Old shitbox racing is the best kind of racing

"AMC/Renauledge" (n2skylark) 05/24/2016 at 13:00 • Filed to: None

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Has anyone seen this SCCA Stock C race from 1980? Twenty-four different showroom-stock cars competed with just roll cages and fire extinguishers as their only modifications. Most of the cars are VW Rabbits, although an AMC Gremlin, Dodge Colt, Plymouth Champ, a couple of Ford Fiestas and Pintos, and a Buick Opel Isuzu were on the field as well.

You might expect the Rabbits and maybe Fiestas to walk away with it, but at least one example of real American iron shocks the announcers and makes a great showing. There are some real surprises and fantastic driving here. The spin-outs are wild (especially with one particular car) and the sarcastic commentary is even better.

Also, those Rabbits lean and break down a LOT.

StoneCold > AMC/Renauledge 05/24/2016 at 13:09

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Drafting is paramount!

AMC/Renauledge > StoneCold 05/24/2016 at 13:26

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Watching them all try to draft behind that chopped-tail Gremlin...

Jonee > AMC/Renauledge 05/24/2016 at 15:17

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That’s awesome. The Gremlin is especially hilarious. I’m surprised there aren’t any Le Cars. They were fairly big in this series.

AMC/Renauledge > Jonee 05/24/2016 at 17:24

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As a former Gremlin owner, I was so happy to see one race and do so well against such lionized competition. Watching it go was just the best. And that driver flung it around heroically.

I wonder if the LeCars did well enough to qualify for this race. They were pretty underpowered and unreliable.

Jonee > AMC/Renauledge 05/24/2016 at 17:48

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He’s really getting the most out of that Grem. I like that it’s the second body style, too. For some reason that makes it even more amusing to watch. What year was your Gremlin? I’ve had a handful myself.

They were actually more reliable than Rabbits, but I guess the VW did have more horsepower. I know guys who would ice race Le Cars. This ad touts its success in SSC, but I’m not sure what that was.

AMC/Renauledge > Jonee 05/24/2016 at 20:40

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I had a ‘76 Custom 258 auto. Adored it. And yeah, the 1977-78 Gremlin facelift is pretty rare. Only about 10% of all Gremlins sold had the short fenders and big hatch. And the one in the video was a ‘77 X based on the stripe pattern, though I wish I knew which engine/transmission combo.

As for the LeCars, I’m not sure...

Jonee > AMC/Renauledge 05/24/2016 at 21:00

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That thing’s a beauty. I’ve had a couple 72's. One was a 3 speed and the other an auto. And then I had an orange ‘77 auto with the 258 that I loved. You’re right, that does look like an X trim car.

AMC/Renauledge > Jonee 05/24/2016 at 21:10

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Having had the ‘76, I wished it was a ‘77. Disc brakes were standard, and a 4-speed was available. Plus the bigger hatch gave better visibility and was more useful.

But I loved my ‘76 anyway.

Jonee > AMC/Renauledge 05/24/2016 at 21:50

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That huge glass hatch was wonderful. And I love those bulging Dick Teague tail lights. It was really a much improved car all around. I wish I had had the 4-speed. I did own a ‘77 Pacer with the 4 on the floor and that tranny really made a huge difference. That was the funnest AMC to drive that I ever had.

AMC/Renauledge > Jonee 05/24/2016 at 23:55

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Wow. The 4-speed would be the only way to get a Pacer, except maybe the 304. The Pacer was too heavy for those sixes AND an auto. Lucky you. That would have been a lot of fun. Jealous.

Jonee > AMC/Renauledge 05/25/2016 at 00:38

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Yeah, that was a stupendous car. I would have loved if it had the V8, but that didn’t come out til the next year and I don’t like the raised hood. But, that 4 speed really brought out everything the 6 had. It was a heck of a lot peppier than the auto cars and was nice on the freeway. I wish I still had it. I recently dug up a photo of when I found it.

AMC/Renauledge > Jonee 05/25/2016 at 02:04

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I LOVE that two-tone! It's gorgeous. What happened to it?

Jonee > AMC/Renauledge 05/25/2016 at 02:07

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That two tone is the best especially that color combo. It was 70's-tastic. Someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse, but should have in retrospect. I sort of had too many cars at the time.