Re: Mat coupe front clip on wagon

[farna@xxxxxxx]

Jeff is 100% correct, of course! The Coupe and the Pacer were two money holes for AMC -- turned out to be big gapping holes too! NEITHER shared ANY sheetmetal with any other vehicle. The Mat Coupe shared a more than the Pacer, but just drivetrain and most front suspension components. The jury is still out on whether the front suspension crossmember was the same as a Matador sedans or Ambassador. I don't think it would directly interchange with the Matador sedans because the engine seems to be set back further. It could interchange with the Ambassador, since the stretch required the engien to be set back some. The wheelbase stretch was 8", but the engine wasn't set back more than 4". 

We've gone over this before, but I believe the Pacer was a necessary gamble. The entire full size line would have been based on it had it not bombed. I don't know WHAT AMC execs were thinking when they okayed the Matador Coupe. I think Teague just talked them into it -- he'd mentioned before that it was his last shot at a clean sheet design. Maybe the execs thought it might be as well, or just wanted to give him the chance to see what could be done. Should have been with a small car. It was just the wrong car at the wrong time.


On September 26, 2005 Jeff Reeves wrote:

> In a word: no.
> 
> I believe that AMC anted up for enough new sheetmetal for the Matador coupe that it definitely wouldn't be a direct bolt on. Core support would likely be different, if nothing else, and I would speculate that the fenders wouldn't align correctly with the more slab-sided wagon doors.
> 
> But, with some effort and determination, anything could be possible! A coupe front on a wagon body would definitely be an interesting project.
> 
> Jeff Reeves
> Auburn GA
> 94 Cherokee
> 79 Spirit GT
> 73 Javelin 401
> 72 Javelin SST
> 69 Ambassador DPL
> 
> Message-ID: <20050926032717.69296.qmail@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: Sun, 25 Sep 2005 20:27:17 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Jesse <j2sax@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Mat Coupe Front Clip in Ambo Wagon? Marc?
> To: mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> 
> SO I have this 6 cyl Coupe with no title.  I really
> like the big Wagons, but I HATE the 75 up Ambo big
> nose look.
> 
> Would a Coupe front clip work on an Ambo wagon?  I
> know AMC is the ultimate for getting it's money's
> worth from a platform!  I know this sounds crazy...
> but wouldn't it be cool!
> 
> Just dreaming on a Sun evening!
> 
> Have a great week,
> 
> Jesse
> 
> 
> 
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