1975 Rambler Matador X Coupe (RHD)

Description

The American Motors Corporation introduced a radical new Matador Coupe model in 1974, featuring curvaceous fastback styling with unusual circular headlamps. The new look was well received by critics, winning Car & Driver magazine’s “Best Styled Car of 1974” award. Originally conceived with stock car racing in mind, the fuel crisis curtailed AMC’s racing programme to a large extent and the Matador was instead pitched as a luxury cruiser, with the unique Matador X a more exclusive variant. A separate model line for 1974, the X added special stripes to the body and bonnet, blacked-out grille, slotted wheels and a unique sports steering wheel. All Matador Xs were equipped with AMC’s 304-cid V8 and automatic transmission. Just 10,074 were built in 1974, accounting for around a quarter of all Matador coupe sales that year, and it even landed a role in the latest James Bond film, The Man with the Golden Gun. AMC made few changes for 1975, introducing a new wheel design and revised grille, featuring full-length horizontal bars. The Matador X became an optional package at a price tag of $199, featuring front disc brakes and radial tyres as standard while electronic ignition was a welcome improvement on all models. The standard power train was an in-line six but most buyers opted for one of three V8s available, with capacities ranging from 304-cid to 360-cid (the 401-cid was also technically available, although just 89 went into Matadors in 1975). Total production for 1975 fell by about 50 per cent to 22,368, with no breakout available for the X derivative. The Matador coupe survived until 1978 and was sold in export markets under the Rambler badge, with right-hand drive versions assembled using CKD kits by Australian Motor Industries in Port Melbourne and Campbell Motor Industries in New Zealand. Matadors built by AMI through the 1970s all featured the same 1974 style grille and although well received, local production was low (one source puts the total number at 80) and very few survive today.