Several classic cars are arguably great but somehow have a bad reputation. One such car is the Gremlin from AMC. The AMC Gremlin debuted on the market in 1970 and lasted until 1978. This subcompact vehicle caused quite the stir, but for many of the wrong reasons. Dubbed the first “American Import,” people hated the now classic for its funky look, and most consumers perceived it to be of lesser quality than most of its competitors. Truthfully, it may not have been the best, but it was much better than most people gave it credit for.

Nowadays, the car’s reputation has shifted. No, it’s still not one of those classics people love for its quality, but people now realize that the car’s look was simply a bit too unorthodox for the times. We see it as a quintessential '70s car now, but many people took themselves too seriously to give something like the AMC Gremlin a chance when it was on the market. It’s a quirky little two-door ride that people now consider a novelty and are willing to pay a pretty penny for.

The AMC Gremlin is one of the most underrated American cars. People mocked it, considered it a “hippy” car, and, unfortunately, the quality wasn't always the highest. However, recent years have shown that the vehicle is nowhere near as bad as prior generations once thought. Largely, the negative reputation came from people who simply weren’t ready to accept the Gremlin as a part of American culture.

The 1970 AMC Gremlin’s Engine Is Solid

The AMC Gremlin lasted for eight years on the car market, which is a good run despite its less-than-stellar reputation.

Beginning in 1970, the AMC Gremlin has a 3.3-liter V6 engine under its hood. The car has a maximum output of 127 horsepower at 4400 rpm and a torque of 182 lb-ft at 1600 rpm. A three-speed manual transmission delivers the power to the rear wheels of the AMC Gremlin. The car has a compression ratio of 8.5:1.

Regarding performance, the AMC Gremlin wasn't one of the fastest rides on the market, which may be one of the reasons it has such a negative reputation. The 1970 AMC Gremlin accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 15.3-seconds. It has a top speed of 95 miles per hour. While not necessarily a fast car, the Gremlin was among the quickest subcompact cars of its time. Though the engine used in the AMC Gremlin changed over the years, the performance largely remained the same until the end of its run.

The AMC Gremlin Has A Compact Interior

As was common in the 1970s, the interior of the AMC Gremlin is incredibly simple. However, the seating and upholstery added a degree of elegance to the vehicle that really brought it together. It includes a relatively large steering wheel, which is another common trait of cars from this time. There is also a reasonably straightforward instrument cluster behind the wheel. For storage, the vehicle has a standard-size glove compartment. Though not standard, the AMC Gremlin came with an optional AC package, which included, besides the obvious, power steering, tinted glass, and extra insulation.

The automaker also offered a package for the Gremlin that had an AM push-button radio.

Some of the other standard features for the AMC Gremlin were rubber floor mats, a trunk mat, a heater/defroster, and more. It may not have the most luxurious interior for a 1970s car, but the cabin of the Gremlin offers more than enough style for its original price point. This interior style is one of the reasons the car deserves more respect.

The AMC Gremlin's Price Today

One piece of proof that the AMC Gremlin deserves more respect is that the price has soared in recent years. It may not be as expensive as some cars, but this subcompact is worth a good amount of money. According to the auction site Classic, the AMC Gremlin goes for an average price of $17,207. The site has sold 27 AMC Gremlins, with the lowest sale price being $2,750 and the highest being $32,450. Potential buyers should note that the AMC Gremlin is a pretty rare ride, which is one of the reasons for its impressive price tag on the used car market.

AMC never became a top automaker because it didn’t have the same level of funding as many of its competitors. This lack of funding meant cars like the Gremlin had some quality issues due to the automaker outsourcing parts. Despite this, the AMC Gremlin was never as bad as some have stated. It’s a car with a great deal of character that, over time, became an automotive icon. It may not be the most exciting small vehicle from the 1970s, but it’s pretty sought-after today, proving that not all great cars are successful while on the market.