AMC : Other BARCELONA II

This listing is for the outright as-is sale of a 1977 AMC MATADOR BARCELONA II

As described below. Please read my feedback; many buyers say the item was better than described.

I try to tell it like it is and I sometimes may be too critical.   I will describe the good and bad.

All this said. this car presents nicely as-is and the driveline certainly seems solid and well taken care of.

I would say the car is : “ good to very good DRIVER QUALITY needing paint and resto for show quality ”

But remember I am a little critical… come see it yourself in 43138 OHIO

1977 MATADOR BARCELONA II COUPE with a 360 V8 and AUTOMATIC Transmission.

The car is in good to very good condition needing mostly a caring owner.

The most interesting thing about this car is the connection of it's OPERA WINDOW TO NASCAR-

I have copied info found on the web below describing the AERODYNAMIC STYLING of THIS PARTICULAR MODEL—THE BARCELONA II—and the direct connection to ROGER PENSKE AND MARK DONOHUE ---

Past and present racing royalty.

More Matador description below racing and other information found on the web---<<<

Barcelona

In 1976. a "Barcelona" option offered an alternative to the personal luxury cars offered by other automakers such as the Chrysler Cordoba and Chevrolet Monte Carlo. [38] For 1977 and 1978. the "Barcelona II" coupe featured a padded Landau roof and opera windows. styling cues that were required at that time by buyers in the highly popular two-door "personal luxury" market segment. At first it was available in only one distinctive two-tone paint pattern consisting of Golden Ginger Metallic with Sand Tan. For the 1977 model year. the Barcelona came in a second color scheme: an Autumn Red Metallic on Claret Metallic combination. For its final production in 1978. the Barcelona model was also available on the four-door sedan body style.

The Barcelona included numerous comfort and appearance upgrades in addition to the extensive standard equipment that came on all Matadors. The special items were: individual reclining seats in velveteen crush fabric with woven accent stripes. custom door trim panels. unique headliner. headlight bezels painted accent color. black trunk carpet. rear sway bar. GR78x15 radial whitewall tires. color-keyed slot styled wheels. body color front and rear bumpers. two-tone paint. landau padded vinyl roof. opera quarter windows with accents. dual remote control mirrors painted body color. Barcelona medallion on glove box door and fenders. 24 oz (680 g) carpeting and bumper nerfing strips. The standard roll-down rear quarter windows were converted into fixed "opera windows" with fiberglass covers over the stock openings that were finished with padded vinyl inside and out.

Motor Trend magazine road tested a 1977 Barcelona II coupe and found it to be equal to all in the objective areas. as well as one of the most distinctive vehicles on the road that "makes a good deal of sense. if you're not put off by the Matador's unique lines. "[39]

NASCAR racing[

Penske Racing prepared factory-backed Matador hardtops and coupes were used in NASCAR stock car tracks. Drivers included Indy winner Mark Donohue and Bobby Allison. and they won a number of races. The company's effort "raised eyebrows" for many NASCAR veterans because AMC was not known for cultivating a racing image. [40] Racing pundits "initially scoffed at the notion of an AMC entry" on the circuit. but "the Matador acquired a fan following of its own. "[41]

Holman-Moody built a pair of 1972 2-door hardtop "Bull Fighters" for Penske as the marque's first attempt at NASCAR in 1973. [42] The Matador was one of the first oval stock car to use disc brakes. [40] After Donohue won the Western 500 with the first generation Matador hardtop with four wheel discs. other teams soon followed with the upgrade. [43]

The new 1974 coupe replaced the previous "flying brick" two-door hardtop design. [44] Penske was quoted as saying that they did what they could with the old hardtop. and it did better on tracks with more curves and fewer straightaways. Donohue did not survive to drive the new aerodynamically designed fastback coupe. that many believe was aimed at NASCAR racing. The five wins for the AMC Matador are:

Bobby Allison also won the non-points Daytona 125 qualifying race on 13 February 1975. and finished second in the Daytona 500 three days later.

First. buy a Matador Coupe because they will highly collectible. I am realistic enough to realize that the coupe is a rare car. and will attain the collectible status. If you simply like the car. and enjoy it's looks and character. then by all means get one. They are not all that rare. although it is getting more difficult to find one in pristine condition. Look for a Coupe that is complete. with as little body damage as possible. and with as many options as possible. X. Brougham. Cassini and Barcelona/Barcelona II trim packages are your best bets. although base models can be dressed nicely. too. As with any older car. the less things missing or broken. the happier you will be. Glass. lights. rubber seals. metal trim. and interior pieces are all unique to the Coupe. so those should be a high priority. If the engine or tranny is trashed. but the car is complete and in good shape otherwise. get it. Any AMC 6 or 8 cyl. engine and transmission from 1970-1987 will fit. including the 232/258 6 cyl. . and the 268/304/360/401 V8. The earlier AMC 268/290/343 and 390 V8s will also work.

The Barcelona included numerous comfort and appearance upgrades in addition to the extensive stMany contemporary observers assumed the sleek styling was dictated by the need for better aerodynamics on the high-speed NASCAR ovals; Mark Donohue hadn't called the old Matador a brick simply because he didn't like its looks. a. The special items were: individual reclining seats in velveteen crush fabri

-The Matador that your Dad gave you was most likely a 1974 Matador D/L coupe. When Penske racing tested the Matador coupe on the Nascar superspeedways they found that the big quarter window created too much aerodynamic drag. To solve this problem they had AMC create the D/L Barcelona II package. with the small “porthole” rear quarter window. They had to offer it as a production model because Nascar rules stated that 500 of a car model must be available to the public to qualify it as a stock item that could be used on the tracks. If you see a picture of Penske's first 1974 Matador prototype it has the big rear window. When it hits it's first race. the Winston Western 500. it had the small quarter window. When asked about the rear window treatment. Penske replied it was a “Penske window” which is what you might have heard your dad say when you got the car. despite what was said in this site. the AMC Matador won 3 races in 1975. and finished in the top 5 10 times in 17 races. despite it being the only Matador on the track. Hope this helps you. c with woven

So there you go---

The Barcelona II street car was designed  for eligibility to race the  PENSKE "OPERA" window in mid-seventies NASCAR-

(and those of you familiar with PENSKE know he has great taste/style)

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SSo there you go

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The The car you are considering here is a very solid car needing very little to be ready to make the local cruise ins and grab the attention away from those Mustangs / Camaros / Chevelles and GTOs—

If you want a super CONCOURS show car---stick this one in the shop and work it over a little—

The “UH-OH” better get MAACO paint job is a twenty footer ----actually the car looks pretty darn good though.

Below are some bullet points to consider – if you are bidding or have questions please email me for answers----communication is important so if you want the car contact me and lets talk.

Car is in 43138 OHIO and I could rent a trailer and deliver it to you for fuel. trailer and reasonable delivery fee.   Car is sold AS IS/ WHERE IS (43138 OHIO) with no refund or warranty SO PLEASE ASK ALL QUESTIONS –

$1000 non refundable PAYPAL deposit due within 48 hours of winnng will hold it for up to 7 days--- full payment due by 7 full days of auction close---

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Vinyl top needs replacing -- sun baked

Exhaust needs new mufflers --- but has great headers—needs TLC on pipes –

Solid body with minimal rust issue overall with lower wheel opening rust

On one side of lower QP. will need a fabricated section about the size of a piece of White bread—

Where the body rusted from wheel spray--- There is slight bubbling at the chrome strip on hood.

Floors are good with a small patch needed in trunk floor----small like size of playing card—

Drivers door jamb has some HD surface rust that needs attention. (no holes jamb just needs

One step treatment and smoothing/paint)

The car is an A/C car BUT THERE IS NO COMPRESSOR ON OR WITH THE CAR--

Brakes need attention---they stop the car fine—front DISC BRAKE PADS grind and master cylinder sticks down…

Actually it is kinda cool having a pedal that you must pull up on to get the car to roll.

I have never had a Master Cyl do this…. I have seen brake lines swell and affect a wheel but not

 had an AUTOMATIC BRAKE SYSTEM--- I'm thinking an option for people who sit in traffic

a lot….

ALL GLASS IS GOOD IN CAR –there is a shallow windshield wiper scrape that may polish out----not terrible---

Carpet has been replaced but needs to be installed better with clue or two sided tape—

Seats have been recovered in  quilted pattern matching material—in fair to good shape---I say fair because of a few ciggy ash burns---

Back seat looks great----actually front seat is fine for a driver….

FOR THE AGE THIS CAR IS IN GREAT SHAPE

Not perfect but a great head turner as is. Drive it or restore it ---

SO—

Needs Brake and Exhaust work and has some isolated rust concerns but

NOT A TERRIBLY or even BADLY RUSTED CAR—

The MAACO paint job looks good as is --- car has a few

Nicks scratches but looks great overall---

Lets talk / lets rock and figure out how to get your car to you!!!

BUYER RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERY COSTS pick up in 43138

THIS CAR IS FOR SALE AND OFFERED FOR TRADE CURRENTLY IN OTHER

WEB LOCATIONS –SELLER MAY REMOVE LISTING IF SOLD OR TRADED

ELSEWHERE—

TELL ME IF YOU ARE SERIOUSLY INTERESTED SO THAT

I DO NOT ACCEPT TRADE OFFERS I HAVE COMING IN.

Remember selling AS-IS so please ask all questions and any pics you need.

On Jan-06-15 at 13:00:31 PST. seller added the following information:

 The trim rings are missing .

The car has a NICE EDELBROCK 4 BBL CARB and ALUMINUM INTAKE UPGRADE as well as

a NICE SET OF HEDMAN HEADERS.

The car has not been restored so things like weatherstrip and so on should be replaced.

Lights and signals etc work.

Car needs a go over to drive but oil has been recently changed.

As mentioned brakes work but need pads and master cyl--I have not pulled front wheels but I would imagine

Rotors need inspection and repair as necessary -

tailpipes are good and solid. replaced --but look squirrelly to me.

The exhaust and brakes are the major fixes and they both have potential--

the brakes work good stopping the car now. and the headers are nice.

THIS CAR IS SPECIAL - YOU WILL LOVE IT

Want to buy this car?