AMC Gremlin 199
AMC shortened its new Hornet, gave it a chopped-off tail and created an American subcompact with six-cylinder power and a memorable silhouette.
1970–71 AMC Gremlin · Captainpisslord · CC0 1.0
Research pending
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More than a set of wheels.
AMC launched the Gremlin on April 1, 1970, months before Ford's Pinto and Chevrolet's Vega. Designer Richard Teague's team reused the Hornet's front structure, shortened its wheelbase by a foot and ended the roof with a near-vertical rear panel. The four-passenger version added a fold-down back seat and lift-up rear glass, turning the tiny-looking car into useful transport. It was small by Detroit standards, though its standard engine still had six cylinders.
Look a little closer.
The launch date really was April Fool's Day, but the strange tail was serious packaging: folding the rear seat gave the four-passenger car a useful cargo floor beneath its lifting glass.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
A Hornet with a foot taken out
AMC saved scarce development money by sharing the Hornet's front suspension, steering, brakes and much of its body ahead of the doors. The Gremlin's 96-inch wheelbase is exactly a foot shorter, while overall length is about 161 inches. That shortcut produced both the car's recognizable proportions and tight rear-seat space.
Source: 1970 AMC AMA specification sheet ↗Two different launch Gremlins
The least expensive $1,879 version seated two and had fixed rear glass, so luggage went through the side doors. The $1,959 four-passenger car gained a cushioned folding rear seat and lifting rear window. This profile follows the latter, meaning a two-seat promotional car is historically related but not an exact match.
Source: 1970 AMC full-line brochure ↗Where these facts come from
- American Motors · 1970 AMA specification sheet
- American Motors · 1970 full-line brochure
- Old Car Manual Project · 1970 AMC brochure index
- Old Cars Weekly · 1970 Gremlin history
- Automobile-Catalog · 1970 Gremlin 199 specification cross-check
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed September 30, 2026.