Misty

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

As Nissan opened its first Detroit styling studio yesterday, Hyundai opens
its first US plant next week (to build that Lexus-look quality  

http://www.weblogsinc.com/common/images/3622953417441486.JPG

car companies need --- to increase their perceived value, sales share and
profitability --- steps to success AMC was never able to achieve) and Toyota
opens its formidable forces to make GM number two, it's not hard to see a
coming of "ends" for the American automobile.  American Motors can be called
"last" independent; American Motors could also be called "first" of the last
American car dominoes someday.

There's no point discussing current or past American motor history here:
there's no interest, no involvement and, some say, no one left standing.
There's no point searching for another American Motors forum: the Forum
appears even less interested in American motoring history than the List.
There's no sense sending [three times???] info that still can't be archived:
there's no value to knowledge that can't be read, re-read and re-used.     

About 34 years ago, I put down a $20 deposit and ordered my first AMC.  I
paid $4100.00 upon delivery, including tax and $29.99 for dealer "complete
rustproofing" by Symtech.  I had gone out to meet that AMC the evening of
the day they phoned to say it'd been unloaded.  The entire dealership was
locked but enough lights were on to see "my" (the $20 of it I then owned)
Ambassador up on a hoist with its doors open so the rust-proofing could air
(or drip?) dry.  I then tossed and turned all night, wondering if that AMC
could fall were there an earthquake.  

I had passed on a leftover 9-passenger 1970 Dodge Monaco with 383 2-bbl and
WSW J78x15s.  I still have all the paperwork for it: VIN DH4660D305232.  It
would've set me back $4179.00 including tax and "Dodge Rubberizing."

I also passed on ordering a '71 Brookwood, model 5435, for $4146.85 and a
'71 Custom Ranch Wagon for $4034.04.  Instead, I made my "first" an AMC.  I
kept their paperwork and paint chips, though.  In case I re-considered?   

I was picked up by my [young "green"] salesman [named Larry] in his [dark
green] Javelin demo.  After writing the biggest check that 18 year-old had
ever signed (and worked/saved to fund), I edged MY first AMC carefully off
the lot.  I bought a few gallons of [27.9-cent] gas (AMC dealers didn't fill
17-gallon tanks back then) and drove MY AMC slowly, cautiously, -proudly-
home.  I parked it beside the copper-colored Coronet [which I'd sold
privately; the buyer was soon to retrieve] and I regarded an AMC beauty.  I
thought it was the best of all possible American automotive worlds.

I didn't admit that it was a mid-size (114") body stretched two times; that
it was narrower, lighter and flexier than a Dodge, Chevy and Ford.  I didn't
compare its 304 inches with the other cars cubes; I didn't shift its B-W
welterweight into Torqueflite or Hydro-matic and I didn't even notice how
cobbled-together its dashboard and door panels were.  I refused to care that
the proverbial piece of 4x8 plywood wouldn't fit flat in its American rear.
It was different, it was attractive, it was affordable, and it was mine.  I
thought it was the best of all my possible car worlds.     

I drove it as my only car for the next four years.  I enjoyed days when
people asked, "Is that a Chrysler?" and "What year is your Buick?"  I was
proud when a woman pulled up while I was [compulsively, perhaps] washing it
and yelled, "That's the prettiest wagon I've ever seen!"  I thought it was
the best of all possible American Motors worlds.

I watched as Ambassador was grille-hatched, 727-ed and Air-Temped in '72 and
'73.  I thought the "old girl" [you'll know that reference if you're
knowledgeable about Dick Teague] received a successful facelift, nose-job
and butt tuck in '74 --- plus, finally, a decent-looking "one-piece" Big-boy
dash!  I still thought it was the best of all possible AMC worlds. 

I raced to see each "new AMC" --- from Hornet hatchback to Matador coupe to
Pacer to Concord to LeCar.  I let the Spirit move me; I attempted to form an
Alliance and to play an Encore.  I took a shine to a Medallion; I forced
myself to find Fuego fun.  I spotted a Sport-ing bird named Eagle and made
myself believe that a 25-year-old new Wagoneer was Grand.  My eye was on 18i
and when Renault built a Sportwagon I hoped it would succeed.  I was gaga
that Giugiaro gave AMC/Renault a big barge (and I kept my faith through [yet
another] Dodge Monaco and still see that boat as beautiful.)  I pretended it
still could be the best of all possible AMC/Jeep/Renault/Mopar worlds.

I bought some "hot" AMC cars second-hand; I thought I'd find some "cool" AMC
hobbyists first-hand too.  I truly wanted it to be the best of all possible
old-car AMC worlds.

I read, I researched, I wrote.  I watched and waited.  For the best of all
possible collector-car AMC worlds.

It still hasn't revolve into the sunlight for view.

Maybe I slept through it or blinked and missed it.

What happened to the best of all possible worlds?

>>
Date: Friday, March 18, 2005 03:36 PM
It most likely is correct for a 71-73 Matador/Ambassador on both front and
rear doors. I believe these models needed the slot for the door release
handle. Starting in 74, the Ambo/Matador had a door handle that was recessed
into the door, so they would be different from that point.
<<

???  Check change from "box" to "blade" style or check the photos:

>>      
Date: Friday, March 18, 2005 12:05 PM
<<

Unless that info disappeared in the mists of AMC, too