1971 American Motors AMC Gremlin in Snow White Paint & Start Up on My Car Story with Lou Costabile

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On "My Car Story" we're at the American Motors Owners Association International Convention in Rockford IL on 7-30-16.
We're looking at a 1971 American Motors Corporation AMC Gremlin in Snow White Paint with a 6 cylinder 258 CI engine.
The car’s Owners are Ian & Holly Webb. Ian is the President of the American Motors Owners Association. So what does the President drive? A Gremlin.
Don’t be fooled…this Gremlin is in immaculate condition. The car has won Best of Show and is now being judged as 1 of the Top 3 Cars Internationally hoping to receiving the Top Award at this show.
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[@69javman]

I really admire when people restore 'basic' cars. It costs about the same to do as a more collectible, performance car but without any real promise of financial return. It makes the hobby so much more well-rounded. Not every car at a show needs to be high-performance or exotic to be interesting. Big thumbs-up !!!

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for viewing and sharing a comment, and you're right, It is fun when you find one like this :-)

[@klwthe3rd]

I admire you for your statement. I get so sad that it seems that so many people just restore cars for their return investment. When I go to car shows, I always flock to the orphan cars of AMC because they were different. I don't want to be a sheep that follows. And an AMC owner will never be a sheep! Love your comment.

[@nickdoneilo1551]

I agree completely! I am the second owner of an all original '73 Ambassador. I bought it from a lady who was 102 when she passed away and drove it well into her 90's. I love that thing. I'm debating whether I want to do a mild restoration (barely needs it, but it would be a lot nicer if some things were redone) or just leave it alone. I'm leaning towards just leaving it alone since it is for all intents and purposes all there.

[@joaofernandesdossantos7738]

I love AMC Gremlins!

[@loucostabile]

Very nice :-) Did you see this one? Enjoy! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGbdiKWJjdOLrsk

[@yopacific]

my dad had a yellow 74 Gremlin, 258CI and 3 spd manual. I loved everything about the car as a kid. Such nice memories.....

[@loucostabile]

Thanks for sharing your memories and story, Lou

[@seanmcgivney7631]

Thank Lou! I really love your videos. We had a couple of AMC car when I was a child. They got no respect from my family, but I thought they were great. They would always start and go when other cars we had would often fail. I miss them.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Sean, Starting and getting you where you gotta be is a BIG part of cars :-) If you had AMC's a loved them, that is cool with me :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome, Lou

[@fleetwin1]

Well, it surely is a beautiful restoration job, and they sure are proud owners!

[@willsco76]

You don't have to spend a fortune on a car to have fun.

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you appreciate the build of this car :-)

[@goodluck458]

I'm getting my 1970 Gremlin today...It be a junk pile but I love it...i'm so happy i'd be jumpin up and down rite now but I got a bad knee...

[@loucostabile]

Easy on that knee :-( Congratulations on your car! :-)

[@martentrudeau6948]

The 71 Gremlim looks like new, with a 253 straight 6 and 150 HP, what a joy to see. The Webb's are a lovely couple and it's mandatory for Gremlin owners to have a sense of humor, because nothing looks like a Gremlin. It's a beautiful car and with all that HP it must to fun to drive. Thanks Lou.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Marten, Glad you enjoy this fun Gremlin :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@SteveASuper]

Beautiful car. Great couple.

[@loucostabile]

Well said :-)

[@RetroCat969]

I'm drooling over this car

[@loucostabile]

Glad you enjoy this car Retro Cat Baker873 :-) Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you'll enjoy, Lou

[@RTS222]

AMC interiors were very competitive with the Big 3, and this Gremlin is trimmed out quite nicely for an entry level car. Love those little gremlins placed inside and out. Lou, you have to find a Matador Barcelona - opulence overload from Kenosha!

[@loucostabile]

I'm hoping I'll find a Matador X with the 401, we'll see if I run into one. Lou

[@scottbrady7499]

Now it really belongs displayed in a collection somewhere, where more people can really appreciate the remarkable preservation for posterity. Incredible.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Scott Brady, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@thetrainkingmustachio]

I love amc gremlins.

[@loucostabile]

Hi TheBoeingBoy747, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@michaelr4063]

Nice, nice, nice.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Michael R, :-) Lou

[@terryweiner9738]

A spectacular restoration of a Gremlin! Very well presented.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Terry, Thank you for viewing and commenting, Lou

[@RetroGaming-gp2ef]

My grandfather had that same model gremlin

[@loucostabile]

Hi Retro Gaming 1981, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Grandfathers car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@davidtroxell837]

Love this interview (everyone) thanks Lou.

[@loucostabile]

Hi David, Happy to read you enjoy this interview. Thought you might like this one too, Lou kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGbdiKWJjdOLrsk

[@loucostabile]

Let me give you one more fun one too :-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2GpapijhJWdrpI

[@UnlicensedOkie]

That is a museum piece

[@loucostabile]

Hi UnlicensedOkie, Happy to read you appreciate this "museum piece" car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@UnlicensedOkie]

@@loucostabile definitely will Love these classic cars

[@artheis1342]

18 yrs old and my first new car. 2100 dollars out of the door. Yellow with black stripe and green interior. six cylinder stick shift and nothing else

[@loucostabile]

Hi Arthr hslr, Happy to read this car / video brings back memories of your 1st new car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@mariamajor8650]

This car looks exactly like Grem from Cars 2

[@loucostabile]

Hi Maria, Thank you for sharing :-) Lou

[@masterskrain]

That Gremmie is IDENTICAL to the one I owned in the early 70s! Same color, same trim, same seats...everything!

[@loucostabile]

It's fun when you find a car like the one you used to have. Thanks for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@ricklewis398]

I

[@coolbreeze5561]

Sweet ride love that car

[@loucostabile]

Hi Coolbreeze, Happy to read "Sweet ride love that car" :-) Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@1977jed]

Owning 13 AMC Pacers, all but two have this engine....They have a great sound! and super reliable!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jay Delancey, 13...WOW, Cleary a "Fan of the Brand" :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou

[@KC9UDX]

I've had licence plate AMC258 on my Eagle since 2002. Wish I could have just one Pacer. Also wish I had time to fix my Kammback. Though I'm on the fence about whether I should put a 258 or a 150 in that. The 151 is going away either way.

[@loucostabile]

Do you know which engine came with the car?

[@KC9UDX]

Lou Costabile 88 Eagle came with 258. 81 Eagle Kammback came with 151. It's all original with less than 100,000mi, don't remember exactly how many, 70,000 maybe.

[@loucostabile]

I'd go with the original engine.

[@michaelpalm2210]

Gremlin was 1st compact american car built to compete with datsuns and toyotas. Also 1st to have a bumper to bumper warranty for 12 months/12k miles. An "economy car" that actually lasted a long time. not too shabby AMC

[@loucostabile]

Hi Michael, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@Kuviasuktok]

Oh man, I can't believe I came across this video. I had the same colour but with the 258. I bought the car used in 1973 for $1,600 and drove it for 9 years when it got totaled by a guy coming through a red light. I added red paint around the recess in the back by the gas cap and also on the top of the fenders, plus wider rear tires. A guy I knew had one with a 360 in it. Thanks for sharing from Newfoundland, Canada.

[@Kuviasuktok]

Oops, I added the comment before you opened the hood. And, I got $500 for the car on the write off!

[@loucostabile]

Hello Friends up North! So glad this video brings back memories for you. Thank you for sharing your story, Lou

[@edwardbenkert2618]

What a beautiful car

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-)

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

This car appears in Homestar Runner, with its main apparence in the Strong Bad Email "Road Trip".

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jason, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@mikecalabrese1428]

Great video. I had a 72 Gremlin. It ran well for about 3 years. Then it self destructed. I noticed the the Interstate battery was not original. I think that mine came with an AMC battery.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Mike Calabrese, Thank you for the kind words on this video :-) Happy to read your 72 Gremlin story until it self destructed :-( Lou

[@mikecalabrese1428]

@@loucostabile Not much to my story. It was my first new vehicle, paid $2,300.00 for it new, it had a 232 6 banger and a 3 speed tranny. It got decent gas mileage and, since it had a 30 gallon gas tank, it got me through the gas shortages of the early '70's. However, someone sat on the hook and dented it, the clutch linkage went out in 3 years, the valve cover gasket leaked oil and more. I traded it in for a new 1975 BMW 2002.

[@loucostabile]

First new vehicle is memorable :-) Good gas mileage too.

[@jeffreycruz4236]

Omg I woke up to 6 new videos. This is my drug lol.

[@loucostabile]

Big show yesterday for American Motors Company Cars, there Annual International Show, so you video as the opportunity arises. I strategically pick cars I hope Viewers enjoy, so I hope you see some (or all) you like, Lou

[@AndrewGraham07]

Thrilled to see the gas cap gets a mention so early in the video ! The abbreviated body style is unusual and the interior on this poverty spec. model looks great for 1971. Thanks for making a film about a car I previously knew nothing about.

[@loucostabile]

Andrew Graham, "Thrilled to see the gas cap get a mention so early in the video!" You have me rolling in laughter :-) :-) :-) :-) Lou

[@AndrewGraham07]

Long weekend here in Germany. I'll sign off for a few days. Have a good one, Lou. Cheers ! Andrew

[@loucostabile]

Good to know when you're relaxing, your on the Channel and enjoying. Cheers Andrew! Hurry back soon! Lou

[@theanvil5288]

In 1971, my dad bought two Gremlins at the same time from the same dealership. It seems strange now but the local newspaper wrote an article about it. Even though the same model year, each drove and rode differently. Like most cars made during that time, it was unsafe -- bad steering, tires and braking. Auto engineering has come a long ways. I still have the original gas cap, wheel caps and Gremlin badging. It's wall art for my workshop.

[@loucostabile]

Hi The Anvil52, Thank you for sharing details on your Dad's cars, and adding to the story, Lou

[@theanvil5288]

Lou Costabile You're welcome. Your Gremlin video brought back many fond memories.

[@alejandroalvarez9912]

Hermoso auto!

[@loucostabile]

Nice :-)

[@SDC509BowmanDeal]

I had a brown 1971 Gremlin - 254 cu in 6 with three on the floor. Best car I ever owned. I regret selling it.

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for sharing your experience with this car :-)

[@fredmarquez7599]

my dad had the orange x model, it's was a great and quick car

[@loucostabile]

Sounds like some wonderful memories in your X model :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing Fred Marquez, Lou

[@ajchannel666]

hey lou, thanks for taking my friend and I for a ride in your viper today. great car and great channel!

[@loucostabile]

I believe a car can be fun and an I enjoy the opportunity to share them . It's my pleasure. Make sure you say hello when you see me at car shows. Enjoy the videos of the cars and Owners stories, Lou

[@klwthe3rd]

Lou Costabile pretty stand up guy Lou to take your fan for a ride in your personal car. Your videos are a true reflection of your stellar character.

[@chemxfan]

There's an AM club? In Illinois? How did I NOT know that? Growing up in the '70's, one of the neighbors in my apartment bldg. had a orange Hornet of that vintage - it was parked where I could see it, & maybe I've got a picture of it somewhere. When I was that kid, I tried to take pictures of any car that caught my eye - if I had a camera w/me. I'm going to be watching a lot of your earlier videos, Lou - so thanks in advance!

[@loucostabile]

HI chemxfam, Great story and memories :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Glad to read you'll be enjoying other videos on the Channel too, Lou

[@MrGeeMan1980]

I knew a lady who had one and it sported a bumper sticker that read "Thanks For Not Laughing At This Car." I did not laugh because when I rode in it I came to the realization that riding sure beats walking.

[@loucostabile]

Yes, Riding sure beats walking :-) That's true, Lou

[@hudsonhawk0016]

That car Is clean !

[@loucostabile]

Agreed.

[@hudsonhawk0016]

@@loucostabile Now my OCD is kicking in and I'm looking for Gremlins. Lol

[@williamcouch9124]

Had a '73 with the 304, 2brl.. 3 spd manual, buckets,,, fawn beige cinnamon int..

[@loucostabile]

Hi Wiliam, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@williamcouch2948]

@@loucostabile IT still talks to me.

[@tuanh_duong]

You earned a subscriber! :) AWESOME channel you have! I LOVE these beauties! Wish I was living back in that era!

[@loucostabile]

So glad your a Subscriber! I love them too. Enjoy, Lou

[@johnhiram1207]

Amazing car! Several friends had Gremlins and they were super strong running cars. Must be lowest miles Gremlin around.

[@loucostabile]

Hi John, Glad this car reminded you of the times with your friends. Thanks for viewing and commenting, Lou

[@actiniumanarchy9237]

Of course the presidents car wins in the show. Lol

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@mikeallmon1]

my sisters 71 Gremlin had no back seat and back window didn't open. it was a res bucket as we lived in illinois!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Mike Allmon, Sounds like special memories of that car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing details of your Sisters car, Lou

[@trayday1129]

sounds good!

[@loucostabile]

Glad you enjoy the sound of this one Tray Day :-) Hope you see many more cars on the Channel you'll enjoy, Lou

[@bitznpizez]

Such a great Car 😃👍

[@loucostabile]

Agreed :-) So glad to you enjoyed this car, Lou

[@spectre2025]

bit of a valve tap , no ?

[@LynxStarAuto]

spectre2025 might need an adjustment. Might have a bum lifter.

[@loucostabile]

I'm not hearing anything.

[@pl5624]

Or a manifold leak.

[@classic287]

I had a brand new yellow with black stripe 71 Gremlin. It was automatic with 232 six. It had a back seat (not all did), a radio, a glove box door and 14 inch tires and a sunroof. I payed $2050 for it. Had it for 12 years. Finally had to have back window welded shut because the hinges came loose. Nothing else was wrong with it when I sold it...

[@loucostabile]

Thanks for sharing your story, and sounds like good memories, Lou

[@classic287]

The first Gremlin I ever saw was same color scheme as yours...

[@loucostabile]

Cool!

[@classic287]

Cool on steroids, LOL....

[@rockville34]

Nice job. I had a 1971 metallic blue (B-6) AMC Gremlin with a 232 cu engine.

[@loucostabile]

Hi rockville34, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@Bill23799]

" Hey Toots..........where's da rest of ya car? "

[@loucostabile]

This is the whole thing right here Billy Boy :-)

[@BENDER...]

классная тачила !👍

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for viewing & sharing.

[@pdgray3]

Nice car Lou.

[@loucostabile]

It's so amazingly clean. Glad you enjoyed this one, it was a fun video to do. Thank you for viewing and commenting, Lou

[@LynxStarAuto]

Very chipper couple here. I presume they are happy parents by now. Perfect vehicle for this fine couple if you ask me.

[@loucostabile]

They are happy parents indeed :-)

[@francismortenson1955]

Lou very nice car year all your cars you come across great car on the gremlin though I don't like Gremlins didn't like him then don't like him now and it has a collapsed lifter and you can hear it ticken

[@loucostabile]

Hi Francis Mortenson, Happy you're having fun with me on the Channel. Clearly this one is not for you :-( Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you'll enjoy :-) Lou

[@michaelpalm2210]

258 same motor AMC put in Jeeps and those were tough bulletproof engines,

[@teller121]

I don't understand two things: 1) how can the car only have 162 miles on it? That doesn't sound like enough to keep it going. 2) given how unused it is, why did he need to replace a huge number of parts, as he said he did.

[@loucostabile]

Hi teller121, 1) Rebuilt motor & 2) Rebuilt car

[@nickcoope5952]

lovely car,informative. do all those engines have that ticking?

[@781josh]

No, it's either a bad lifter, OR it wasn't running long enough to pump the lifter up with oil. AMC 6 cylinders are notorious for lifters collapsing. Kind of surprising for an immaculately restored car.

[@KC9UDX]

With so few miles, I suspect (hope not though) that the cam and lifters did not break in properly, and one of the lifters has worn through. I if so, the rest will soon follow. This is what happens when you try to break in a flat tappet cam with modern oil.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Nick, Hmmm, I wasn't hearing that. We'll have to look into that, Lou

[@danr4197]

Love the car and that was a great engine but you need to adjust the lifters or they need to be replaced.

[@loucostabile]

Glad you "love the car" dan r :-) Thank you for your tip too, Lou

[@danr4197]

No problem, I LOVE AMC and wish they were still in business. The Eagle is my favorite car of all times. The Venerable 258 is a SUPER and VERY Reliable engine best when AMC still made them. The AMC Spirit witch was the predecessor to the Gremlin used Pontiac's 'Iron Duke" 2.5 liter 4 cylinder engine. The used Chrysler's 727 torque flight transmission witch was among the best in the industry at the time. I mention this car because (2 wheel drive version of AWSEOME Eagle SX4) is basically the United States Postal Service's LLV's. LLV stand for "long life vehicle" and is the very familiar white mail truck you see every day. The are still on the road after over 20 years. The use the "Iron Duke" engine and old, simple, and reliable torque flight 3 speed transmission witch had a lock up torque converter witch was invented by Saab. Anyway I could talk about cars forever. I guess some of the 258 inline sixes had bad oil flow to the valve line. It could just be ware but the lifters did sound really loud. I can;t remember everything but I think the engine in your Gremlin has solid lifters. You may just need to adjust the tappets. I would look into it though, the car looks so clean and awesome and the engine will sound so much better!

[@sporty1701]

If you spend a little time searching, you can easily find lots of automotive "lists" on the web. One of my favorites is the the top 20 (sometimes 10) worst cars of all time. For reasons I can't understand, the AMC Gremlin always makes these lists.The reasons given (for making the list) are always the same: The Gremlin was very ugly, it was cheaply built, it was too small and (almost forgot) it was REALLY ugly. My guess is many of the folks making these lists are not really "car" people. The fact is the Gremlin was a remarkably successful vehicle and AMC made some serious cash selling these "ugly" little cars. While they sold for almost exactly the same price as a Pinto or Vega, the Gremlin was superior to both the Ford and Chevy. Gremlins were powered by very strong 7 main bearing six cylinder engines...Pintos and Vegas had tiny little fours. At 50,000 miles, the Vega's engine was worn out and the body was usually badly rusted. While Pintos didn't rust, enough of them exploded (when hit from behind) to get the attention of the Feds. The true measure of the three cars is this: there are still a good number of Gremlins around. Yes, they're usually pretty beat up, but they're still running. Honestly, when was the last time you saw a Pinto, never mind a Vega? Agreed, Gremlins are ugly...but that's part of their appeal. Last time I checked, VW's "Beetle" was ugly and one of the most beloved cars of all time. Gremlins will never be in the same league as VW Beetles, but any genuine car "nut" knows they were a well made and durable little car. And every Gremlin came with a priceless standard feature, tons of personality...something no other American made economy car (of that era) offered. I rest my case.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Strange Daze, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@rogermetzger7335]

My '72 Hornet had the 258 and I didn't think of that as slow. What is the 0-60 time of the Gremlin with the 258?

[@loucostabile]

Hi Roger, Hmmm, not sure what the 0-60 time would be. Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@garbage854]

cool :)

[@loucostabile]

Glad you like it, Lou

[@garbage854]

Yeah, I used to see a Baby Blue one here in Asheville in 2004-5 Have not seen it in a while .

[@jameshickerson528]

if you dont know much about these, the engine had left over parts from ford and gm and they realy were a decent car

[@loucostabile]

H James, Thanks for sharing, Lou

[@oilsmokejones3452]

Another great car vid but your mic must have a peak or every engine you feature sounds like crap under the hood..???

[@loucostabile]

Hi Oilsmoke Jones, Glad you enjoy the car, however that might be the way this one sounds :-) Lou

[@michaelatkins9780]

Exhaust leak.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Michael, We'll have to take a look at that, Lou

[@tjsnyder730]

El presidente

[@loucostabile]

Si