America's ULTRA Rare V8 Powered Super Hatchback - The AMC Gremlin 401-XR

In this Rare Cars documentary, we go deep into one of the rarest and most overlook dealer built cars in American history, the AMC Gremlin 401-XR. This special V8 powered super hatchback while it was ugly was one of the fastest cars that you could purchase from 1972 to 1974, and almost nobody knows that these even existed.

Learn all there is to know about the AMC Gremlin 401-XR in episode 26 of our documentary series on the world's most fascinating cars.

*Note, we are not historians. If you see an error in our research then please mention it in the comments!

[rarecars]

What does everyone think of the new intro?

[gimenovax]

The Gremlin I had when I was 17 was the most fun car I ever owned.

[yukonstriker]

I was 3 years old in '72
My Mom loved her 304 V8 Gremlin.
I cherish those memories

[armcchargues]

I had a 383 Barracuda in my senior year of high school and there was only one car at school that could outrun it. A purple Gremlin X that had a 401 from a Matador swapped into into it. When the guy could get it to hook up, it was wicked fast. My Cuda would hook up better, so it was a good race.

[barryervin]

The 401 Gremlin was converted by an AMC dealer and sold in very small numbers. But the 304 V-8 was a regular production option and there were thousands of them sold. So 401 Gremlins were rare but V-8 Gremlins were common.

[MatthewCallier]

I never knew about the 401-XR. Cool car.

[kenogster]

A friend of mine had a Gremlin Levi edition back in the late 70s. All Levi jeans material interior. Ah the memories.

[davidhoffman]

I loved the Gremlin and still do LOVE them!!!

[Chisos]

I never met one person who actually owned a Gremlin that did not love it. My first 1972 Grem had the bullet proof AMC 258 six, the great Chrysler 904 automatic, A/C and P/S. Got it off the showroom for around 1800.00. The absolute best buy for a young guy with a family at the time.

[oldguy]

Randall AMC in Mesa, AZ, did a few of these cars and was well known for high performance AMC engines and cars. If my memory is still any good, I seem to recall twenty something or so were built. Sadly, there's nothing left of the dealership these days, when I was there in Mesa years ago it was an empty lot.

[breakawaymotorsports]

My Dad loved Gremlins and owned 3. The last one was an X model with a 304 3speed manual and posi rear end. It was quick off the line but had no top end. Fun car.

[Grodd]

The AMC 390/401's were no joke. If I recall correctly both came with forged cranks from the factory. My father had a CJ 304 v8 2brl and it was fine for a little CJ. Family friend had one rebuilt with new manifold and headers and it woke the little 304 up. Later, I had purchased a complete death trap a CJ 5 with a 360. The guy I bought it off of was a mechanic who rebuilt engine with slightly higher compression pistons, stock heads but had head work done, the Edelbrock performer package (Cam, manifold and 4brl carb) electronic ignition and added headers. It flew for a Jeep and you actually had to "drive it" no looking over at passenger. CJ 5's were pretty short wheelbase that one was lifted with 33's which didn't help in handling department. That 360 had like double + the horsepower of a stock 304. I can only imagine a tuned up 390 or 401.
BTW the Gremlin and Pacer were about the ugliest cars ever. But today I'd love that Gremlin XR in the garage :)

[firebrand]

I had a ‘73 X with 304 V8 with 4.10 gears. That thing was lightning quick. A real sleeper.

[hipo]

70 AMX 390 is one of my bucket list cars

[anonymouskeys]

This is the power I wish my car had and that color is beautiful.
I didn't know that AMC had these and now I want it.

[culcune]

255 hp was net hp, so this was a good chunk of power for the time. The 1972 304 powered Gremlin X's were capable of in-the-8 second 0-60 mph times and in-the-16 second quarter mile times with 150 rated hp (again, net, not gross), so you know an extra 100 hp in the lightweight Gremlin was going to kick some asphalt.

[McRocket]

I knew nothing of this 401-XR version.
Thank you for this...VERY interesting.
☮

[michaelcerkez]

Outstanding, thanks for the history lesson. While I was alive and loving anything with wheels it's nice to hear of lesser known cars.

[RandyJM]

You can make whoopie in the back of one easier then most cars, which makes them cool

[Ari-pwnu]

I had a friend in high school who's dad had a Gremlin cloned out with a 401. Smoke show machine. They rarely drove it. It was a beauty, a show car.