In the late ’60s and into the early 1970s AMC took on Detroit with sedans, wagons, and muscle cars, and the outfit even had an answer for the influx of compact, affordable imports: the Gremlin.

rally wheels, and a blacked-out grille distinguishing it from the standard models. The following year, the Gremlin gained some grunt to match its sporty looks – AMC squeezed a massive 304 V8 ...