Classic Car Histories
AMC Gremlin
On a trip in 1968, the late Richard Teague was drawing on the back of a Northwest Orient air sickness bag. The result was far from garbage, as this was the beginning of the AMC Gremlin.
Although this was far from the great muscle cars that were being produced at the time, like the Ford Mustang, the Chevy Nova, the Dodge Charger and Plymouth Cudas. The AMC was introduced to compete with the Ford Pinto and Chevy Vega in the U.S. subcompact car market.
The Gremlin was introduced in 1970 with two basic models, a two and a four seater. The major advantage of the Gremlin compared to the competitor was its powertrain. The first Gremlins came with 128 and 145 HP engines that had gained a reputation for durability and economy since their introduction in 1964.
With its weight being less than the other subcompacts, the more powerful engines gave the Gremlin a lead in the sportiness of the group of cars. The were clocked at a top speed of 100 MPH and could go from zero to 60 MPH in 11.9 seconds. You can see now why these cars are loved by the ones that have owned them.
The Gremlin was made until its final year of 1978 and was considered a successful run as it sold a total of 671,475 of the cars with 1974 being the best year with a volume of 171,128 produced.
From a collectors standpoint, the Gremlin offers an affordable and fun vehicle to start a collection with. Gremlins with the “X” package, the V-8 engine or the Levi’s interior are definitely the more wanted versions, but any Gremlin that is in great shape is a great place to start.
El Camino
Chevrolet has been known to be one of the trusted names when it comes to utility and luxury vehicles. The production of the Chevrolet El Camino is one of them. “The road” in Spanish, El Camino proves to be the best thing you can ever have when you’re thinking of traveling cross country or you are simply looking for a very durable car that can last for a very long time.
Chevrolet El Camino had its first market appearance in the United States around 1959 and 1960. Through the years, the car has been in lots of revisions and adaptations for the demand of time until its 1987 version. It was designed originally to be a coupe car with the luxury and comforts in car, and a utility, space, and power of the truck which makes it half-car and half truck. For this reason, a rivalry has been found for Ford’s Ranchero which is also at the same league with. Chevrolet El Camino. A wide variety of versions has been made since its inceptions. These versions includes: Black Knight, Super Sport, Conquista, and the standard El Camino. One can also find some similarities of this in General Motor’s Sprint and Caballero.
Chevrolet El Camino All These Years Later: In 1959, Chevrolet debuted its first version of El Camino. It was specially designed to be a station wagon with two doors and a drive train and trim level. Eve with its good qualities and elegant design, Chevrolet El Camino was not faring well in the market compared to Ranchero which is very successful at that time. It was this that Chevrolet has been dismayed by its first generation.
But then, just like any product, it achieved its peak during 1967 when new features were introduced. These include the disc brakes as well as the 3-speed transmission control of the vehicle. It also possessed a steering column, which you can collapse at your own convenient. It also included both manual and automatic transmission, which have their own advantages and disadvantages.
The adoption of some Federal Regulations in 1971 prompted Chevrolet El Camino to change some of its features. One of this is the diesel usage. The new law required all manufacturers to utilize unleaded diesel because of some environmental concerns associated with it. This has been a major change for Chevrolet for its model. Other thing is also the ridding of two headlights and replaced of one. Grilles were also added which is not the case in other models.
Perhaps, one might like to get a Chevrolet El Camino but his budget would not permit. Instead, getting an affordable key chain can be the best alternative thing to do. The key chains come in a different variety.
The most fascinating thing and become a best-seller of these keychains are those in the leather straps and chrome finish. These are very fashionable and at the same time very durable. With the official logo of Chevy, one can always associate the qualities of a Chevrolet on in. For additional customization, one can have his name on it also. It is also good for gifts and presents as long as its design perfectly fits to the one given.
When getting Chevrolet El Camino, it would be best to only buy the genuine one. In this way, one can always have the warranty when buying the authentic one. Other adding fact of getting the authentic one only is the absence of its flaws which is very abundant in some imitations.