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View Full Version : 1972 Gremlin 401 Transplant almost done.


69_Mean_Mopar
11-01-2017, 06:42 PM
I am getting close to finishing this little Gem. Installed the Control Geek front K member with coil overs and disc brakes. Had to do a lot of little modifying not a direct replacement but will be well worth it. Has to be a great improvement over the original front suspension . Cannot wait to drive it before the snow flies. Here are some statistics. Original low mile San Francisco area car. It was ordered as a plain jane 304 V8, auto with A/C. It is not a Gremlin "X". Light Green Metallic with Tan interior. Was all Stock and original. Now a custom show car. It has won the Detroit Autorama 2 times. Once in 2002 and in 2005 in it's class. A hard thing to win once let alone twice. Has a Booth and Aarons custom built 401. Custom built 904 Trans with a 8 inch converter. Custom built Dana 44 with all new axles and posi in it. 4.10 gear. Custom traction bars. Looks stock. This car hooked hard and straight. It went 11:60's. But drifted all over the place. Not no more when it gets finished. This car will be a riot once again but better. There is a ton of money in this little gem. Lots of NOS trim and parts . Original interior in great shape. Hope you guys like different cars like I do.

Crush
11-01-2017, 07:01 PM
That is cool. Growing up in Warren Mi a suburb of dtown and a few miles from GM tech center, there was one guy who was brave enough to race his Gremlin up against all the Chevelles, Camaros etc and it was cool and fast! I always remember that car, very unusual!

Zedder
11-01-2017, 07:15 PM
Neat! My friend’s Brother had one with Levi’s interior back in the 80’s...very cool little beast!

RST
11-02-2017, 05:24 AM
Awesome!! Love it :)

WILMASBOYL78
11-02-2017, 11:21 AM
Very cool...love the interior :beers:

markinnaples
11-02-2017, 01:53 PM
Neighbor had one bought new back in the 70's, and I appreciate doing something different. Cool little car.

earntaz
11-02-2017, 04:26 PM
I don't know if this is rumor or not -- but supposedly the designer of the Gremlin up there in Kenosha died before he completed the car. No one else knew what to do, so they just drew a line down the back of the drawing and sent it off to production ... Hmmm ... LoL -- TAZ :headbang:

69_Mean_Mopar
11-02-2017, 04:56 PM
I don't know if this is rumor or not -- but supposedly the designer of the Gremlin up there in Kenosha died before he completed the car. No one else knew what to do, so they just drew a line down the back of the drawing and sent it off to production ... Hmmm ... LoL -- TAZ :headbang:

I never heard that story. I can find out though. The Prototype Gremlin that was Dick Teague's and PPG did a lot to it and it was built in Feb.1970 Is in my Neighborhood and has been for years. It was Orange and had a 360 in it. Now a 401 also. The front turn signals were from a 1968 Plymouth Barracuda. Dick Teague thought those were the best ever designed turn signals and used them in different prototype designs. The Hdqtrs and design studio was by my house in Detroit.

69_Mean_Mopar
11-15-2017, 01:32 PM
Wow , Took it on it's first main voyage last night. Wow is this car sick and stupid fast. Handles awesome with the Control Geek Front Suspension. IT Goes straight . I never could give it more than half throttle. The Booth & Aarons 401 spins like some sick monster stroker motor,. The 904 hits good and hard. Holy Crap this car is sick and I love it.

big gear head
11-15-2017, 01:51 PM
Very nice. What does it weigh? Looks light.

Arrowsmith
11-15-2017, 03:17 PM
That's just good old fashioned Bad Ass! Bet it just melts those back skins. I love it!

69_Mean_Mopar
11-16-2017, 08:38 PM
This car weighed with the 304 V8 and a/c right around 2680. I would guess without the a/c and the original front suspension around 2400.

69_Mean_Mopar
11-16-2017, 08:39 PM
Should have brought it to MCACN

harry401
11-19-2017, 11:21 PM
Looks good. Maybe order up a Caltrac split leaf and bar setup with a 2" drop to get the back down a bit. I am running a Spirit AMX with that setup along with a 360/998 and Ford 9 combo and I can get 15x 10 wheels and drag radials inside the flares.