I am keeping busy with car project others would find a little odd. A customer saw my '77 Gremlin when I had it stripped to the frame inside and out and commented that he had never seen anyone do this to a Gremlin. I was confused as to what he meant and he just said usually when a car is torn down and done to this level "it's usually a Corvette, Camaro or Mustang! Never a Gremlin!" I thought to myself that is would certainly be easier to find Corvette, Camaro or Mustang parts. But it's a Gremlin! Who else has one? That's got to count for something!
I feel compelled to push this Gremlin hard as I get everything tuned and up to speed. Things are going to break and probably break big time! I am anticipating changing out the differential and transmission in order to have a drivetrain that will put the power to the ground and hold up well. I have a replacement engine for it coming up, even though this engine would probably take a certain amount of abuse. The next engine will have forged pistons and rods with a better cam so I can really drive some boost on it in order to get the power I want. The displacement on the next engine will still be below 300 cubic inches, so I'm going to need some serious boost and ability to rev more to dog those guys with the bigger displacement V-8s. I've done this before, and believe me I know what I'm doing. The inline six AMC engine is enough lighter that my pounds per horsepower will be very competitive. The way I will put boost on this engine could be with a turbo and intercooler. But the expense of all this may push me to just use nitrous oxide which will accomplish the same thing with less money. Either way I plan to have it set up as a street car with special tuning electronics that will take out a lot of timing when lots of nitrous is being used to prevent overly advanced timing detonation.
My wife encourages my projects, but keeps me from going overboard at times. I guess she thinks these car projects will keep me out of trouble!
My business is an AMSOIL Dealer, which is a company that has made it's fame in synthetic lubricants of all kinds. In 1972 they certified the first API spec Synthetic motor oil, even if Mobil Oil Corporation seems to forget that fact at times. AMSOIL is very big into filtration which could very well be the key to reduced maintenace and reduced wear. As of this year AMSOIL is number one in quality of filtration - nothing new - but now number one worldwide in filtration applications they can cover as well as number one in filter sales. I have a website that not only covers the hundreds of products, but where I have posted pictures of my car projects in detail from teardown to reassembly. I also have posted pictures from car shows I have been to. Check it out if you get a chance:
http://www.upmpg.com (opens new window)
VW Parts & Accesories
I like cars, but even better, I am facinated by how creative people are with cars. I go to car shows, but not as many as I'd like!
I am unable to go to as many cars shows as before because we are taking care of a special aunt who is a sweet person, but now 91 years old. I still try and make the Longview VW Show every fall and the Nacogdoches VW Show called the Shine in the Pines held by our local VW Club every spring. I've discovered a couple of good AMC shows lately, but unsure if I will be able to attend. I sure would like to go to the AMC Nationals November 4. I need a lot of odds and ends for my two Gremlins.
You haven't lived until you go down the road in a Gremlin! I thought a Beetle was entertaining, but the Gremlin takes the cake. People smile when they see it as it brings back memories just like with the old VW Beetles. But young people look at it and go, "What the heck is that?" or "What kind of car is that?"
Here are some forums I like to visit and post:
GremlinX.com
By the way, are there any AMC or Gremlin owners on MySpace?
Air Coolers
High Performance AMC
Cruise Night Beaumont Texas
Check out the pictures (Page has over 100 small thumbnail pictures, so may take a while to load depending on your Internet connection. Worth the wait).
I'd like to meet:
I'm not big into the hero worship scene, but I wouldn't mind meeting colorful people like John Force, who races top alcohol funny cars. Elvira Mistress of the Dark would be another person I wouldn't mind meeting. She's probably the only other person nuttier than my wife! I enjoy being around regular people, in fact, I find East Texans to be some of the friendliest people around.
A friend came to visit and drove a large diesel powered motor home. He had parked it at K-Mart and we were working on it, but doing what I don't remember. Every so often someone would pull up and ask if we needed help or just to ask about the motor home itself. This friend asked me, "Does everyone in East Texas do that?" I asked, "Do what?" and he said, "Just pull up and talk to you like they've known you all their life?" I told him, "Yep, pretty much they do!"
Cool Videos!
Six Cylinder Gremlin Exhaust System
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Add to My Profile | More Videos
This video is showing off the sound of my dual exhausts system on my Gremlin. It doesn't sound like it, but this is an AMC inline six. The dual headers with dual exhausts using HeartThrob mufflers make it sound very awesome. Runs great too. I had to be conservative doing this in my driveway as I live only 2 blocks from the Police station and they do hear me when I do these things! Turn your volume up.
This car below is for sale!
Contact Richard Giddens Cell 936-414-9322 or home after 5:30 PM. 936-824-2914
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Get this video and more at MySpace.com This is a Javelin AMX powered by a 401 AMC engine built by legendary AMC engine builder Herman Lewis. it has over 800 horsepower in this video! More details:
Javelin AMX Rare Breed (opens in a new window)
Mothers ® Polishes-Waxes-Cleaners
Mothers ® Car Care Appearance Products
There is no shine like Mothers ® !
Click on Logo for more information
Synthetic Lubricants and Performance Filtration Products
AMSOIL is number 2 worldwide on the blending/wholesale manufacture of synthetic lubricants. AMSOIL is number one worldwide on quality of filtration, applications covered for filtration products and sales of filters.
Free Product Catalog!
(opens in a new window)
There really is no obligation, I will send you one e-mail asking if you received everything properly. Unless you respond with a question, I won't contact you further. Honest.
Check out our Filtration Products page
(opens new window)
Click on Logos for more information on the following products
Click on Beetle to go to my '67 VW Beetle Restoration Page
Check it out if ya like Volkswagens!
Click Logo for more information
Click Logo for Racing Products page
Click Here for Racing Testimonials Page
Sponsored Drag Racer
Click Here for AMC Javelin Drag Car named Rare Breed
This car is powered by an AMC 401 engine
Click Picture to go to my Car Project Restoration page
Terry Rinker inducted into the Hall of Fame after his record setting 7 ChampBoat race wins in a row!
Contacting Gremil:
Phone:
936-676-7538 or
1-888-637-7327 Toll Free
E-mail Me
Type in the following e-mail (for spam control)
Music:
Rock/Pop are what I usually listen to. But I find myself listening to most types of music. I'm not picky.
Movies:
Of course everyone thinks I'll say something like my favorite movie is Herbie The Love Bug or Gremlins. But I really like comical movies like Big Trouble in Little China. Anyone see Used Cars? I like science fiction a lot too. I did enjoy The Fast and the Furious quite a bit, too.
Television:
My wife likes to watch Forensic Files and The FBI Files a lot. She's probably taking notes on how to do me in!
I watch what she watches. We also watch a favorite program from the Philippines together called Wowowee!Oh yes, let's not forget about Dog the Bounty Hunter!
Books:
I'm ashamed to say that the only books I've read lately deal with the restoration of cars and the usual books on how to find and check a car before buying. So that's pretty much it!
Heroes:
I admire people who did things that certainly would have lead to their death, yet did it anyway. I honestly cannot say that I would be so self sacrificing. Patrick Henry (Give me Liberty or give me death!), Martin Luther King, Anwar Sadat, Ghandi, and the list goes on. I appreciate what they did, but I wonder if my fellow man could be so self sacrificing? I don't think I can!
