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| ID help - could this possibly be an AMC Lerma? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 21 2014, 09:44 PM (735 Views) | |
| 78Gremlin_GT | Mar 21 2014, 09:44 PM Post #1 |
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The Gremlin Guy
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I can't imagine that there are too many diecasts of the VAM / AMC cars originating from Mexico, but I bought some more diecast at my now-favorite thrift store on the way home, and this purple 4-door hatchback was in a bag. I immediately started thinking That looks like a VAM car. So I pulled up some Google images, and either I've been smelling the Gremlin fumes too long, or this is indeed a somewhat crude copy of that car, based on the Spirit, but called Lerma in Mexico. Is there any other 4-door hatch out there that even looks this close? Let me know what you think. Jerry
Edited by Dean-O-mite, Mar 22 2014, 06:29 PM.
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| Harvestman | Mar 21 2014, 09:47 PM Post #2 |
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Captain Slow
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It is a crude copy of a Rover SD1. It does look quite close, though...
Edited by Harvestman, Mar 21 2014, 09:48 PM.
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| SeberHusky | Mar 21 2014, 10:04 PM Post #3 |
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Station Wagon
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I do believe this was made by Summer. Summer has had a Rover in their repertoire. #8914...................ROVER 3500 SDI.........................MET-LIGHT BLUE + BLUE/PINK #1 #8914..................ROVER 3500 SDI.........................MET-LIGHT BLUE + BLUE/BLACK/WHITE #1 THE RETURN OF SUMMER/SM/SUMMER METAL LIST BY STEVE MASSON Edited by SeberHusky, Mar 21 2014, 10:06 PM.
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| 78Gremlin_GT | Mar 21 2014, 10:05 PM Post #4 |
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The Gremlin Guy
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Yes, the rear side glass matches the ROver SD1 more closely...but the grill is way off, the Rover has a middle drop down the Lerma doesn't, and more closely matches this purple car. Oh well, it was a hope. I think I will still pass it off as a Lerma-sorta vehicle. Maybe it's a hybrid Roverma, or Lerover. LOL. Thanks for the help, Harvestman. Jerry |
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| Swifty | Mar 22 2014, 12:08 AM Post #5 |
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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It's definitely the Rover - it has the very rare (approximately 800) US spec front fascia. I wish someone made the Lerma in small scale! This would be a good casting to start with for a talented customizer. |
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| Lane1through75 | Mar 22 2014, 10:19 AM Post #6 |
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With Jazz and conversation from the foot of Mt. Belzoni.
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I can't believe this is the first time I'm hearing about something as interesting (to me) as the Lerma! Thanks for posting the question. I was not familiar with this Franken-car until now. Just when I thought AMC had squeezed out all the possible Hornet combinations there were, in comes the Lerma! |
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| 78Gremlin_GT | Mar 22 2014, 11:03 AM Post #7 |
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The Gremlin Guy
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Actually, this was a VAM-only project. AMC USA had no interest in it , as the Concord wagon was fine, and the thought of reducing the rear cargo capacity wasn't acceptable to Management up north. Mexico, however, went ahead with it, in both 2 and 4-door variants. I think this was the only model they really made extensive mods to, most of the other cars ( Matador Coupe, Gremlin, Hornet ) they just made some passing mods to the grilles, wheels, etc. and just renamed them. The Matador Coupe became the AMX, I believe. I don't recall the names of the others right off hand. But VAM had an interesting AMC history, one I'm not overly familiar with to great extent. But they tweaked the standard AMC cars to make some interesting mods. You just rarely hear about VAM and it's history up north. Did you know the Jeep 4.0 HO 6 cylinder was actually a VAM-designed motor? THAT one made it back north, as I have a '94 Jeep Cherokee with that motor in it, and it scrambles! I'd love to put it in a Gremlin myself. VAM also made a 4.2 litre motor, low compression, for down there. I don't think AMC North ever used it for anything. Anyway, I enjoyed posting this one, learned quite a bit about Rover cars ( same as Land Rover, btw ? ). Jerry |
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| wall-e | Mar 22 2014, 04:10 PM Post #8 |
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Station Wagon
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Thank you for turning me on to the VAM Lerma! I had never heard of it before today. Put the Eagle AWD drive train on it, then you'd REALLY have something! I think it's the coolest Rambler/AMC variant since the IKA Torino. |
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| Gremlin75 | Apr 6 2014, 08:50 AM Post #9 |
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Microcar
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If it was a Lerma, It'd sure be rare! It's a Rover, I believe it's called an SD1. |
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| Swifty | Jul 2 2017, 10:19 PM Post #10 |
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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I never in a million years expected I'd ever see one of these...![]() ![]() ![]() I've now shot a VAM Lerma but I can't find a 1961 DeSoto or a Dodge Omni 024 anywhere. |
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| Mark F. | Jul 3 2017, 08:42 AM Post #11 |
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Minivan
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Wow. What a cool find.
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| toyopu | Jul 3 2017, 06:45 PM Post #12 |
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Subcompact
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What a great thread! I'm going to try to learn more about the Lerma and VAM. |
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| Swifty | Jul 3 2017, 11:23 PM Post #13 |
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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To say I was excited would be an understatement along the lines of saying the surface of the sun is 'a might bit hot.' ![]() I shot this at the AMO national show in Gettysburg last weekend. |
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| 94cadillacfleetwood | Jul 4 2017, 12:33 AM Post #14 |
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Nothing good ever happens after midnight.
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For that to catch my eye between those two Marlins is saying something. I was browsing Unique Cars and Parts' Australian page and someone has a 1972 Rambler Javelin listed for sale. Now there's a story. |
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2:06 PM Jul 11
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Lerma_VAM_rr.jpeg (57.54 KB)



I think I will still pass it off as a Lerma-sorta vehicle. 

VAM also made a 4.2 litre motor, low compression, for down there. I don't think AMC North ever used it for anything. Anyway, I enjoyed posting this one, learned quite a bit about Rover cars ( same as Land Rover, btw ? ).





2:06 PM Jul 11