‘75 Gremlin pro touring slammer

[Steve H]

Hi all, 

Well, first off, I have never been a fan of the Gremlins. No disrespect to anyone that owns one. However, they are one of those cars that are so awkward, that they are kinda cool... or at least can be. So here goes...

The plan is to do a quick slammer build, no engine, no interior. Some bodywork practice of course. As usual, it needs to be low, and the goal is to try to make it cool... for a Gremlin. I will add working lights, and well, we’ll see what way the wind blows, and where it takes me. 
 

A quick Mr. Googalies search turned up a few images for inspiration. I like the no bumper look and clean lines, also liked the idea of vertical tail lights in the sketch.

Started with a dive in to the parts stash for some Pegasus wheels and tires. Then a quick mock up.

I added a couple of pieces of styrene to the back to create a rear valance. I plan on a very monochromatic look similar to the green car above.

Another dive into the parts stash for a front air dam of sorts. The front from a Dobberton J2000 kit is pretty close for fit, just needed a little tweaking 

The colour needs to be... “different”, found an interesting burnt orange that I think will work.

The rear end will take some messaging. Fill existing tail lights, cut in new, blend in valance. Haven’t quite decided on how I will address the old tail light recessed panel. Keep it recessed or maybe smooth it out, hmmmm.

The lights are difficult to photograph, they look much more convincing to the eye in person. It’s a bit of a mess back there now, but nothing a few hours of sanding can’t fix.?
 

That’s it for now, more soon.

As always, comments welcome, thanks for looking

Cheers, Steve

 

[Mattilacken]

Looks like a cool project and good start on it! I like the idea!

[TarheelRick]

Definitely going to be different. A suggestion on the taillights, keep the indented panel, sand the taillight opening so they will be flat and blended into the panel.

[Dave Van]

Owner of two AMC....I like!  FYI the chassis needs to be wider....it is to narrow. I added a strip on each side....3/16" maybe??

[Claude Thibodeau]

Hi Steve!

Interesting project. A friend had one in the early 70's, and I worked on it with him for some dragstrip passes. Good memories!

I recently was roaming my kit stash for future projects, and noted that the Chevy Beretta Pro-Street kit (really Dobertin J2000) was almost a shoe-in for the AMT Gremlin. I take the liberty to mention it, because I see what I guess is Dobertin's yellow nose section in one of your pics. You said you wanted a simple project, but I could not help it tell you about it...although I'm certain you already tried such a mock-up.

We'll watch your imagination at work with great interest. 

CT 

PS: isn't the Stanford take on the Gremlin a pure delight? I use it as a screen saver once in a while...

[espo]

I like your idea to replicate the green car in the picture above. Like TarheelRick, I also think the stock taillight should be smoothed over. The center exhaust looks in keeping with this design also. You mentioned not having an engine, but if you change your mind it would have to be something different in keeping with the design. I'll enjoy watching your build on this. 

[randyc]

And after that - the Roadkill Caddy powered Gremlin?  

[Steve H]

2 hours ago, TarheelRick said:

Definitely going to be different. A suggestion on the taillights, keep the indented panel, sand the taillight opening so they will be flat and blended into the panel.

Hi Ricky, we are thinking the same thing. Lights are definitely going to be flush mounted. I think if I lose the recessed panel it will be a bit flat and boring. Thanks for the input!

Steve

[Steve H]

2 hours ago, Dave Van said:

Owner of two AMC....I like!  FYI the chassis needs to be wider....it is to narrow. I added a strip on each side....3/16" maybe??

Hi Dave, yes, I noticed that right away. Chassis wasn’t even close to fitting! Took me a minute to figure out that I hadn’t missed something, it was just the kit.

Thanks for sharing
 

 

1 hour ago, espo said:

I like your idea to replicate the green car in the picture above. Like TarheelRick, I also think the stock taillight should be smoothed over. The center exhaust looks in keeping with this design also. You mentioned not having an engine, but if you change your mind it would have to be something different in keeping with the design. I'll enjoy watching your build on this. 

Hello David, sounds like we are all the same page with rear tail light area. Centre dual exhaust is definitely a consideration, regardless, there will be polished aluminium tips. I’m going to stay with simple, no motor, however if there was one it would likely have been twin turbo with interesting routing of the tubes.

Thanks for the input.

2 hours ago, Claude Thibodeau said:

Hi Steve!

Interesting project. A friend had one in the early 70's, and I worked on it with him for some dragstrip passes. Good memories!

I recently was roaming my kit stash for future projects, and noted that the Chevy Beretta Pro-Street kit (really Dobertin J2000) was almost a shoe-in for the AMT Gremlin. I take the liberty to mention it, because I see what I guess is Dobertin's yellow nose section in one of your pics. You said you wanted a simple project, but I could not help it tell you about it...although I'm certain you already tried such a mock-up.

We'll watch your imagination at work with great interest. 

CT 

PS: isn't the Stanford take on the Gremlin a pure delight? I use it as a screen saver once in a while...

Hi Claude, when I first purchased the kit, the idea in my head was a full rip pro street. Indeed, I had the Baretta/J2000 chassis in mind. Twisted minds think alike!  I have switched gears now to do something simple. I have about 15 hood scoops on my desk and haven’t made a decision yet, I think it will be something small.

Thanks for the idea sir!

[doorsovdoon]

This is going to be a cool build. Nice work so far, I like what I'm seeing.

[Steve H]

1 hour ago, randyc said:

And after that - the Roadkill Caddy powered Gremlin?  

Haha! I did consider a rat roddish theme for it. 
Thanks Randy!

[TransAmMike]

I second what you said Steve about not being a Gremlin fan, but I gotta say, this is a really cool build. Had you considered a slight top chop??

[bobthehobbyguy]

Great start. The changes fit the car well. Lo8king forward to see7ng more.

[Dave Van]

One more item that will help the fit.....

Grind chassis where marked....will make interior fit better. 

[Steve H]

6 hours ago, Dave Van said:

One more item that will help the fit.....

Grind chassis where marked....will make interior fit better. 

Thank you Dave! I added some styrene to widen the chassis the other day. Luckily this one will not have an interior, just blacked out windows. The interior will consist of a 9V battery for the lights. I spent about half an hour today making a quick battery compartment. The plan is to have the battery and wires all connected to the body, that way body can easily be removed for battery change. I will get some progress photos on that later.  At a quick glance I am happy to have chosen the slammer/no detail route on this kit. Looks like it would be A LOT of work to get this one detailed appropriately. Thank you for your input sir, much appreciated!!

Cheers, Steve

[slusher]

Great project and idea you have for your build.. I definitely want to follow along..

[Spottedlaurel]

A great start, I look forward to seeing it come together.

Going to be a relief to build this one as a slammer after the the level of detail on the Anglia?

[Lunajammer]

On 11/10/2020 at 10:36 PM, Steve H said:

Oh Steeeve! I'm crestfallen that the whole front end didn't make it to the body. Would've been a bunch of work, but it would be jazzy!

[Steve H]

8 hours ago, Lunajammer said:

Oh Steeeve! I'm crestfallen that the whole front end didn't make it to the body. Would've been a bunch of work, but it would be jazzy!

Hmmmm, why didn’t I think of that? That might have been quite cool indeed. I actually think it would have been easier than what I did!?

Cheers, Steve

[Koellefornia Kid]

Really like what you are doing here! I agree, the Gremlin is an odd looking car which makes it (imo) a perfect canvas for some wild restyling mods. Here is what I did to it (older amt custom only version of the kit):

Can't wait to see yours finished with that Pontiac front

[Steve H]

Hi Oliver, thanks for sharing the photos. That is an awesome build of an awkward car! Love the motor you shoe-horned in there, well played. Only the bottom half of the Pontiac front clip, although if I hadn’t already cut, chopped, sanded, primed.....

I should have some bench time this weekend, so hopefully body will be in primer, then some work on the VERY minimalistic chassis.

Thanks for looking and sharing sir!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Glad to see you on a new project Steve!   A Gremlin is certainly not a common build but it will be different and as I have often been told, the important thing is to be different.   With the addition of your personal touch, this unloved car will definitely look great I'm sure!

[foghorn62]

Hi Steve.  I just ran across your thread here, and thought I’d check it out.  Great work!  I’m excited to see how this one comes out.  Like you, I think Gremlins are kind of weird in their stock form, but offer a blank slate for customized.  Here is one that I did earlier this year for inspiration.  

[Tom Geiger]

42 minutes ago, foghorn62 said:

  Here is one that I did earlier this year for inspiration.  

Whoa!  That is way too cool ?! 

I’d love to see the Dobberton J2000 reissued again!  A lot of guys build with that chassis. I’d like to blend the body with the Chevy Cavalier kit for a stock one to sit next to my Cavalier!

[Steve H]

2 hours ago, foghorn62 said:

Hi Steve.  I just ran across your thread here, and thought I’d check it out.  Great work!  I’m excited to see how this one comes out.  Like you, I think Gremlins are kind of weird in their stock form, but offer a blank slate for customized.  Here is one that I did earlier this year for inspiration.  

 

Hi Tim, that thing is wicked! Thanks for sharing. I’m not going to go that far with mine, but we’ll see where we end up. Hope to have an update later today. 
Cheers, Steve