Like other AMC cars (see the Pacer) the Gremlin can be seen as either a daring leap forward by an innovative underdog or as a desperate attempt to do something - anything - that would stand out in a marketplace dominated by larger competitors.
Despite its odd looks - and despite being named for a mythical creature said to cause mechanical problems - the Gremlin actually sold fairly well for an AMC model. A total of about 675,000 were produced.
Despite its size, very small by the standards of the day, the Gremlin offered decent performance compared to its 1970s competitors. (Not that that's saying much.) Unlike competing compact cars, the Gremlin was even available with a V-8 engine.
