11 Comments
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David Korabell's avatar

I had one of these. Bought second-hand in 1981 when I turned 17 and went to college.

It actually had good acceleration and I discovered the speedometer pegged out at 110.

It got written-off in a fender-bender in '87 or '88. The backseat could be folded down for more cargo space, but the design didn't allow the seat backs to lie fully flat, so they stuck-up slightly - a minor quirk. I believe the upholstery rivets were an aluminum alloy - they never seemed to be noticeably hot even when the seat-belt buckles were blistering.

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Retroist's avatar

Thanks for answering that question. I figured they must have thought about the heat-factor, but couldn't find anyone who had mentioned it. Could you feel the rivets at all when you sat down? Their placement looks like one wouldn't.

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David Korabell's avatar

I didn't remember the rivets until I saw the photo - so no they weren't noticeable at all. I remember being burned by the steering wheel, belt buckled and door handles but I don't remember the rivets at all.

The first car I ever drove was a Gran Torino station wagon.

Bench seats were better for dating than bucket seats.

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Metagrrrl's avatar

Can I get a Gremlin gas cap as a belt buckle? It would look real swell with my jeans as I cruise the Ave behind the wheel of my stylish, budget-friendly car.

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Retroist's avatar

I wasn't able to find a belt buckle, which seems like a major oversight, but I did find some very cool keychains.

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Thomas's avatar

I want one!

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David Perlmutter's avatar

"The economy car that wears the pants." A very unique tag line.

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Chas's avatar

Didn't they do a Jeep as well?

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Retroist's avatar

They did! They would add the option to their the Hornet, Pacer, AMX, and Jeep CJ models in blue and tan denim.

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Steve Overby's avatar

My parents had a yellow one. Learned to drive a stick in it from my Mom. It was a good little car.

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Maxpocalypse's avatar

We had a GremlinX for a few years when I was a kid. I loved riding in the hatchback :)

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