Telling truths

["Mahoney, John" <jmahoney@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>>
In truth, there really is no "Matador Machine".
The fact is you could order a matador with a
"Machine Go" package.
<<

Finally!  (I kept wondering when someone would pass "Go" on that one...)

>>
No console available, but a center cushion/armrest
was included with the buckets if so ordered.
<<

Ya sure about consoles?  ("In 1971, I remember seeing an Ambassador 401
hardtop..."  Am I becoming an old man?)

>>
It gets a bit old to see everything redone in "resale red."
<<

(As it's getting old to see everything in "show-no-swirls" silver...);
nonetheless, that car should be returned to its original paint and recovered
with a black vinyl hat.  It's a piece of AMC history and whoever possesses
it should be acting as its guardian.  There are plenty of AMCs in Leon VA
(or behind your barn, perhaps) to play with; -curating- car history is a
responsibility, not a game to be played.  Whether it's a lordly Duesenberg
or the "lowly" AMC make.

If the recent green Hornet deserved preservation, the red one

<http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2493152553>

deserves rectification.  With a "Donohue" spoiler added?  OK!

It's not only a matter of scarcity or of demand or of market value; it's a
matter of telling the FULL story of a make (something which AMC; unlike even
Hudson, hasn't yet done on paper ---  despite all the pages that fly out of
CT or OH or Canada) and representing it as it really was, not as whatever
image 2004 (or 2104) wants to see.

I may like 18" 10-spoke titanium-finish wheels on, say, my Flint Mica Scion
tC today; they would not be too fly (or straight or phat or kickin') on my
Bittersweet Orange AMX 390 from 1970.  (Unless I didn't care about AMC
history or, in the case of such a well-represented AMC model --- now sort of
a '55-'57 Chevy from Kenosha --- if I was certain that dozens and dozens of
perfectly-preserved and/or authentically-restored AMXs would flood the field
at every AMC car show...)  A hub-capped beige Gremlin with I-6 and stick
shift should be treated with the same degree of curatorial interest and
historical respect as the hottest SS/AMX; if AMC, not Mr./Ms. Gearhead, is
really being served.   

>>
I consider that AMC created some particularly unique cars over the
years.  They weren't all built between 1968 and 1973 although the
postings to the list would suggest that some people's personal clocks
stopped at this point.  Whether anyone would buy them as models is
moot - but as someone who does buy 1:18 diecasts here are a few which
I would buy in a heartbeat.

1956 Rambler Cross Country
1957 Rambler Rebel
1964 American
1966 Ambassador
Any Gremlin
Any Pacer coupe or wagon - I might buy both if available
Any Matador Coupe
An Eagle
<<

That lack of extra-musclecar-era palpitation is not confined to AMC; the Rx
for it will be only written when rising prices preclude even the most
self-indulgent of boomers their nostalgic dreams.  Until then (or until they
are all unable to drive [although I know of someone who pays dearly to keep
his favorite old car --- a 1924 Chrysler --- in the grounds-care garage of
his nursing home; he's nearly ninety and can only look at and remember now,
but he still has the cash to support his "hobby"), genuine Muscle Cars will
set new auction records and more Muscle Car -clones- will float the
$100,000+ boat. 

[Note that "extra" means "outside" [of], not "very" and that "musclecar" is
the new/old name which I --- along with some sharper scribes churning out
car-buff pub copy --- want restored to use to mean "American super car"
(which is not the same as "Super Car.")  "Muscle Car" is a specific
musclecar sub-category, just as "Full Classic" is a class of classic car.
Unfortunately, I encounter far too many car -lovers- (most of them with
educations, good jobs and much more expensive daily drivers than I'd ever
buy) who still spell "brakes" as "breaks."  It beats me how they managed to
obtain any or all of the above rewards.]

Here's a chance to let your money/mind talk/take an AMC home.  Two '66s are
on the block this weekend in Toronto: an Ambassador hardtop and an American
convertible --- about which the sale blurb reads, "Appraised at over
$30,000; over $22,000 invested in 2003 in restoration..  Brand new power
brakes & suspension- top to bottom.  Hidden 10 CD stereo with remote.  Brand
new BF Goodrich tires."

I haven't seen either car but suspect one might look the way AMC built it
and one might not.  If you're a curator, and can't wait for a Larry-mobile
(I can't remember which Larry is original owner of the original AND rare
Rambler Rogue); maybe the Ambo is for you;  If you're a cruiser (and not
into Studebaker or Olds), maybe the American is.  Either way is cool; just
don't part out any Briarcliffs.

And do develop your "dual-ignition" eyes for automotive beauty.

> The stubbed off rear is especially apparent on the hatchback,
> IMHO. That's why I suggested a little duck-tail spoiler. Doesn't
> need much, just a little flip up would nicely terminate it.

The low trailing height of virtually all '67-up AMC bodies does look "wrong"
today (as do the high fronts --- even after they were raked to within a few
mm. of underhood clearances; narrow tracks, meatless tires and fine lines of
chrome) but that doesn't mean they're not perfect.  Perfect examples of, and
for, their design time.  '68 Javelin's not a retro '05 Mustang, but the time
capsule that new Mustang is trying --- successfully and unsuccessfully ---
to be.  Again, "spoil" any old basket-case AMC (or Mustang) you may want to;
don't go drilling holes, altering spring mounts or popping popcorn poppers
through the hood of blissfully original, unmolested, "unremarkable" cars by
any manufacturer.  What's "un" today will definitely be "in" tomorrow.

Just wait and see.