American Motors' Sawed-Off Models

A while ago I wrote a post titled "General Motors' Chopped-Off 1978s."  It had to do with the need to downsize cars for better fuel economy following the 1973 oil crisis.  The subject was new-design cars having what looked like reduced rear overhang from what might have been longer design proposals.

But a few years earlier American Motors marketed two models that were actual shortened versions of larger cars.  This was a comparatively inexpensive way of expanding its product line.

The first was the 1968 AMX, a two-seat version of its new '68 Javelin, a sporty car influenced by the success of Ford's Mustang.

In the Spring of 1970 AMC introduced the Gremlin, that looked like a (literally) sawed-off version of its 1970 Hornet that appeared in 1969.

The AMX had modest sales, its two seats making it a specialized version of what was essentially a niche product.  It since has become something of a cult car.  The Gremlin sold surprisingly well.  More than 670,000 were made during its nine model-year run.

Gallery

The top (Barrett-Jackson) photo is of a 1968 AMX, the lower is a "for sale" photo of a '68 Javelin.  The cars are basically the same from the B-pillars forward, and the AMX appears to share some aft-end sheet metal with the Javelin.  I plan to write more about these cars in a later post.  As for dimensions, their respective wheelbases are 97 in. (2464 mm) and 109 in. (2769 mm).  Lengths are 177 in. (4491 mm) and 189.2 in. (4806 mm).  About an English foot difference in both cases.

The upper photo (unknown source) is of a 1971 Gremlin, the lower image is of a 1972 Hornet two-door (there also was a four-door version).  Again, the design surgery was at the B-pillar.  But abaft of there, the Gremlin has unique styling.  Dimensions are: respective wheelbases 96 in. (2438 mm), 108in. (2743 mm); lengths 161.3 in. (4097 mm), 179.3 in. (4554 mm).  In English units, the Gremlin wheelbase is one foot shorter and its length a foot and a half so.