Pat Bridge

IP: 74.4.251.93

Mar 31, 08 - 7:40 PM

Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter

I'm not sure if anybody else here was contacted, but I had a very pleasnt phone interview with a reporter from the Richmond Times-Dispatch today. Apparently, all the Gremlin press in the past few days led one of the reporters to THIS WEBSITE (yay!) where they found my post about living near the incident and owning a Gremlin. One thing led to another...
I hope that I was able to positively portray the Gremlin and undo some of the negative press that this story has generated about our favorite car. May just end up as a quote or a brief mention, who knows, but I was told that the piece would appear in tomorrow's paper. No idea if there will be anything on their online edition or not, but you might want to check it out just in case.
PS: I gave great props to this website AND to the Louisa Co. HS students who have brought my car back to life. Hope that part gets a mention.
Pat

Gremil

IP: 72.26.17.114

Mar 31st, 2008 - 10:36 PM

Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter

Thanks Pat! I hope no newspaper begins to drum up a "Gremlin Cult" analogy to this crime.

By the way, Tomorrow is April Fool's day which is the day the Gremlin was introduced by AMC.

Amc1974

IP: 205.188.116.10

Apr 1st, 2008 - 10:26 AM

Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter

Hate to break it to you guys, but it was a negative piece that will likely discourage people from wanting one. It did no justice to the car. IF any good came from it, its that it will keep values low enough for us to be able to afford more of them. Thats the best spin I have. Thankfully, magazines like Hemmings have, in the past, been much kinder to the Gremlin.
Lets flood the newspapers mailbox with angry mail. They did just the oppositte in terms of trying to heal the cars image. Over the last few years, these cars have gained some media attention as a collectible and an interesting car to invest in. This article was of the early-90s mindset and not consistent with what is largely the new thoughts of the grem.

Amc1974

IP: 205.188.116.10

Apr 1st, 2008 - 10:59 AM

Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter

I just posted the first "readers response" online. Cmon, work with me! Follow my lead and inundate them with Gremlin fan mail!

Amc1974

IP: 205.188.116.10

Apr 1st, 2008 - 11:00 AM

Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-04-01-0068.html

Pat Bridge

IP: 169.134.240.8

Apr 1st, 2008 - 11:47 AM

Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter

Yep, it turned out very negative, despite my request that it not be. I am very disappointed. She used very little of anything positive that I said. The ulitmate humiliation is getiing the quote from the local Studebaker club guy who completely dismisses AMC (Shocking, right?)
The tone of the piece is very different than I expected during the interview.

I encourage everyone here to post a comment in favor of the Gremlin.

Guu, I really tried to say all the right things, but it looks like there was an angle going in and that's just what the story was going to be about, no matter what.

Why the Studebaker club quote? I mean, come on!

amc1974

IP: 205.188.116.10

Apr 1st, 2008 - 2:41 PM

Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter

Yeah, I wanted to know about that. What does Studebaker have to do with anything? I have a feeling the people writing the article thought that Studebaker was part of AMC. Such a poorly researched piece (...of crap).
They might as well have interviewed someone from the Chevy club (and I drive a chevy, too so dont attack me, Im not hatin'). they probably would have gotten a MEANER response.

Gremil

IP: 72.26.17.114

Apr 1st, 2008 - 4:17 PM

Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter

I posted my two cents worth in the comments at the site. And you're right, what does a Studebaker club have to do with any credible opinions on AMC? I would like to own a vintage Stude someday, so I'm not putting down the car. But getting an opinion on AMC from non AMC sources is just plain bad journalism.

Hey, does this mean when they want an opinion on the Pinto or Vega they'll come to us?

Mr. Beast

IP: 68.162.102.13

Apr 1st, 2008 - 5:06 PM

Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter

I posted my reply, don't know if they'll use it though, I wasn't exactly nice about it.

cadipacer

IP: 74.130.47.242

Apr 1st, 2008 - 8:50 PM

Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter

Concerning the Studbkr,, the only possible connection: Stude & Packard considered along with Nash & Hudson to merge thus making the biggest merger in all time,which would have changed the course of history,, but the President of AMC died, then the bottom fell out of that deal and Nash & Hudson merged as you know to form American Motors on May 1 1954
Also look how the 327 chevy was used in Ramblers!!!! Thats the same idlelogics
that rule here!

woody

IP: 72.69.110.43

Apr 1st, 2008 - 9:12 PM

Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter

I put in my 2 cents. I also sent it on to AMO members all over US. I think someone should find an e-mail address for this Sudebaker guy and let him know that we don't appreciate his comments. If a reporter had called me and asked me about another car make or model I would have referred them to a club that knows much more than I do. Hell, one Google search for AMC Gremlin should have been more than enough for an article on the little car and the company.

Of all days to bash a Gremlin, April 1st.

woody

1sickgremlin

IP: 64.194.25.207

Apr 1st, 2008 - 9:38 PM

Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter

Hey all,
I tried several times to write a "Comment" about the article.. but got too abrasive.. lol. I hate that the Stude guys would bash the AMCers.. kinda sux cause I really like Studebakers...
MPK

GremlinXman

IP: 69.177.134.212

Apr 1st, 2008 - 10:08 PM

Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter

Well I posted my thoughts as well

Pat Bridge

IP: 74.4.240.56

Apr 1st, 2008 - 10:31 PM

Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter

I cannot believe my internet has been down all night!

When I got home this evening, my neighbor came over with a copy of the article from the paper....only this one ran in the Charlottesville paper! Seems it got picked up on the Virginia newswire service. Anyway, it's the same crappy article...except with a different (better?) headline "Gremlin- great novelty, lousy escape car" AND a pretty decent picture of my car. (When the pics I sent to the other paper didn't run, it never occured to me tehy'd show up closer to home!)
Amazing what a difference a picture makes! The article is poorly written and negative, but the picture (in my opinion) helps a lot. And with a somewhat less negative headline, somehow the whole thing comes off better.

As for the Stude guy, I hope the next time the Richmond Times-Dispatch does an article on the fan following and collectibility of the Lark, they remember to call me to give a comment!

Jeff L

IP: 76.235.207.90

Apr 2nd, 2008 - 9:30 AM

Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter

Just read the article....I can see that nothing has changed in the attitude towards AMC in the 35 years I've owned mine! If anybody can find out if that studebaker jerk has a website PLEASE post it here. We all know you have to be thick skinned to own an AMC...even more if it is a Gremlin. But I would never sell it

Gremil

IP: 72.26.17.114

Apr 2nd, 2008 - 11:13 AM

Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter

Personally, I don't take what the Studebaker guy said too literally, He really might have been taken out of context and didn't mean it the way it came out. This reporter who did the article seemed bent on putting down the car. The reporter was the problem here, not even trying to get an opinion from a car club that mattered.

Have you gone back to the article and read the comments? One thing I will give them is they are putting up all of the comments it would appear. Most all of the comments are negative on the article and praising the Gremlin. Gotta love it!

thomas hofstad

IP: 63.197.120.126

Apr 2nd, 2008 - 11:33 AM

Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter

Typical newspaper article written to amuse the uncaring and not to enlighten the uninformed.

TRUEISM
Genius is always misunderstood

I have to admit that I am attracted to odd
and misunderstood cars... I have a Gremlin after all.
Everyone drools over the popular superstar cars. They are everywhere. I on the other hand love to see the ones that were daring or innovative. Is a diamond valueable because clear shiny stones are sooo attractive or because they are so rare and hard to find? I think my Gremlin is an undiscovered diamond

78 Gremlin
59 Edsel
60 Valiant
73 Satellite Sebring Plus
oh, and a 05 Camry yawn

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Pat Bridge IP: 74.4.251.93 Mar 31, 08 - 7:40 PM	Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter I'm not sure if anybody else here was contacted, but I had a very pleasnt phone interview with a reporter from the Richmond Times-Dispatch today. Apparently, all the Gremlin press in the past few days led one of the reporters to THIS WEBSITE (yay!) where they found my post about living near the incident and owning a Gremlin. One thing led to another... I hope that I was able to positively portray the Gremlin and undo some of the negative press that this story has generated about our favorite car. May just end up as a quote or a brief mention, who knows, but I was told that the piece would appear in tomorrow's paper. No idea if there will be anything on their online edition or not, but you might want to check it out just in case. PS: I gave great props to this website AND to the Louisa Co. HS students who have brought my car back to life. Hope that part gets a mention. Pat Email: patnlaura@embarqmail.com
Gremil IP: 72.26.17.114 Mar 31st, 2008 - 10:36 PM	Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter Thanks Pat! I hope no newspaper begins to drum up a "Gremlin Cult" analogy to this crime. By the way, Tomorrow is April Fool's day which is the day the Gremlin was introduced by AMC. Email: artnesmith@gmail.com
Amc1974 IP: 205.188.116.10 Apr 1st, 2008 - 10:26 AM	Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter Hate to break it to you guys, but it was a negative piece that will likely discourage people from wanting one. It did no justice to the car. IF any good came from it, its that it will keep values low enough for us to be able to afford more of them. Thats the best spin I have. Thankfully, magazines like Hemmings have, in the past, been much kinder to the Gremlin. Lets flood the newspapers mailbox with angry mail. They did just the oppositte in terms of trying to heal the cars image. Over the last few years, these cars have gained some media attention as a collectible and an interesting car to invest in. This article was of the early-90s mindset and not consistent with what is largely the new thoughts of the grem.
Amc1974 IP: 205.188.116.10 Apr 1st, 2008 - 10:59 AM	Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter I just posted the first "readers response" online. Cmon, work with me! Follow my lead and inundate them with Gremlin fan mail!
Amc1974 IP: 205.188.116.10 Apr 1st, 2008 - 11:00 AM	Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-04-01-0068.html
Pat Bridge IP: 169.134.240.8 Apr 1st, 2008 - 11:47 AM	Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter Yep, it turned out very negative, despite my request that it not be. I am very disappointed. She used very little of anything positive that I said. The ulitmate humiliation is getiing the quote from the local Studebaker club guy who completely dismisses AMC (Shocking, right?) The tone of the piece is very different than I expected during the interview. I encourage everyone here to post a comment in favor of the Gremlin. Guu, I really tried to say all the right things, but it looks like there was an angle going in and that's just what the story was going to be about, no matter what. Why the Studebaker club quote? I mean, come on!
amc1974 IP: 205.188.116.10 Apr 1st, 2008 - 2:41 PM	Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter Yeah, I wanted to know about that. What does Studebaker have to do with anything? I have a feeling the people writing the article thought that Studebaker was part of AMC. Such a poorly researched piece (...of crap). They might as well have interviewed someone from the Chevy club (and I drive a chevy, too so dont attack me, Im not hatin'). they probably would have gotten a MEANER response.
Gremil IP: 72.26.17.114 Apr 1st, 2008 - 4:17 PM	Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter I posted my two cents worth in the comments at the site. And you're right, what does a Studebaker club have to do with any credible opinions on AMC? I would like to own a vintage Stude someday, so I'm not putting down the car. But getting an opinion on AMC from non AMC sources is just plain bad journalism. Hey, does this mean when they want an opinion on the Pinto or Vega they'll come to us? Email: artnesmith@gmail.com
Mr. Beast IP: 68.162.102.13 Apr 1st, 2008 - 5:06 PM	Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter I posted my reply, don't know if they'll use it though, I wasn't exactly nice about it.
cadipacer IP: 74.130.47.242 Apr 1st, 2008 - 8:50 PM	Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter Concerning the Studbkr,, the only possible connection: Stude & Packard considered along with Nash & Hudson to merge thus making the biggest merger in all time,which would have changed the course of history,, but the President of AMC died, then the bottom fell out of that deal and Nash & Hudson merged as you know to form American Motors on May 1 1954 Also look how the 327 chevy was used in Ramblers!!!! Thats the same idlelogics that rule here! Email: cadipacer@insightbb.com
woody IP: 72.69.110.43 Apr 1st, 2008 - 9:12 PM	Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter I put in my 2 cents. I also sent it on to AMO members all over US. I think someone should find an e-mail address for this Sudebaker guy and let him know that we don't appreciate his comments. If a reporter had called me and asked me about another car make or model I would have referred them to a club that knows much more than I do. Hell, one Google search for AMC Gremlin should have been more than enough for an article on the little car and the company. Of all days to bash a Gremlin, April 1st. woody
1sickgremlin IP: 64.194.25.207 Apr 1st, 2008 - 9:38 PM	Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter Hey all, I tried several times to write a "Comment" about the article.. but got too abrasive.. lol. I hate that the Stude guys would bash the AMCers.. kinda sux cause I really like Studebakers... MPK
GremlinXman IP: 69.177.134.212 Apr 1st, 2008 - 10:08 PM	Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter Well I posted my thoughts as well
Pat Bridge IP: 74.4.240.56 Apr 1st, 2008 - 10:31 PM	Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter I cannot believe my internet has been down all night! When I got home this evening, my neighbor came over with a copy of the article from the paper....only this one ran in the Charlottesville paper! Seems it got picked up on the Virginia newswire service. Anyway, it's the same crappy article...except with a different (better?) headline "Gremlin- great novelty, lousy escape car" AND a pretty decent picture of my car. (When the pics I sent to the other paper didn't run, it never occured to me tehy'd show up closer to home!) Amazing what a difference a picture makes! The article is poorly written and negative, but the picture (in my opinion) helps a lot. And with a somewhat less negative headline, somehow the whole thing comes off better. As for the Stude guy, I hope the next time the Richmond Times-Dispatch does an article on the fan following and collectibility of the Lark, they remember to call me to give a comment! Email: patnlaura@embarqmail.com
Jeff L IP: 76.235.207.90 Apr 2nd, 2008 - 9:30 AM	Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter Just read the article....I can see that nothing has changed in the attitude towards AMC in the 35 years I've owned mine! If anybody can find out if that studebaker jerk has a website PLEASE post it here. We all know you have to be thick skinned to own an AMC...even more if it is a Gremlin. But I would never sell it
Gremil IP: 72.26.17.114 Apr 2nd, 2008 - 11:13 AM	Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter Personally, I don't take what the Studebaker guy said too literally, He really might have been taken out of context and didn't mean it the way it came out. This reporter who did the article seemed bent on putting down the car. The reporter was the problem here, not even trying to get an opinion from a car club that mattered. Have you gone back to the article and read the comments? One thing I will give them is they are putting up all of the comments it would appear. Most all of the comments are negative on the article and praising the Gremlin. Gotta love it! Email: artnesmith@gmail.com
thomas hofstad IP: 63.197.120.126 Apr 2nd, 2008 - 11:33 AM	Re: Virginia crime-spree Gremlin: The Final Chapter Typical newspaper article written to amuse the uncaring and not to enlighten the uninformed. TRUEISM Genius is always misunderstood I have to admit that I am attracted to odd and misunderstood cars... I have a Gremlin after all. Everyone drools over the popular superstar cars. They are everywhere. I on the other hand love to see the ones that were daring or innovative. Is a diamond valueable because clear shiny stones are sooo attractive or because they are so rare and hard to find? I think my Gremlin is an undiscovered diamond 78 Gremlin 59 Edsel 60 Valiant 73 Satellite Sebring Plus oh, and a 05 Camry yawn Email: hofstad@pacbell.net