In 1971, American Motors rebranded its mid-size Rebel as the Matador. Then in 1974, they moved it to a full-size platform and created a weird-looking 2-door coupe and a sedan/wagon with a coffin-like nose. The seller has a 1977 Matador station wagon that runs great with a good interior, but the body has a few challenges. Located in Arbutus, Maryland, this reliable driver is available here on craigslist for $12,500. A thumbs-up to Tony Primo for the tip!
The repositioning of the Matador as a bigger car in 1974 may or may not have worked, as the best-selling segment was still intermediates like the Chevy Malibu and Olds Cutlass. AMC chose to make the coupes and sedans/wagons separate cars using the same name. The Matador’s biggest claim to fame may have come from the coupe’s prominent role in the 1974 James Bond flick, The Man With The Golden Gun. If you owned a wagon like this 1977 edition, you might not have wanted to give someone a push with that less-than-flush front end.
This wagon is one of 11,000 that American Motors built in Kenosha in 1977. AT 108,000 miles, the 304 cubic inch V8 is still a good runner, and the seller has taken several extended trips in it. The red interior seems to be original and has held up nicely after nearly 50 years, so it should be comfortable for any jaunts you may want to take.
We’re told the white paint is “beautiful” and “original,” yet you’ll find rust is on several of the car’s lower extremities. The wagon comes with faux side woodgrain paneling, but it has pretty well run its course. When you come to pick up this Matador, you’ll get to take a second set of wheels with you (not photographed?). Are these mid-1970s Matadors your cup of tea?
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