AMC Gremlin Randall 401-XR
source: Wikimedia
Okay, at first glance, the AMC Gremlin may not look stunning. Yes, it’s oddly shaped and boxy, with a strange Kammback rear end that doesn’t exactly pair well with its Euro sedan front end. It’s kind of nerdy, to be sure. But that matters not because the Gremlin is to AMC what the Foxbody would become to Ford: A go-fast, tiny package with a gigantic motor shoved underneath the bonnet. And once you start to dissect the Gremlin’s style and features, you begin to appreciate its allure. It’s less a tasty beer, more a fine wine. It takes time.
But what’s most stunning about the AMC Gremlin is its unique racing history. This little stink managed to set records, earn some serious marketing clout, compete with big names behind the wheels, and do some generally crazy record-setting at the track. One of the most stunning iterations of the AMC Gremlin is the Randall 401-XR.
Randall was not a person, but rather a dealership based in Mesa, Arizona. The folks over at Randall must have felt frisky about the Gremlin, because they requested a couple of the monsters from AMC with a special purchase order. That order would include Gremlins equipped with 401 engines. Randall took a base 304-equipped Gremlin (which had beefed up suspension and bigger brakes) and swapped out the smaller motor for a monster. The AMC 401 made plenty of power, to the tune of around 385 horses and just shy of 400 torques.
source: Wikimedia
Adding to that performance were included headers, a twin grip rear, a handling package, a cam kit, a high-rise manifold for more air, and a carburetor of the buyer’s choice. The result was a car that Randall claimed would make 13.90 at the track while trapping up to 106 mph. Keep in mind this was just for the base model. Buyers who optioned all the goodies listed above could make a mind-boggling 12.30 at 117 mph. In case you were wondering, that makes the Randall 401-XR one of the fastest cars on this by production numbers and available factory equipment, all for a starting price of just $2,995.
The Gremlin may not have the same swooping curves of a Boss Mustang, nor does it boast the muscular physique of a Charger. But it does carry with it a unique design that, once digested and appreciated for its performance relative to its size, is truly stunning in its own way. Oh, and lest we forget the 401-XR represents the greatest power-to-price ratio on this list. That alone is stunning, considering the Randall’s stacked up against Hemi motors and Cobra Jets. Like its looks or not, it earns a spot on our list.
