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Original and unrestored 1976 AMC Matador for sale on Hemmings.com. From the seller's description:
1 owner, 44,577 original miles, Original Autumn Red Exterior on Black plaid interior, with landau roof.Up for sale is another one of the cars out of my collection that I have acquired over the years, my 1976 AMC Matador. This is a car that in the future I will probably regret selling, but I recently acquired another car that I've been after for a long time so sadly I must part ways with my Matador, one of my personal favorites.
I happened upon the car at an estate sale a couple hours from my home here in South Dakota. From my understanding of the story, the car was special ordered new by the couple whose estate it belonged to after years of saving, and that it had been pampered and garaged for the entirety of their ownership.
From my time owning the car and hopefully from what the pictures get across, that was every bit the truth and more. I have owned a lot of AMC's over the years and I don't remember the last time a saw a Matador that looked at good as this one does. They just aren't around anymore, no one that bought these new thought to keep them, aside from the original owners of this car apparently.
The condition is every bit as nice as the day it rolled off the dealership lot, with only a one very minor flaw that I can see. There are some very minor paint chips on the driver side, top inner side fender support, but nothing I would ever consider fixing as this car has had no paint work at all from what I can see.
1976 AMC Matador
See more AMCs for sale on Hemmings.com.
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Memorial Day means the start of summer, and summer is road-trip season. What better choice is there for exploring new vistas and making new memories than a full-size American luxury car from the mid-'60s? These land yachts allow you to enjoy classic style without giving up niceties like air conditioning, cruise control, and power windows and seats. They're remarkably easy to drive, too, with their big, torquey V-8s, and fully capable of keeping up with modern traffic.
Detroit's Big Three were clicking on all cylinders when they created these cars, and the task of choosing among them hasn't gotten any easier over the past 60 years. Cadillac? Imperial? Lincoln? Each has its charms, and makes its own style statement. We picked these well-preserved examples from the Hemmings Marketplace, focusing on four-door sedans for the ultimate comfort of the passengers.
Did we leave out your favorite? If so, let us know in the comments. And if you're interested in reading more about classic American luxury cars, keep a lookout for the special feature in the July issue of Hemmings Motor News.
1964 Cadillac Series 62
Photo: Hemmings Marketplace
<p>As ritzy as it was, the Series 62 was Cadillac's entry-level model in 1964, available as a coupe, a four-window sedan, or a six-window sedan. All Cadillacs were powered by the new-for-'64 429-cu.in. V-8, which churned out 340 hp, more than enough to move the 4,575-pound sedan along smartly. Cadillac boasted of "deep, foam-padded, chair-height seats as beckoning as your favorite easy chair," and upholstered in one of a variety of fabrics. The division introduced its fully automatic Comfort Control air conditioning system this year, and this example has it. What more could a sophisticated traveler want? Cadillac produced a record 165,969 cars in 1964.</p><p>We don't know much about this car's condition from the ad, though the abundant photos give us an impression of a 60,000-mile car that certainly still has its original upholstery, and may have its factory-applied Aspen White paint, too. In addition to the Comfort Control, we note the presence of cruise control, too, and a push-button AM/FM radio with signal-seeking. We found it among the Hemmings Classified Ads, with an asking price of $32,000.</p><p><a href="http://hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1964-cadillac-series-62-concord-nc-2659603" target="_blank">hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1964-cadillac-series-62-concord-nc-2659603</a></p>
1964 Imperial LeBaron
Photo: Hemmings Marketplace
<p>Restyled for 1964, the Imperial was offered in Crown and upscale LeBaron flavors, mainly distinguished by the sumptuousness of the interior. The 413-cu.in. V-8 went toe-to-toe with Cadillac's new engine, matching its 340 hp output, though it had an extra 400 pounds of curb weight to haul around. Chrysler was proud of the work they'd done to make the Imperial as silent as possible, and boasted that it was "the quietest motorcar ever built in America." This was the last year for push-button control of the TorqueFlite three-speed automatic. Imperial finished third in the luxury-car sales race, with production totaling 23,285.<br></p><p>According to the seller, this Sequoia Green Metallic Imperial has been lovingly cared for by one family since new, and has not been restored, though the body does show some "scratches, blemishes, and a minor ding." The button-back leather seats are in good condition, with enough cracking to give them character, and all of the real wood veneer is present and accounted for. On the downside, the seller notes surface rust throughout the underside, with some pitting in the muffler and rear axle in particular, and an apparent oil leak from the rear pinion seal. We found the Imperial as a Hemmings Classified Ad, with an asking price of $16,000.</p><p><a href="http://hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1964-chrysler-imperial-morgantown-pa-2768489" target="_blank">hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1964-chrysler-imperial-morgantown-pa-2768489</a></p>
1964 Lincoln Continental
Photo: Hemmings Marketplace
<p>The redesigned 1961 Continental was a landmark car, and its design went mostly unchanged right through 1964, rear-hinged rear doors and all. The Continental had been drawn by Elwood Engel, who brought the razor-edge styling motif with him when he moved to the Chrysler Corporation in 1962. Lincoln's 430-cu.in. V-8 was the biggest of the three, by one cubic inch, but was rated at 40 hp less than its competitors', thanks in part to its two-barrel carburetor. The wheelbase was stretched by 3 inches, to 126, for added legroom in 1964, but it was still 3 inches shorter than the Cadillac's or the Imperial's. Lincoln production amounted to 36,297 for the year.</p><p>The seller's description doesn't tell us a lot about this particular Princeton Gray Continental, but from what we can see in the photos, it's relatively straight and unmodified, and its original leather-and-cloth upholstery looks to be in remarkably good shape. The classified ad lists its mileage as 32,916. We found it with an asking price of $23,000.</p><p><a href="http://hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1964-lincoln-continental-vassar-mi-2776899" target="_blank">hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1964-lincoln-continental-vassar-mi-2776899</a></p>
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Spring is here. As the snow melts and the daffodils bloom, it’s time for many vintage cars to emerge from winter hibernation and get back on the road. Thinking of adding to the collection? We have 10 vehicles in spring-like shades of yellow – including cars and trucks, U.S. and European – to catch your eye.
1976 AMC Matador
<p>Yellow is a classic 1970s color and while we resisted the temptation to go for a Pacer, this unusual <a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1976-amc-matador-ruskin-fl-2738072" target="_blank">1976 AMC Matador Coupe</a> kicks off the list. Sunshine Yellow is the shade used here, complemented by a white vinyl roof and some brown plaid upholstery that also betrays its decade of origin. Aluminum five-spokes and whitewall tires complete the look.</p><p>For sale in a classified ad for $13,000, the unrestored Matador isn’t perfect – the A/C and horn apparently don’t work and there is some “rust, albeit “minimal”. But the car is said to be complete and drivable as-is, complete with a 256 cubic-inch (4.2-liter) inline-six under the hood and a three-speed automatic.</p>
1978 Ford Bronco Ranger XLT 4x4
<p>From the unrestored to the immaculate. Listed with a dealer in Plymouth, Michigan, this custom,<a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1978-ford-bronco-plymouth-mi-2771499" target="_blank"> Bright Yellow Bronco </a>with removable white hardtop has been subject to a frame-off build. The front buckets and rear bench are finished in saddle brown with tan accents while the upgraded dash features Dakota Digital gauges, a modern radio and controls for the Vintage Air A/C.</p><p>Based on a 351M V-8, the 408 cubic-inch (6.7-liter) engine has an Edelbrock aluminum intake and heads, Quickfuel 750-cfm 4BBL carburetor, MSD ignition and Erson roller camshaft. It sends 452 bhp to the pavement through a Ford C6 automatic transmission, NP205 transfer case and Dana 44 (front) and Ford 9-inch (rear) axles. The truck has a 5-inch lift, Fox shocks and aluminum mag wheels shod with Dick Cepek Trail Country EXPs.</p>
1965 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada
<p>The reborn Bizzarrini company has recently been selling 24 modern recreations of its iconic 1960s GT, called the 5300 GT Revival Corsa. But the yellow 1965 car listed here is the real deal, designed by the eponymous former Ferrari engineer with styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro and Piero Drogo.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/bizzarrini/5300-gt-strada/2771352.html" target="_blank">Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada</a> was a race car for the street, with lightweight aluminum bodywork, fabricated platform chassis and a semi-monocoque body riveted to the frame. The yellow Strada offered here for €1,150,000 (about $1.25m) offers the best of both worlds: it’s still street legal in its home country of the Netherlands but was prepared for racing in 1997 and has competed all over Europe ever since.</p><p>Restored in 2007, the 5300 GT – powered by a front-mid-mounted, 5.4-liter Chevy small-block – has continued to race, despite subsequently changing owners, and is said to come with a comprehensive history file.</p>
1970 Dodge Challenger RT
<p>This <a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1970-dodge-challenger-auburn-ma-2775350" target="_blank">Challenger RT restomod</a> is finished in Pearl Yellow with White Diamond Gold Pearl accent stripes and painted graphics. According to the seller in Auburn, Mass., it was painted by legendary California painter Hershel ‘Junior’ Conway from Junior’s House of Color.</p><p>Originally built by Mr. Norm’s and included in the Grand Spaulding Registry, the car was later bought and rebuilt by Dick Landy Industries (DLI). The 440 cubic-inch (7.2-liter), 600-bhp engine has Mopar performance cams, lifters and roller rockers; Hooker long-tube headers; and a Flowmaster dual exhaust. It was recently rebuilt by Larry Ofria of Valley Head Service in Northridge, Calif.</p><p>The aluminum, three-link Panhard bar rear suspension was fabricated for this Challenger, which rides on 17-inch American Racing wheels. It has Brembo disc brakes, an RT hood and a high-performance radiator.</p>
1967 Alfa Romeo Duetto
<p>“Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me!” The yellow on <a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1967-alfa-romeo-duetto-la-vergne-tn-2717183" target="_blank">this 1967 Duetto</a> – a year younger than the famous car from <em>The Graduate</em> – is not an original shade, but it looks great all the same. It’s matched on the dash and in the carpet piping.</p><p>Originally Ivory, the color was brightened up during a 2010 respray, part of a wider restoration of the Spider’s body in 2009-12. It currently has Euro headlight covers and aftermarket Cosmic wheels sporting Yokohama tires. The classic 1,600-cc, twin-cam motor is said to be “date-correct” and only has 100 miles since a 2022 rebuild. The five-speed manual was also done three years earlier.</p>
1985 Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler
<p>We turn to Saxon Yellow for this <a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/jeep/cj8-scrambler/2608603.html" target="_blank">rare CJ-8</a>, for sale at $35,900 from a dealer in Elkhart Lake, Wisc. Like the Alfa, the yellow paint is paired with a black interior – this time featuring cloth bucket seats and a custom locking console.</p><p>The Scrambler extended the CJ-7’s wheelbase to 103.5-inches and featured a pickup-style box behind the seats. Some 27,792 were manufactured from 1981-86, according to <a href="https://www.classic.com/m/jeep/cj/cj8" target="_blank">Classic.com</a>. This 1985 example has been fully restored. It has air conditioning, new American Racing Wheels and Goodyear Wrangler Duratec rubber, and a Fishbone Offroad front bumper with driving lamps.</p>
1997 Ferrari F355 Spider
<p>Yellow isn’t red, but it’s still a timeless Ferrari color. The F355 is a classic design, in our view, with Pininfarina evolving the look of the previous 348 to winning effect. This <a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/ferrari/355-spider/2767529.html" target="_blank">1997 Ferrari F355 Spider</a> in <em>Giallo</em> over black leather offers a route into Prancing Horse ownership for a shade under $100k, just below market average.</p><p>There’s peace of mind on the 3.5-liter V-8 from a full engine-out service completed last summer by Cecconi Motorsports. That brought a new clutch master cylinder, timing belts, drive belts, fuel filter, air filter, plugs, crank sensor and coolant hoses. The V-8 is paired with a six-speed gated manual.</p><p>Brembo GT drilled/slotted brake rotors, HRE three-piece wheels in satin black, a Tubi exhaust and a stainless fuel-line kit are all aftermarket upgrades. Jobs for the to-do list include a look at the pop-up headlight mechanism and a shock sensor light on the dash. There’s a clean Florida title and a Carfax report that records a “minor fender bender” from 1997 affecting the rear quarter.</p>
1974 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL
<p>The shade on this <a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/mercedes-benz/450sl/2772110.html" target="_blank">1974 SL</a> (color code 624) was simply called ‘Yellow’. This roadster is described as “an honest original example” of the long-running R107, with 120k miles on the clock: “a solid and straight car overall with a lot of potential”, in the seller’s words.</p><p>The manual-transmission Mercedes runs and drives but requires servicing and some minor cosmetic work – there are signs of what looks like corrosion on the trunk lid and around the base of the hardtop. Still, we think this is a classy ride for $10,950. What better way to celebrate spring than to get the top down on a classic Benz?</p>
1970 TVR Vixen 2500
<p>Restored to concours condition by David Zumstein of Abingdon West in Fallbrook, California, this <a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/tvr/vixen/2676227.html" target="_blank">Chrome Yellow TVR</a> is unique. As detailed in the definitive history of early TVR, <em>A Passion to Succeed</em> by Peter Filby, and as cited by the seller, this was the only Vixen 2500 to receive a Lucas fuel-injected Triumph TR5 engine and four-speed transmission with electric overdrive. US TVR importer Gerry Sagerman and company owner Martin Lilly obtained this unit from British Leyland when they went to secure a deal for TR6 powertrains for subsequent Vixens. Those engines were the US-certified, “smog special” straight-sixes with twin-Stromberg carburetors.</p><p>The historic Vixen is in beautiful condition, having been subject to a frame-off restoration. It has Spax adjustable shocks, a stainless-steel exhaust system, aluminum fuel tank and factory sliding sunroof. It rolls on its original finned alloy wheels, now fitted with Dunlop radial tires.</p>
1938 Studebaker K15M38 Cab-over
<p>Mustard Yellow is our final shade of yellow in this springtime rundown. A seller in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, is asking $162,500 for this <a href="https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1938-studebaker-morgantown-pa-2750534" target="_blank">cab-over K15M38</a>, which was restored over 19 years, as documented in an accompanying photo album, and has won several awards at AACA and Studebaker events.</p><p>The wood-lined bed of this delivery truck has milk cans strapped into the stall area up front, as befits the signwriting for Whitney Farms of Northboro, Massachusetts. The cab oozes art deco-influenced style, inside and out. Beneath it, the 226 cubic-inch (3.7-liter) six-cylinder got new rings, bearings and valves during its rebuild. Continuing the theme of renewal, the rust-free chassis boasts new brake linings, hoses and fuel lines.</p>
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