The Matador was a stately styled coupe/sedan/wagon that replaced the Rebel in 1971 as American Motor Corp's plus
sized muscle coupe. In 1974 the Matador coupe was restyled in a completely different fashion from the sedan and C(the)BS News lists the Matador on their list of the World's 15 Ugliest Cars. Ignore those philistines, because Francisco Scaramanga used a flying version to escape James Bond in The Man with the Golden Gun and a Matador coupe deserves a spot in your garage. Find these 1977, 1978 & 1975 AMC Matadors offered for $2,500 (for all three) here on craigslist, located near Seattle, WA. Tip from Gianni.
By 1977 the muscle-car era was on its way out and the replacement cars tended to be softer, slower and are generally less collectable today - but don't rule them out of your classic search as they are also considerably cheaper. You can read all about the 2nd generation Matador coupe here on matadorcoupe coop, but this seller also has a few Gremlins for sale.
These two 1978 AMC Gremlin GTs are offered for $1,600 for the pair, here on craigslist, a '77 parts Gremlin is also available for an additional $200. No reason is given for thinning the herd, but if you a 70s AMC fan, this could be a cheap way to start your own collection. See a better way to spend your cash? tips@dailyturismo.com
Is this the automotive equivalent to the Crazy Cat Lady? I wonder if he just kept coming across these things and could not resist, or did people drop them on his doorstep?
ReplyDeleteI have a friend in France who would up with 64 Citroen 2CVs that way. At the time, people thought he was half-a-bubble off level, but now he is a respected source of good original parts. Time and perspective, I guess.
Sadly, I don't think 1970s AMCs are headed for the big time any time soon. They were not exactly the pinnacle of auto technology even when they were new.
There were few attractive cars built in the 5mph bumper era, and this wasn't one of 'em.
ReplyDeleteThe next day he's sightseeing but he can't resist going back to the restaurant and ordering "Bullfight Especial". The waiter brings out a bowl, but this time the balls are much smaller. He eats them anyway, finds them delicious but asks the waiter:
ReplyDelete"Why were these balls so much smaller than they were yesterday?"
"Well, the Matador doesn't always win."
Regarding the Gremlins... that's got to be the longest stretch in advertising truth I've seen in ages. The two are "basically complete but require restoration". That should read "basically complete piles of s**t". There's nothing complete about that blue one in particular. The parts car looks more complete than the other two combined.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, stock Matadors are not in any way rewarding to drive other than if you're an AMC fanatic or you can't figure out any other way to get a 401. That I get, but to own one because you think it's a good car to drive...not so much. Nonetheless, there were some interesting variants.
ReplyDeleteOleg Cassini
[img]http://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/74matador.jpg[/img]
Barcelona
[img]http://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Matador-Barcelona.jpg[/img]
Barcelona II
[img]http://www.matadorcoupe.com/images/ZiemnowiczMom.jpg[/img]
X
[img]http://ateupwithmotor.com/contentfiles/uploads/1974_AMC_Matador-coupe_left3q.jpg[/img]
Can any Matador be considered cool? Check out this picture and decide for yourself.
[img]http://www.matadorcoupe.com/images/Beddow1.jpg[/img]
1974 AMC Matador Oleg Cassini edition, 401 with 55K for $15,750.
DeleteWow what a nice looking car after all the cheese is removed. Looks a little like one o' them big Ferarris.
DeleteObligatory suggestion of LS1 and 6 speed swap....
I've always thought these were the ugliest cars ever made. Then I saw that orange one at a show. It's super cool.
ReplyDeleteRemove the bumpers and brougham crapola, fill the wheel wells, and you can see that the designers had something going on.
Chebby
Agreed, Chebby!
DeleteThe Matador has been featured in several movies and television shows. Some of my Matador recollections:
"The Man With The Golden Gun":
[img]http://www.allstarpl.com/webimages/entertainment/THUMBS/ctc/t-ctc7355.jpg[/img]
"Adam-12"
[img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4023/4688292225_4cde0be066_n.jpg[/img]
Adam 12 had Matadors but the above picture is a Plymouth !
ReplyDeleteOops. That's what I get for being on too many blogs like this all at once. Got my Plymouths and AMCs crossed up.
Delete[img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8312/8019828557_2fdb476d09_z.jpg[/img]
http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2010/02/09/hemmings-find-of-the-day-1973-amc-matador-cop-car-anarchy/
ReplyDeleteNo you know where the Porsche Panamera got it's looks :)
ReplyDeleteThe Gremlin GT is a very rare car... the blue one may be incomplete, but the body is rust free and should be saved.
ReplyDeleteWere the Gremlins sold?
ReplyDelete