Visit a local classic car show, and you’re likely to see rows of Mustangs and Corvettes—and plenty of 1955-1957 Chevy Bel Airs. But a 1975 AMC Matador? That’s another story.
American Motors produced the first-generation Matador from 1971 to 1973. And there was a second series from 1974 to 1978. Unfortunately, nearly all AMC Matadors were driven into the ground and ravaged by time.
But somehow, a 1975 Matador coupe survived in great shape and is now for sale on eBay. The Buy-It-Now price is $11,500.
These rare two-doors had their own radical styling, completely different from the boxy sedans and wagons. The more radical coupes have bold, swoopy lines, a futuristic nose, and a tapering fastback tail.
A Long List of Upgrades
The ’75 Matador on offer is mostly an original car with just 55,449 miles. The current owner upgraded it with many improvements since the purchase in 2018.
- The car had its bench front and generous rear seat reupholstered in correct fabric.
- The owner replaced the struts, bushings, and front shocks.
- He added new spark plugs and a valve cover gasket.
- A working power brake booster was installed along with resurfaced front discs.
- The battery is new, as is the stoplight switch.
The car probably sat a while. So it’s helpful that the fuel tank was removed, cleaned, sealed, and reinstalled with new filler hoses. The hood, which was damaged with rock chips, was repainted. The match looks good.
According to the owner, the Matador drives very nicely. It has no rust, perfect interior and glass, working heater and gauges, and no air conditioning despite the Arizona location. What may look like an air-conditioning compressor is, in fact, an emissions pump.
This is a six-cylinder car with power brakes and steering and an automatic transmission. It’s not going to be a road rocket, but it should be just fine for cruising.
Motivating power in the Matadors started with the 256-cubic-inch inline-six—presumably installed here. It’s connected to a three-speed Torque-Command automatic. Optional were two V-8s, with 360 and 401 cubic inch displacement. The 401 was only for fleets after 1974. The 1975 Matadors got electronic ignition, advanced for its time.
“A Swinging Car”
1974 print ad for Cassini version of AMC Matador
The fashion designer Oleg Cassini was hired by AMC to dress up its early 1970s cars. At the time, copper-colored Matadors—like the one on offer—could get vinyl tops, custom wheel covers with body-color accents, and Cassini crests on the fenders.
Cassini said:
My impression of the Cassini Matador is that it’s a swinging car.
The car for sale on eBay is not a Cassini or a Brougham. Its relatively bare-bones design, suggestive of the period, is more in keeping with current times. But it would be a great project to research and recreate a modern take on the Cassini interior. Start by installing plush reclining front seats with tufted biscuit trim and copper metallic buttons.
While you’re at it, search Matador accessories available on eBay for other ways to dress up this 1975 AMC Matador. And if you dig designer Oleg Cassini, his women’s fashion for sale on eBay goes on for many pages. You and your passengers would look dashing in period garb as you roll down the avenue in this vintage AMC coupe.
