IMSA Gremlin
Printed From: TheAMCForum.com
Category: Competition
Forum Name: Autocross, circle track
Forum Description: Ralleys, autocross, non-drag racing events and conversations
URL: https://theamcforum.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=25921
Printed Date: Apr/23/2024 at 6:19am
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Topic: IMSA Gremlin
Posted By: Javelin_GT
Subject: IMSA Gremlin
Date Posted: Jan/16/2011 at 2:55pm
I almost bought this over 6 years ago and I found it again this week. Looks like I am buying it this time.
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Replies:
Posted By: Ohio AMX
Date Posted: Jan/16/2011 at 3:40pm
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Any history? ------------- 1940 Hupmobile Skylark 1968 Javelin future Pro Street 1969 AMX 290/auto (first car) 1997 Dodge SS/T 5.9L AMO# 983 |
Posted By: Javelin_GT
Date Posted: Jan/16/2011 at 3:43pm
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It was in independent that probably ran 12-15 IMSA RS races from 74-82. There may have been more but I am still getting the history on it. Don Knowles drove it for a few years and then a guy name George Beasely drove it for several more.
THB did not build it but have done work on it.
The car and all the spares cost me 1k.
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Posted By: fast401
Date Posted: Jan/16/2011 at 7:24pm
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I'll give 2K. Just kidding, looks like a great deal to me. ------------- Disturbing the peace since 1970!!! AMX 19245 Facebook page - AMC Nation www.fast-401.4t.com |
Posted By: Hurst390
Date Posted: Jan/17/2011 at 9:19am
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good buy! that looks like somerthing you could have some fun with! ------------- SC/Hurst Rambler 11.62 120 100% Street Legal |
Posted By: purple72Gremlin
Date Posted: Jan/17/2011 at 9:22am
| Neat car. |
Posted By: amcrules00
Date Posted: Jan/17/2011 at 10:08am
| So, what's up? Goin' racing with it? |
Posted By: Amc Hot Rod
Date Posted: Jan/17/2011 at 3:10pm
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Nice car. Looks like a fun toy. ------------- 1973 Hornet 390 4 speed 1973 Jeep Commando 401 1970 Javelin SST Ram Air 1968 Rambler Rogue |
Posted By: amxess
Date Posted: Jan/17/2011 at 5:49pm
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Nice. Fiberglass body? |
Posted By: Javelin_GT
Date Posted: Jan/17/2011 at 7:58pm
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Body is all steel. I will probably clean it up and get it running at a minimum
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Posted By: 70 Donohue 390
Date Posted: Jan/18/2011 at 11:07am
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Nice find Adam!!! Ironically, last weekend I pulled out an old AMC Road Race VHS tape that i hadn't watched for 5-6 years. I took a lot of pics off the TV that i was gonna post, but my laptop took a dump. I'll see if they came out and post using my other pc tonight. I'm quite sure that your Gremmy is on the tape. I believe it was Daytona 73 or 74.
------------- 67 Rogue 290 Convert 70 BBO 390 5 Speed Javelin-under construction |
Posted By: Javelin_GT
Date Posted: Jan/18/2011 at 2:35pm
| Is that the film that starts off with the Matadors and ends with the Gremlins at Daytona? Has not real sound other then cheesy music. |
Posted By: 70 Donohue 390
Date Posted: Jan/18/2011 at 3:05pm
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Yup. Looked like home made 8mm transfered to VHS ------------- 67 Rogue 290 Convert 70 BBO 390 5 Speed Javelin-under construction |
Posted By: Javelin_GT
Date Posted: Jan/18/2011 at 6:15pm
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I have that VHS somewhere too. Need to dig it up.
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Posted By: 70 Donohue 390
Date Posted: Jan/19/2011 at 10:09am
The pics off the TV didn't come out very well but heres a couple Amos Johnson in "The Winning Gremlin"  This may be your car? No AMC sponsorship  Or this one? ------------- 67 Rogue 290 Convert 70 BBO 390 5 Speed Javelin-under construction |
Posted By: 70 Donohue 390
Date Posted: Jan/19/2011 at 10:25am
I found this one on Google Pics ------------- 67 Rogue 290 Convert 70 BBO 390 5 Speed Javelin-under construction |
Posted By: 70 Donohue 390
Date Posted: Jan/19/2011 at 11:33am
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I just found this site- A LOT of AMC's including you Concord TA Car http://www.racingsportscars.com/make/photo/AMC.html Here is a Javelin i have never seen in any pics anywhere?   ------------- 67 Rogue 290 Convert 70 BBO 390 5 Speed Javelin-under construction |
Posted By: nosigma
Date Posted: Feb/04/2011 at 9:45pm
I met George about 15 years ago. He gave me a pretty complete write up about that car. It was still sitting in his garage when I visited with him. I know I still have the write up around here some place, but not promises on how long it will take or when I might find it. John |
Javelin_GT wrote:Posted By: 343sharpstick
Date Posted: Apr/18/2011 at 9:38pm
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Hey all, just wanted to update you all that I purchased the car from Adam and moved it back to Wisconsin. The plan is to restore and update it in order to participate in local auto-cross and eventually vintage racing events. If anyone has pictures or additional history on the car please let me know. I'll start tearing into it later this year.  Here it is on the trailer before the long haul back to Wisconsin.  Cheers all Mike |
Posted By: amxdreamer
Date Posted: Apr/19/2011 at 1:07am
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coolio! ------------- Tony Vancouver, BC 1970 AMX 1972 Badassador AMO#10333 |
Posted By: amcrules00
Date Posted: Apr/19/2011 at 5:21am
| Yeah, but without the dreadlocks. |
Posted By: Bobs AMX
Date Posted: Apr/21/2011 at 9:32am
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If someone is interested in the Amos Johnson Team Highball Gremlin it is for sale here in Colorado. It is race ready condition. Contact Jim (303)618-2438 ------------- Bob Kenworthy |
Posted By: imacarfan2
Date Posted: Apr/28/2011 at 2:30pm
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Can't wait to see updates on this! What a cool ride! ------------- 67 Ambo conv 68 AMX 68 Ambo 4 door 70 Ambo 4 door (2) 71 Hornets (1 SC/360) 73 Hornet 2 door 77 Matador coupe 77 Sportabout 78 Concord 2 door 81 Concord wagon |
Posted By: 343sharpstick
Date Posted: Apr/29/2011 at 8:54am
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I can't wait to get started! (Fall of this year).
It's way cool that there are three active AMC road-race car builds going on
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Posted By: smoke
Date Posted: May/11/2011 at 2:16pm
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Hey Sharpstick,
I'd love to hear some details on that airdam, and some of the other race ready components. Am looking to purchase a Gremlin, and am interested in doing somewhat of a replica of the #96 car in the photos. Some engine details would be great too!
Thanks
Will
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Posted By: 343sharpstick
Date Posted: May/11/2011 at 2:32pm
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http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x192/adtarr/IMSA%20Gremlin/ -
Adam has some pictures of the car on his photobucket site, this may get you started.
http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x192/adtarr/IMSA%20Gremlin/
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Posted By: 343sharpstick
Date Posted: May/11/2011 at 3:09pm
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The airdam is cool, but it's a pieced together thing thaty was clearly created for something else.
That said, it was well done and fits the car great.
If I race this thing as agressively (and unskilled
 ) as I raced motorcycles a few years back I'll surely tear this airdam off the car in short order . I'll need to make a mold of this so I can make a few spares
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Posted By: asifnyc
Date Posted: May/12/2011 at 12:09am
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congrats! can't wait to see it tearing up the track! -------------  https://asifnyc.com" rel="nofollow - asifnyc.com '74 Jav/'74 Mat Race '73 Jav/'75 Grm street '75 Grm, '62 Amer, '70/'71 Jav - projects |
Posted By: 343sharpstick
Date Posted: Nov/28/2011 at 8:59am
I moved it from storage to my garage this weekend. the Javelin has a new stablemate.
 Lots of work ahead, first thing I'm going to do is get a Kirkey Intermediate Seat Like bulletpruf has done in his thread. Then build out from that.
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Posted By: FASTNASH
Date Posted: Nov/28/2011 at 9:10pm
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Looks like great buy and good luck with it. Looks like clean up good. ------------- AMO#3040 NAMDRA#1115 AMC's are just like potato chips you just can't have one. |
Posted By: 343sharpstick
Date Posted: Dec/06/2011 at 8:13pm
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OK guys, the fun is starting. First thing on the "To-Do" list a new Cage. Some may be OK with what's in there, but If I flip this thing I simply don't trust what's there. My home track is Road America, it's no place to be messing around with safety. I also have the Kirkey intermediate road-race seat so I'll be mounting that too. Question is, What tube Dia. do you guys recommend? I have the SCCA General Competition Rules & Specifications document. Section 9.4 spells it out the regulations pretty clearly, however I do not know the weight of the finished product, so what tube dia. Do I need to use.
Here is the chart: GCR Vehicle Weight Tubing Size (inches)/(outer diameter x wall thickness) Up to 1700 lbs 1.375 x .080 1701 - 2699 lbs 1.500 x .095 1.625 x .080 2700 lbs and up 1.50 x .120 1.750 x .095 2.00 x .080 Do I just go with 2.00 x .080 tube dia and be good no matter what or is that foolish. Do I go for 1.625 x .080? Is there a chance a gremlin could weight more than 2,700 pounds? Probably not but I have no basis to make an educated guess, a stock Gremlin weighs 2,633 pounds per Wikipedia. |
Posted By: bulletpruf
Date Posted: Dec/07/2011 at 10:08am
Car should be pretty light. Interior is gutted, right? Keeping the 258? Are the doors gutted? Lexan or glass?
Should also check with the shop that's going to install it; they may prefer to use a size that they're used to working with, especially if the weight difference is negligible.
Also may want to check out other classes; the more classes your car is legal for, the more opportunities you will have for seat time. My car's cage is 1.75" x .120 DOM; it should be good for NASA and SCCA.
Scott ------------- Please check out my YouTube channel for vintage car and truck shenanigans! https://www.youtube.com/@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE |
Posted By: 343sharpstick
Date Posted: Feb/06/2012 at 3:57pm
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I've made some small progress. I got the seat located, welded some mounts to the floor, but those will eventually be tied in to the new cage. Fitting a modern seat in a gremlin is a bit tight.
I have 3 inches from the top of my helmet to the top of the cage. the rules state 2 inch minimum. so I can rais the seat a bit if needed.
In addition to that the pedals, shifter, and steering are all where things are comfy.
So much to do!
There's a pile of things that can occur now that the seat is located. Also I should start to mark and remove the electrics and some of the plumbing. There is also some floor work that can be done to clean up some misc. holes and repair a few 'cave-ins' from some off-road excursions, so I've started on that.
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Posted By: michiganmadman
Date Posted: Jul/05/2012 at 3:50am
| Looks like a fun project! |
Posted By: Bobs AMX
Date Posted: Sep/17/2012 at 8:31am
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If someone is interested in the Amos Johnson Team Highball Gremlin it is for sale here in Colorado. It is race ready condition. Contact Jim (303)618-2438 ------------- Bob Kenworthy |
Posted By: Charles Smiley
Date Posted: Sep/19/2012 at 6:07pm
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IIRC, 2-inch 0.080 is as good as 1-1/2 at 0.120-inch wall.
It's not just the wall thickness - it's also the outside diameter. Together they form the "cross-sectional modulus of interia" of tubing. Also the material type , DOM 1010, 1020 etc. needs to be known too. Look up the various charts or formulas in some racing engineering books. Maybe in Carol Smith's various books.
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Posted By: Charles Smiley
Date Posted: Sep/19/2012 at 6:16pm
| My 401 4-speed Hornet hatchback weighed 2900-lbs wwith driver and track-ready. So a Gremlin should be under that after you gut it and reinforce it. |
Posted By: nosigma
Date Posted: May/05/2013 at 3:11pm
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As mentioned before I almost bought this car from George Beasley in 1996. He sent me a great deal of information on how the car was set up, why certain mods were made and how they were made. I finally found the write up he sent me. The write up was done by Ed Allen who owned the car before George. There is another person, Don who is referenced as having additional information. Amos Johnson is referenced several times in the write up. I also have a Washington post write up on the car racing at summit point. I am posting it all below as JPG's If the cars current owner wants a copy of the scans emailed to him let me know. John http://s49.photobucket.com/user/nosigma/media/IMSA%20GT%20Gremlin/PostArticleGremlinatSummitPoint001_zps6d098980.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  http://s49.photobucket.com/user/nosigma/media/IMSA%20GT%20Gremlin/GremlinRaceSetUpandBuildNotes007_zpsb693a2f1.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  http://s49.photobucket.com/user/nosigma/media/IMSA%20GT%20Gremlin/GremlinRaceSetUpandBuildNotes006_zps82edc463.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  http://s49.photobucket.com/user/nosigma/media/IMSA%20GT%20Gremlin/GremlinRaceSetUpandBuildNotes005_zpsbf50384e.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  http://s49.photobucket.com/user/nosigma/media/IMSA%20GT%20Gremlin/GremlinRaceSetUpandBuildNotes004_zpsc5407ca9.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  http://s49.photobucket.com/user/nosigma/media/IMSA%20GT%20Gremlin/GremlinRaceSetUpandBuildNotes003_zpse835f304.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  http://s49.photobucket.com/user/nosigma/media/IMSA%20GT%20Gremlin/GremlinRaceSetUpandBuildNotes002_zps6058c71a.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  http://s49.photobucket.com/user/nosigma/media/IMSA%20GT%20Gremlin/GremlinRaceSetUpandBuildNotes001_zps258b4aba.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  |
Posted By: nosigma
Date Posted: May/05/2013 at 3:22pm
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Here the post article rotated for better viewing. Sorry about that. http://s49.photobucket.com/user/nosigma/media/PostArticleGremlinatSummitPoint001_zps92ce29ec.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  |
Posted By: Javelin_GT
Date Posted: May/06/2013 at 8:55am
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This is really great info for the IMSA RS cars. I believe the Don referenced is Don Knowles who used to own this car. He may even still be racing. You can reach him on Facebook......... https://www.facebook.com/thedonknowles" rel="nofollow - https://www.facebook.com/thedonknowles
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Posted By: nickleone
Date Posted: May/06/2013 at 6:12pm
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Find out what the tubing for the cage will weigh.
There are charts available. Then measure what you tink the cage will look like and add 10 feet.
That will give you some idea of the finished weight. Weight with or without liquids and driver?
It has been a long time 26 years since I built a Gremlin cage. 1.75 x.125 tube back then.
Nick ------------- nick 401 71 Gremlin pro rally car sold 390 V8 SX/4 pro rally car sold 1962 Classic SW T5 4 wheel disc brakes |
Posted By: 343sharpstick
Date Posted: May/08/2013 at 12:09am
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John, That information is spectacular! Thank you very much. The car car is currently on the back-burner while I finish the new motor for my Javelin. But this information is awesome! The detail you have listed will be amazingly helpfull. I'm a member of the IMSA RS facebook group, and each time someone posts a new picture I am hoping for a glimpse of what the car looked like as it's in primer now. When I start striping the car I’ll be doing it in such a way to capture some information on its past color(s). Mechanically it appears complete which is nice. I find it odd that it currently has an old V-gate shifter. Cheers Mike |
Posted By: Javelin_GT
Date Posted: May/08/2013 at 3:24pm
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Mike....you should post up some pics on the Facebook page. |
Posted By: 343sharpstick
Date Posted: May/08/2013 at 4:00pm
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I did that a while ago, It produced some interest and some there remembered the car, which was great. It hasn't yet produced any old photographs yet, I may try again when I start to tear into the car.
One thing posted on the Facebook site was this grid sheet from 1974, which is the same year as my car. I know that my car was owned by "The Dons'" at one time, and here we can see "Jones-Knowles" #6 on the grid sheet. I believe this could possibly be my car and I would sure like to proove it, That's an impressive qualifying run and at Daytona no less.  |
Posted By: 343sharpstick
Date Posted: Nov/11/2022 at 9:19am
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This Car is for sale, I'm just not finding the time to work on this. I need the room in my shop! It's pretty much the same as the pictures on this site, just more dusty. It's been stored inside since I've had it. If interested PM me.
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Posted By: bulletpruf
Date Posted: Nov/11/2022 at 1:10pm
Price and location, please. Thanks ------------- Please check out my YouTube channel for vintage car and truck shenanigans! https://www.youtube.com/@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE |
Posted By: 343sharpstick
Date Posted: Nov/13/2022 at 3:59pm
| It’s in Wisconsin, about an hour north of Milwaukee. I think $1000 is a fair price. |
Posted By: 343sharpstick
Date Posted: Nov/21/2022 at 10:18am
| The Gremlin has gone to a new home. Sad to see it go, happy to have the floor space! |
Posted By: bulletpruf
Date Posted: Nov/21/2022 at 3:30pm
I think that was more than fair. Not surprised to see that it has been sold. ------------- Please check out my YouTube channel for vintage car and truck shenanigans! https://www.youtube.com/@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE |