Out of the "factory" 1971 American Motors Data Book - section 4 page 24: Individual reclining seats optional on all models but the vinyl buckets option were listed as available only on the 2dr hardtops. Blaine Hertzog ('71 SC/360) ----- Original Message ----- From: "John W Rosa" <JohnRosa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2004 9:35 PM Subject: RE: Is this **THE** Matador Machine? > > Regarding the 'brochures are printed early' scenario, the > 1972 brochure also specifically states buckets are a two- > door-only option. So it didn't change between early in the > 1971 model year and early in the 1972 model year. I'd say > it's safe to assume it remained that way through the entire > 1971 model year. > > I'm forced to side with the brochures, as they are from > 'the source', over the book. Besides, Larry Daum (who wrote > the AMC/Rambler section) never states the buckets ARE > available in non-two-doors. He simply never states they > weren't...but then he never states the cars can't float! ;) > > The possibility exists, too, that Larry's contribution to > the book was edited down and lost a specific mention of > the bucket seat exclusion. The book is written by many > and edited by one, so if space became an issue, cuts of > perceived 'less-important' info may have happened. > > Heck, Larry is on this list. What say you, dude? > > But AMC does specify the exclusion. So until I see a > factory build-sheet indicating buckets in a four-door or > wagon, I have to stick with factory documentation that > says it wasn't available. The reverse is 'conjecture' > based on something someone didn't say. > > > > Side-note....between this and my private 'gauge pod ' > discussion with Eddie Stakes today, I've got every damn > brochure, stockholder's report and TSM I own spread > all over my office floor!! What a MESS!!! > > John W Rosa > http://www.JavelinAMX.com > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: John McEwen [mailto:moparrr@xxxxxxx] > > Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2004 7:22 PM > > To: John W Rosa > > Subject: Re: Is this **THE** Matador Machine? > > > > > > Hi John: > > > > I got out a magnifying glass to see what the hell I've been quoting > > and must apologize regarding the four speed situation. It was > > available on both Go-Machine packages. I think I read two lines at > > once or something as there is a reference to the 401 in the previous > > line.. > > > > However, I still don't see anything forbidding bucket seats and > > console with Command Shift in any model of Matador - or even in the > > Ambassador. Only the four speed was restricted to Go-Machine cars > > which had to be hardtops. It looks like I was half right. > > > > One thing I've learned about information from brochures and factory > > order books is that they were printed before production began and > > that they were modified as demand indicated. Dealers received > > updates as to change ordering situations. Brochures didn't reflect > > any of these changes unless a part-season brochure was released. > > > > We know that we can never be certain that something was or was not > > done by the factory. > > > > > >