Wait a minute... THAT Matador?

Check Fleabay auction #s 260096998031 and 260097898922 ...

Looks like the same guy with the Fieros, and he diddled with the wheels here too...

But it's the fastback Matador. That's not what the pic on the Motormax site shows...

Hey, I think it's cool anyway, I'm just surprised...

--rick

I bought one of his Matadors; I agree the centerline wheels may not look all that great. This is why I'm making mine into a Bobby Allison Penske NASCAR--remember he drove one back in the day.

*Don't CRUSH 'em....RESTORE 'em!*

-Rick

That looks correct for a '75. Their website says '75 but shows a '73. Motormax seems to have problems getting the facts right on some of their cars (their AG '76 Caprice is labeled a '77, the '71-73 Pinto labeled a '70, etc).

That looks correct for a '75. Their website says '75 but shows a '73. Motormax seems to have problems getting the facts right on some of their cars (their AG '76 Caprice is labeled a '77, the '71-73 Pinto labeled a '70, etc).


In fact, I consider the 1/60 Ford Pinto of Fresh cherries like a 1973 model :rolleyes: , with more bigger bumpers than a 1971-72 but more smaller than 1974 and after

In fact, I consider the 1/60 Ford Pinto of Fresh cherries like a 1973 model :rolleyes: , with more bigger bumpers than a 1971-72 but more smaller than 1974 and after

Yes, those bumper guards look like a '73..I think the '71-72 had smaller ones..I haven't seen an early Pinto in 1:1 for a looooong time.

I haven't seen an early Pinto in 1:1 for a looooong time.[/QUOTE]

Most have been turned into barbeque grills.

Yes, those bumper guards look like a '73..I think the '71-72 had smaller ones..I haven't seen an early Pinto in 1:1 for a looooong time.

Yes, that is correct, Also the Runabout model, or hatchback version as depicted in the casting has the larger rear window like the 72 and up version. All 71's, including the Runabout (which I think came out at midyear) had the smaller rear window like the coupe.

I haven't seen an early Pinto in 1:1 for a looooong time.

Most have been turned into barbeque grills.

The last Pinto I saw last year was wrecked at a compact demo derby at a local fair. He did take second place to an AMC spirit. The pinto didn't even catch on fire once!

So if the Fieros are out on the pegs and there is no picture on the MM web site and the Matador is out, is there any other surprises people have come across?


I like this type of surprise and take them all day long. On the Fiero, as noted unless it is a Indy Fiero it can't be a 1984 but it is dead on for 1985 s long as you fix the sail panel.

Here's a tip Adam figured out by accident. The rear engine lid does pry up and for those customizers out there who like to do Spoilers, if you shear an engine in half and black the area out it would make a killer Spoiler!!!! The lid is plastic as well so you can cut on it easier. This casting also has two screws in it rather than the common one in front with the rear tab. The rims are dead on and with a little black paint/water application these rims will be awesome.

Yes, that is correct, Also the Runabout model, or hatchback version as depicted in the casting has the larger rear window like the 72 and up version. All 71's, including the Runabout (which I think came out at midyear) had the smaller rear window like the coupe.

I agree with you Jim with the bumpers must be a ´73 model, but the larger rear window came only with the Runabout, it was launched in the summer of 1971 like a 1972 model, and the smaller rear window was only for the 2 door fastback sedan (with an independient trunk door, not likely a hatchback)

I agree with you Jim with the bumpers must be a ´73 model, but the larger rear window came only with the Runabout, it was launched in the summer of 1971 like a 1972 model, and the smaller rear window was only for the 2 door fastback sedan (with an independient trunk door, not likely a hatchback)

This drove me crazy because I could swear the 71 Runabout had a smaller window than the 72-up versions. Well, looks like we were both right, kind of. The 71 did have a smaller window than the 72-up versions but, it was not the same as the coupe, it was larger, nor the same as the 72-up versions.which were larger. It also had chrome strips on the decklid like a Chevy Nomad form the 55-58 era, also specific to the 71 models. I found an ad for one probably not the greatest quality picture but, it shows the back end of the car.

I saw Fieros on the pegs , but no Matadors ..

I found both Matadors (black/yellow) and Fieros (blue/yellow) today. Bought one of each.

No Fieros but the Yellow Matador,yellow Hornet and Brown Hornet.

I bought one of his Matadors; I agree the centerline wheels may not look all that great. This is why I'm making mine into a Bobby Allison Penske NASCAR--remember he drove one back in the day.

*Don't CRUSH 'em....RESTORE 'em!*

-Rick
Like this
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g179/PearsonFan/Allison12Matador.jpg

looks better in color:
http://www.matadorcoupe.com/images/Race_Matador.jpg
http://www.matadorcoupe.com/images/MatX2.jpg
http://www.matadorcoupe.com/images/1975DaytonaAllisonPenske.jpg

Got a black Matador and a blue Fiero today. I'm a little disappointed... the sprayed-on "chrome" on the passenger side, which was against the card so I couldn't see it in the store, is way sloppy. Looks like the paint mask wasn't flush against the body, so the trim is all wide and spray-can-looking...

Still a cool-looking casting. Pics when I get a chance...

--rick

looks better in color:
http://www.matadorcoupe.com/images/Race_Matador.jpg
http://www.matadorcoupe.com/images/MatX2.jpg
http://www.matadorcoupe.com/images/1975DaytonaAllisonPenske.jpg
NICE! where do you guys find all these cool old photos? Very cool! :thumbsup:

Here's some pics of the Matador I got. It's really huge. Looking at the passenger side, you can see the sorta fuzzy overspray from the chrome trim... oops. I REALLY like this casting as far as detail and overall proportions, but I kinda think the wheels are too small for the casting... anybody else?

I attached these to a post in the Fiero thread, and I don't know how else to get them to show here... is there another way to use the same attachments in 2 or more threads?

http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/attachment.php?attachmentid=39283

http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/attachment.php?attachmentid=39284

http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/attachment.php?attachmentid=39285

--rick

Picked up the Matadors today. They looked HUGE hanging out next to the Fiero's.

Today I picked up 2 black, and 2 yellow Matadors. I know the number on the chassis says they are 1/60 scale, yet I was still disappointed to find out that the car is way to long to fit into a car slot in my Giovanni display case, and it is much too long to fit into my 48-car Plano diecast storage case (except for the double long slot on the case). MM needs to make these cars just a little bit shorter.

Of the 4 Matadors I bought, all 4 have back bumpers that are curved or warped. Maybe they're just screwed on too tight, I don't know yet, but it detracts from the rear appearance of the car.

Overall, it's a nice car. Kudos to MM for making it (even with its problems).

Here's some pics of the Matador I got. It's really huge. Looking at the passenger side, you can see the sorta fuzzy overspray from the chrome trim... oops. I REALLY like this casting as far as detail and overall proportions, but I kinda think the wheels are too small for the casting... anybody else?

I attached these to a post in the Fiero thread, and I don't know how else to get them to show here... is there another way to use the same attachments in 2 or more threads?

http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/attachment.php?attachmentid=39283

http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/attachment.php?attachmentid=39284

http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/attachment.php?attachmentid=39285

--rick

Hello Rick,
Since I can't find either of these Matador or Fiero cars (not to my surprise), could you photograph the two cars next to a typical JL (Detroit) type car (Mustang, Mopar. Chevy etc). I want to get an idea of the Matadors size compared to other brands.

Thanks-

Peter

Hello Rick,
Since I can't find either of these Matador or Fiero cars (not to my surprise), could you photograph the two cars next to a typical JL (Detroit) type car (Mustang, Mopar. Chevy etc). I want to get an idea of the Matadors size compared to other brands.

Thanks-

Peter

sure. it might take me a day or two to get down to the dungeon--I mean basement...

--rick

NICE! where do you guys find all these cool old photos? Very cool! :thumbsup:

Google Image Search (http://images.google.com/imghp?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&tab=wi&q=) :thumbsup:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/Ricky2400/matador.jpg

I finaly found 1 yellow Matador today . It is BIG !! Not as big as Jada cars but bigger than other Motormax or JL cars .

could you photograph the two cars next to a typical JL (Detroit) type car (Mustang, Mopar. Chevy etc). I want to get an idea of the Matadors size compared to other brands.
Thanks-
Peter

Peter -
I didn't pick up the Fiero, but here is the Matador in between a JL Mustang and a JL Monaco.
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/medium/IMG_9810.JPG
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/medium/IMG_9812.JPG

Thats pretty nice. To bad its not a 72-73 vintage, I dont think thats ever been done in die cast. I am sure someone is going to post a picture of one now that I said that.

Oh man, I must have some of these Matadors (Fieros are sweet looking too), My grandfather bought 1 new in 75, drove it every other day until 97 when it was sideswiped in front of his house by a Crystal Water truck (they didn't make any friends THAT day :lol: ). He parked it in his garage where it remains to this day as far as I know.

Sweet car, Met.blue with a white vinyl top, he said it had every factory option available, Ihave to take his word for it since I was 6 at the time. I remember my dad telling me it was the only new car Grandpa ever owned.

A guy where my wife worked had 1, bright orange, blacked out chrome, Weld Dragstars
big'n'littles, bumpers gone, custom rollpans. Really sharp and unique.
The owner told me it had a bored out 403. Sure wish I'd got pics before we moved.


If anyone has a couple spares laying about, I could get behind a trade . Whaddaya need?

BTW, Are these screwed together or riveted?

They're screwed together. I can check WM for a few more.

Peter -
I didn't pick up the Fiero, but here is the Matador in between a JL Mustang and a JL Monaco.


thanks... I put mine aside with a couple JL cars, but I STILL haven't gotten near them with a camera...

--rick

I have a 74 Matador X , Metallic Green . I need to find these Matadors because I have been waiting along time for a company to come out with this diecast . If it is nice this weekend I will take some good pics of my Matador and post them here .
If anybody has any extra Matadors maybee we can set up a trade .

I FINALLY found these two Matadors!!! They look real nice but all of the ones I picked up (4 total) have pushed in rear bumpers....gonna have to fix those.

I found the Matadors today as well. Good to see someone else do the same.

JP2

Still searching in Illinois! All of the other Fresh Cherries I found fairly easy (though it did take awhile to find the 71 Mustang), but the Matadors and Fieros have somehow alluded me.

Still searching in Illinois! All of the other Fresh Cherries I found fairly easy (though it did take awhile to find the 71 Mustang), but the Matadors and Fieros have somehow alluded me.

I still haven't seen the Fieros.

JP2

the base on the Matadors say 1/60 scale but, for some reason, they look bigger than that to me. I did see the Fieros when I found the Matadors but did not pick them up as I typically don't collect much past the late 70's (except GM a/G bodies and Gm B body cars)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b228/PropMonster/ToyAuto_Zylmex/MotorMaxAMCMatador752.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b228/PropMonster/ToyAuto_Zylmex/MotorMaxAMCMatador751.jpg

This is the first time I have ever seen these for sale, other than from a seller at our toy show, once. I got this near Syracuse. It still has not appeared in stores in my area yet!

I still haven't seen that one either,The walmart I was at today seems to keep restocking the older waves of pintos and gremlins :(

I still haven't seen that one either,The walmart I was at today seems to keep restocking the older waves of pintos and gremlins :(

Yes the local W-M to me also only has a bunch of recolored early issue models. These include new colors of the first sets of castings : Pinto, Mustang II, Maverick, Pacer,Gremlin etc ! The in absentia Matador and Fiero are not there although they were on the pegs previously. This indicates to me that he who waits will find the desired new castings in the future.
No need to panic!

Hopefully they show up eventually.

Another WM out by me has had the same three brown chevettes sitting there for at least 3 months,are they waiting until they sell all of them before they restock?