The AMC Gremlin wasn’t designed to be a performance car, it was built to fill the economic car niche. Don Rayburn’s 1974 Gremlin isn’t your average AMC. This little monster can really hustle down the track.

Among the Camaros, Chevrolets, and Novas, a common sight in the drag racing world, the Gremlin is a refreshing change. This isn’t just any car for Rayburn. He’s owned it since 1974, purchasing it as a stock model and spending years transforming it into a high-powered race car with a remarkable 1,400-horsepower engine. Rayburn’s car, which has a wheelbase of just under 100 inches, reaches speeds upwards of 180 mph, and manages a seven-second quarter-mile—a feat few might expect from a Gremlin.

Rayburn takes the Gremlin to a whole new level, far beyond surface upgrades. With a lot of hours devoted to modifying, restoring, and refining the car, he has built it into a true powerhouse that can stand its ground in the Super Comp class. Racing against dragsters, Rayburn’s Gremlin X caused a stir and won people’s hearts, proving that even a rare car model can make a big splash on the track.

You’ll want to check out this Attention In The Pits video hosted by NHRA’s Joe Castello. We get to hear more about Rayburn’s Gremelin and what went into turning it into a wild race car.