As journalists and experts of those years noted, the steering, suspension with leaf springs at the rear and brakes were too uncomplicated. So the hot top version was coolly received by the market: from 1972 to 1976, a little more than 40 thousand cars with V8 were sold. In total, until 1978, customers bought 671,475 Gremlins, including cars with an 82-horsepower two-liter “four” Volkswagen EA831.
Autobianchi A112 Abarth
Autobianchi A112 Abarth 1971 was created on a different pattern than Gremlin. The Italian hot hatch measured 3.3 meters (half a meter shorter than today’s three-door MINI!), weighed half a ton less than the Gremlin, and Dante Giacosa’s design was distinguished by elaborate details. Cast Campagnola wheels, a black belt around the perimeter, an unusual design of the radiator grille. The “Pocket Ferrari” also received a more collected suspension, larger brakes, a Momo steering wheel, a different dashboard and sports seats. The gearbox is a four- or five-speed “mechanics”.
