1977 was a big year in US history, at least for pop culture events. The first Apple II computers went on sale, a little movie called Star Wars opened, the Alaskan pipeline was finally completed and, sadly, Elvis died. Elvis probably wouldn’t have driven a 1977 AMC Matador Barcelona II Coupe but this one can be found here on eBay in Greenville, Wisconsin with a $12,500 buy-it-now price or you can make an offer. Thanks to Larry D. for sending in this tip!
The Barcelona II edition Matador Coupe was made for the last two years of Matador production, 1977 and 1978. Whether it was the “regular” Matador sedan or wagon, or the uniquely-styled Matador Coupe, this model would go away after the 1978 model year. An Oleg Cassini edition was also available in 1974 and 1975. The Matador Coupe received its own 114-inch wheelbase but the Matador sedan (two-door or four-door) and wagon had a 118-inch wheelbase.
To say that AMC made unique cars would be like saying that prices seem to be a little off in 2022. This car, at least in the photos shown by the seller, appears to be in almost like-new condition. The exterior looks perfect to me, I don’t see a flaw anywhere, do you? I mean, a condition flaw, I know that this styling isn’t for everyone but I love it for the unusual factor. Those bumpers – which I’m thankful are still in place as a lot of Matador Coupe owners seem to take them off – look perfect. Why the company didn’t include any bumper filler material there is a little strange, but 1977 was a strange time as you remember from thinking back to what your wardrobe looked like back then.
The seats are a bit loose, to say the least, but any good upholstery shop could fix that. These seats are a bit loosey-goosey anyway, this isn’t my favorite interior for an AMC product with that loose fabric even when these cars were new. As with the exterior, I don’t see a flaw inside other than the seats appearing to need some padding. There are no detailed photos and sadly, no engine photos which is somewhat unusual for an eBay listing.
Here’s where the engine isn’t, but have another look at that unique rear styling. The 232 inline-six was standard and this example has the optional AMC 304 cubic-inch V8 which would have had 126 hp and 219 lb-ft of torque. A 360 V8 and 401 V8 would have been optional, as well as a 258 inline-six. With 71,691 miles on the odometer, this unique ride has only traveled an average of 1,593 miles a year over the last forty-five years and it’s been kept in a heated garage. It has a new distributor cap and rotor and also a new fuel pump and water pump. The seller mentions that the AC and cruise control don’t work so there’s some tinkering to do. Any thought on this unique Matador Coupe?
I was never a big fan of the styling but it wasn’t until I saw one without those large crash bumpers that I could look at it and say ok not so bad of a style now. Of course that coming from a guy who digs quirky cars my opinion should be taken lightly. The fact that some of these survived and to be in really good condition like this one is pretty amazing.
Agreed. Saw one of these at a AMC show, slightly modified, and it was beautiful w/o the rear bumper, very Italian styling.
Yep, I would wrap the bumpers up and put them nicely in the attic where nobody could see them. Then cruise around in a unique style. (When I wasn’t driving my Javelin).
From what I remember driving these cars, the visibility out the back was terrible, so you needed those outrageous bumpers. Parking these boats in small indoor parking garage spots was challenging to say the least. lol
I prefer the Matador X version! GLWTA!! :-)
The Matador X was actually a very good-looking car, although it would have been even better looking if it were about 7/8 scale. It’s amazing what a tape stripe and rally wheels can do. The luxo-Matadors like this one with the padded vinyl roof and opera windows were an abomination, completely destroying the smooth flowing voluptuous curves of the basic design.
iyho
If Elvis had been, say, an accountant, and he channeled his inner self by, say, performing on the local nightclub circuit, I could very well have seen him driving a flashy, over-styled Matador such as this. More attention-grabbing than the normal accountant car, yet still within the affordable price range. Nice find.
I’m thinking Elvis probably outwardly wanted to drive a Matador Barcelona II Coupe around Memphis, but his entourage probably forced him not to! Agree, nice find.
It is in great shape bit man o man what an ugly car.
No 401 after 74.
I use to jockey cars around at a Sears Auto Repair Center when I was a late teen. So I drove quite a few models & makes of cars, trucks & vans.
As the Repair Center was inside a Mall indoor multi-level parking garage, I drove them around, just for fun and to kill time.
These Matadors were like driving boats. Just a god awful car, ugly styling as well. AMC was known for quite ugly styling other than the Javelin-AMX.
They had the infamous fish bowl on wheels, the Pacer and a whole array
of just really ugly heaps. No wonder they ceased to exist.
So that’s a Matador.
The seat fabric is not “loose.” It was produced that way to have a “gathered” appearance. That is all original and a very nice example.
They look like deflated balloons.
Love that leisure-suit styling…
(Oh dear)
https://www.imcdb.org/v001073411.html
In general, I like AMC’s quirkiness. I would love to drive around in a restored and lightly modified Gremlin or even a Pacer. But this doesn’t do it for me. If I were after a mid70s boat sized coupe, a Monte Carlo or Gran Prix would be my choice.
It is a wonderful survivor and cool to see though.
Cordoba for me.
Still: a lot better than the Gran Torinos, Elite or Cougar.
Those were even worse.
The Matador without all that unfortunate ghastly crap festooned on it was clean in comparison to those pigs.
That opinion hasn’t changed in nearly 50 years either.
Corinthian leather!
Hopefully Barcelona I was better!
The only one of these things I’d be seen driving would have been Bobby Allisons stock car. Man! I forgot how ugly these things were!
So true! Definitely one of the ugliest cars ever made. And not much of a styling exercise … “Hey boss, what if we made a really huge Pinto, BUT – picture this! – with round taillights!
A base model Matador coupe (there were no Matador 2-doors on the 118″ wheelbase after 1973) with aluminum wheels and no vinyl top was the best configuration for this unusual design. I don’t think too many people would call it “pretty,” but it was passable. The look just got worse and worse as 1970s cliches like opera windows and two-tone paint were added. The Barcelona II is like a caricature of everything bad about 1970s design. Woodgrain instrument faces? It doesn’t get much more 1970s than that!
We have a winner.
Something about the pure ugliness of these cars makes me want one. Drop a Hemi in that boat and beef up the suspension and drive train. Grannies grocery getter gonna get there a whole lot quicker! Giggity.
When they were first introduced, I thought they were butt-ugly, but now I love the looks.
And I wish I had a dollar for every comment posted on Barn Finds that states “I’d put a V8 in it.” (see the 1953 MiG post.)
Not only Elvis but Bing Crosby died that year too. As for the car it wasn’t so bad new.
I have always loved this weird edition of a weird design! I believe the headliner had studded buttons so all you would need to do would be to add the all around interior bell tassels live out your …erm ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’ fantasies.
A thumbs up to everyone who thinks it’s ugly. Funny about the accountant remark. The onlyguy I knew who bought one was an accountant
I turned 14 in 1977 and was already a car fanatic. I remember seeing these back then and wondering how a car company could expect to survive building something as awkward looking as this. A few years later, I got the answer to that question!
‘Those bumpers – which I’m thankful are still in place as a lot of Matador Coupe owners seem to take them off – look perfect. Why the company didn’t include any bumper filler material there is a little strange,’
Amen Scotty. Stupid to put that unobtanium sheet metal at risk
As to “why?” no bumper fillers? This was an elegant way to do the 5 mph bumpers with out ill fitting [and as we discovered] quick to crack and disintegrate. Not really strange at all, even Car & Driver appreciated the organic quality.
They weren’t trying to cover up ’71-72 bumper openings like most manufacturers were.
Not the Matador I’d choose: hideous opera window that prevents the rear windows from being rolled down, the unmade bed look of the seats, painted bumpers, vinyl top that in whatever form screwed up the lines of the entire car.
All that desperate effort? Just no.
Yeah. Been a odd car guy , I actually like matadors. But this edition actually did go too far. Prefer the Adam 12 model in Howard’s link. Still amazing to see any 70s AMC in this condition
It seems that a car that plush and “luxurious” should have power windows. Were they available?
Only in the Adam 12 models. lol
Being a quirky car guy as well (hey I think GM’s 1958 offerings were some of the all time best), I dig the Matador only in the same version I like my movies, “X”.
The Barcelona version, while…..unique…..is not something I’ve got much of a desire to have taking up space in my garage.
If anyone is really interested in a much cheaper AMC Barcelona, there’s a 4 door one that’s been kicking around on my local CL for awhile for $1500:
https://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/d/stony-brook-amc-madator-barcelona/7486861232.html
The Barcelona does suit the 4 door better than the coupe
Had one for 4yrs and absolutely loved how unique this car was. Hated to sell it in “88” but was starting a DJ career and needed storage on wheels. It is very tempting to me now…
w/this 1 AMC is getting a lill long in the tooth, time to go away. But has AMX, Eagle waggy, still the fantastic i6 and I (always a contrarian) like the pacer (wagon only)… Wacky company extremes loosers’n winners… Wish they were still here for the winners and competition w/the big 3/forigners.
Auction update: this one sold for an unknown amount as the seller accepted a “best offer”.