched out the idea and the same sheet of paper all the way back to the studio when it was time to spot a suggestion. Never before has an air sickness bag has played a crucial role in a program of new car!
First draft of Teague eventually became massive as the AMX-GT, which was first presented to see the New York International Auto in April 1968.
As a result, the new concept had to be physically small enough to be considered a subcompact, but large enough to accommodate 199/232 AMC straight six. In addition, the AMC is determined to get their cars on the market ahead of Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge competition, and the fastest (and cheapest) way to do this was to minimize conversion costs as much as possible using existing parts.
Suddenly, Teague had an idea ... And if he took the platform Javelin brand new, just "chopped" it off as short as possible to make a subcompact?
In this way, the new car could share as many tools as possible with an existing model, yet a completely different profile "personality" of the car in general. Teague grabbed the nearest piece of paper and sketched out the idea and the same sheet of paper all the way back to the studio when it was time to spot a suggestion. Never before has an air sickness bag has played a crucial role in a program of new car!
First draft of Teague eventually became massive as the AMX-GT, which was first presented to see the New York International Auto in April 1968.
At this time, Teague "common platform" concept had been implemented with the AMX, which premiered in March. The AMX, which was originally planned as a unique offer, ended up being the first expression of Teague "cut" strategy. Built on a short 97 "wheelbase, the production AMX was a virtual twin of the javelin" B "pillar forward, but also shared a rear window, trunk lid, a light bar and rear bumper his javelin parents. AMX-GT was also a 97 "wheelbase and share your design with the javelin forward, but the rest of the design was much more faithful to the original idea of Teague provide the car with a unique personality. As in the original design of Teague, the GT is essentially a spear abruptly truncated by a curve "Kammback" instead of the conventional trunk. The result is very similar to the Gremlin known, although much lower and smoother.
The AMX-GT is not really considered for production, especially after the success of the AMX sports car. However, Teague was never one to abandon a good idea, and the basis of "Kammback" concept was simply transferred to the next platform being developed ... Hornet compact proposal.
Once again, self kammback would share everything, pillar "B" forward, is an old car, but behind the share to be unique.
This concept kammback time all the way to production, and the new subcompact has been named "Gremlin" before him in April 1970 launch.
The new Gremlin quickly became a huge hit with young, first time car buyers interested in the economy. Although ridiculed by some observers as "half a car" at the time, the basic design kammback proven very durable and has inspired a host of imitators over the next twenty years.
Gremlin Base (available in 2 - and 4-seat configurations in the first place), were united in 1971 by Gremlin X, which used mag wheels and stripes tape borrowed Javelin for a sporty look.
Gremlins had some muscle to congratulate the sporty look in 1972, when the 304 V8 became an option. Original Gremlin was restyled for 1974 (bumper and grille), shape, and 1977 (a new front clip, rear lights and rear window treatment), and will be updated again in 1979, when it came to Spirit Sedan (new processing front end, new rear quarter panel). The final variation of the Gremlin Kammback Aquila, who had a 4WD sedan version of the Spirit.
A common rumor heard around the AMC in the late 70's was a 4-dr Gremlin / Spirit was expected. The ideas would be quite useless to be so close in concept to the existing Concord Wagon, but the idea was adopted by the LCA, MAC-based partner who produced Mexico Mexico Lerma-kun 2 and 4 configurations doors.
Lerma, mainly in collaboration with the Spirit Concord sedan with a body longer, and the result was very similar to that of today and the Olds Cutlass Chevy Citation, "saloon" popular at that time.
By the mid-70, MAC game design studio with design ideas for renovating the aging Gremlin. Some of these experiences, such as XP 1974 Gremlin, were exercises designed around a production Gremlin. Others, such as "Concept I" and "Concept II," only existed on paper and represents a completely new car from scratch.
In the end, AMC, combined with front-end design, "Gran Turismo", a concept car and the rear part of the 1974 "Gremlin G / II," Wheel Car Show parts for the production of Gremlin, Spirit Liftback. Production of '79 Spirit Liftback seemed very similar to G / II concept car, minus the rear quarter of the latter "swelling".
The decision to retain the traditional style "kammback" Gremlin as the Spirit sedan was a very late stage in the design, prototype production Saloon in Kenosha, it was not until December 1978, and after the Liftback was already in full production.
The sedan was launched in early 1980, and was built before production ceased in 1983 Spirit. This marked the end of the road for the car that was fun, looking for an American phenomenon.
The AMX-GT is not really considered for production, especially after the success of the AMX sports car. However, Teague was never one to abandon a good idea, and the basis of "Kammback" concept was simply transferred to the next platform being developed ... Hornet compact proposal.
Once again, self kammback would share everything, pillar "B" forward, is an old car, but behind the share to be unique.
This concept kammback time all the way to production, and the new subcompact has been named "Gremlin" before him in April 1970 launch.
The new Gremlin quickly became a huge hit with young, first time car buyers interested in the economy. Although ridiculed by some observers as "half a car" at the time, the basic design kammback proven very durable and has inspired a host of imitators over the next twenty years.
Gremlin Base (available in 2 - and 4-seat configurations in the first place), were united in 1971 by Gremlin X, which used mag wheels and stripes tape borrowed Javelin for a sporty look.
Gremlins had some muscle to congratulate the sporty look in 1972, when the 304 V8 became an option. Original Gremlin was restyled for 1974 (bumper and grille), shape, and 1977 (a new front clip, rear lights and rear window treatment), and will be updated again in 1979, when it came to Spirit Sedan (new processing front end, new rear quarter panel). The final variation of the Gremlin Kammback Aquila, who had a 4WD sedan version of the Spirit.
A common rumor heard around the AMC in the late 70's was a 4-dr Gremlin / Spirit was expected. The ideas would be quite useless to be so close in concept to the existing Concord Wagon, but the idea was adopted by the LCA, MAC-based partner who produced Mexico Mexico Lerma-kun 2 and 4 configurations doors.
Lerma, mainly in collaboration with the Spirit Concord sedan with a body longer, and the result was very similar to that of today and the Olds Cutlass Chevy Citation, "saloon" popular at that time.
By the mid-70, MAC game design studio with design ideas for renovating the aging Gremlin. Some of these experiences, such as XP 1974 Gremlin, were exercises designed around a production Gremlin. Others, such as "Concept I" and "Concept II," only existed on paper and represents a completely new car from scratch.
In the end, AMC, combined with front-end design, "Gran Turismo", a concept car and the rear part of the 1974 "Gremlin G / II," Wheel Car Show parts for the production of Gremlin, Spirit Liftback. Production of '79 Spirit Liftback seemed very similar to G / II concept car, minus the rear quarter of the latter "swelling".
The decision to retain the traditional style "kammback" Gremlin as the Spirit sedan was a very late stage in the design, prototype production Saloon in Kenosha, it was not until December 1978, and after the Liftback was already in full production.
The sedan was launched in early 1980, and was built before production ceased in 1983 Spirit. This marked the end of the road for the car that was fun, looking for an American phenomenon.