Classic flames on a black body. Is there any other custom paint scheme more classic than that? Whether you reference “The California Kid” or one of the belly tankers out at Bonneville in the 1950s, flame paint jobs have had the enduring effect longer than most other custom paint jobs. Done right, even in today’s modern standards a good flame job sets a car off like nothing else will. Note: a good flame job. The licks have to be just right, the colors dead-on. That isn’t something that comes easily. I’ll let you determine what works and what doesn’t for a flame job, but make no mistake it’s the first thing you will notice about this 1972 AMC Gremlin X.

The Gremlin X was a doctored up sport appearance package for the hatchet-attacked Hornet clone. For 1972, a 150 horsepower 304 cubic inch V8 got jammed under the Gremlin’s hood, turning AMC’s styling exercise into a competent enough performer. It wasn’t a complete giant killer, but with the right driver on a good night, the V8-powered Gremlin could surprise more than a couple of cars. Play with the engine a bit to wake it up and you’d have a hot little ride that actually had decent aerodynamic properties and was small enough to be useful around town. The styling isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but that was pretty much the American Motors way. 

You could throw the bank account under the hood and go racing, but why? You could pay out the nose so that this thing carves corners like a C6 Corvette, but again, why? This flamed Gremmie is the perfect car to leave alone and just drive, don’t you think? Get in, go rolling down to a local show and park for a bit. Find a quiet stretch of road on the way home and open her up just a bit. Enjoy it. Only a handful of Gremlins are worth putting up and treating like pureblood royalty. This was an econobox with a hot mill from the factory. Enjoy it like you are supposed to.

eBay Link: 1972 American Motors Gremlin X