CC Capsule: 1975 AMC Matador Brougham Station Wagon – What, No Barcelona Wagon?

Matador wagon

(first posted 1/17/2013)     We haven’t had any AMCs on CC for a while, so I had to share this nice ’75 Matador wagon, posted to the Cohort by GGH06. Looks pretty good with the Road Wheels and dark red paint, doesn’t it?

n_1975 AMC Full Line Prestige (Rev)-44

Although the Matador coupe was the, ahem, most distinctive member of the family, I always liked the Matador sedans and wagons–maybe from watching “Police Academy” too many times as a kid. I think the wagon has the edge over the sedan, as it did not get the humpy rear quarters and upswept rear door that the Rebel sedans got in 1970 and were carried over on the 1971 and later Matadors.

n_1975 AMC Full Line Prestige (Rev)-38-39

The wagon’s roofline, last revised in 1967, carried on–and was all the better for it. It aged much better than the sedan’s as the ’70s progressed. And although the Broughamiest neighbors on your block would have gotten the fake-woodgrain model, a Matador wagon with plain sides was also available. The Matadors carried on through the 1978 model year with only minor changes. Sadly, only the ’78 sedan was available with the Broughamy Barcelona package: No two-tone brown or maroon wagons with crushed velveteen upholstery were ever made.

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But wait, folks, there’s more–this wagon is a Brougham! AMC typically showed the Brougham wagons with the plastiwood siding, but apparently at least one of them came off the line with painted body sides. It’s hard to see, but that is indeed a Brougham emblem on the C-pillar.

n_1975 AMC Full Line Prestige (Rev)-38-39

As you’d expect, the Brougham consisted primarily of a fancier interior (shown at the lower right of the brochure pic above). And check out that bright green interior! What can I say, it was the ’70s.

According to GGH06, this Matador “was found on the used car lot run by a close relative, although it’s become more of a pet than actual merchandise.” Maybe if you’re good, he’ll share more info–and pictures-on it! What a nice old wagon.

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