The 1970 Hornet, which replaced the seriously outdated Rambler American, was a fairly unremarkable car but proved to be one of the most important in AMC’s history. Luckily for AMC the Hornet’s pleasantly contemporary styling held up well over the years, because its chassis and sheet metal served as the basis for most of the company’s output over the next 18 years: the Gremlin, Concord, Spirit, and Eagle 4WD cars all sprang from the Hornet’s loins.Taking its name from a legendary Hudson model of the 50s, the Hornet debuted in 2- and 4-door sedan versions on a 108-inch wheelbase. The most collectible Hornet is the 1971 SC/360, which could be had with some fairly serious performance equipment. Only 784 were made.
AMC wagons were always popular, and the Sportabout was no exception, accounting for a large percentage of Hornet sales. Introduced for the 1971 model year, the basic body style survived until the 1988 season as a Concord and then as an Eagle model. An attractive “Gucci” package, introduced in 1972, was among the first of many designer models offered by U.S. automakers.
The Hornet line expanded again in 1973, when the attractive hatchback model appeared. To anyone out there who doesn’t believe AMCs can be fast: check out Thomas Grandmaison’s Hornet Hatchback (pictured at right). Thomas writes: I found the car in a warehouse in 1988. The guy bought it brand new and put it in storage planning to race it. It had only 4 miles on it. The car has ladder bars and coil over shocks for rear suspension and stock front suspension. Engine is 380 c.i., based on the 4 bolt T/A block and a destroked 390 crank. Ross 13-1 pistons, ported heads, Donovan valves, Comp Cams roller cam, Manley rods, Edelbrock torker intake, and Holley 1150 dominator carb. Transmission is by ProTrans, and convertor by A-1. Rear end is 9″ Ford with Lenco spool and 5.14 gears. It took a long time to build it, but it sure is fun driving it! The car always attracts a crowd — nobody can believe it is AMC powered.
On April 1, 1970, American Motors introduced the first American sub-compact, the Gremlin. It was basically a Hornet with most of the back end lopped off, riding on a 96-inch wheelbase. The Gremlin was much heavier than other companies’ small cars and thus less economical, but its solidity, conventional drivetrain, relatively beefy engines (up to a 304 V-8), and interesting styling endeared it to many buyers, particularly as a delivery vehicle. During the mid-70s gas crisis, AMC touted the combination of Gremlin’s huge gas tank and respectable gas mileage, which gave it the longest driving range of any car on the market. Total Gremlin production (1970-78) exceeded 700,000 units, making it AMC’s most popular single model.
For 1977 the Gremlin received its first significant styling changes, including a shorter front end that reduced overhang by four inches and a larger, all-glass rear liftgate. The popular Gremlin X package (shown), which had been available since the 1971 model year, featured a particularly attractive stripe treatment in 1977. Also new in mid-year 1977 was a four-cylinder engine option (acquired from Volkswagen). In 1978, Gremlin’s last year, a “GT” package was offered, including full wheel flares and a front air dam. The GT is rare and very collectible.