AMC Matador Parts & Accessories

AMC Matador Parts & Accessories

The AMC Matador succeeded the Rebel nameplate and was produced from 1971 to 1978, serving as AMC's mid-size entry across sedan, coupe, and station wagon body styles. Early models carried over the 360 and 401 cubic-inch V8 options from the Rebel, while the distinctive 1974 to 1978 coupe featured a sharply styled fastback roofline and was campaigned in NASCAR by Roger Penske with Mark Donohue. The wagon version sold strongly to law enforcement fleets. Today, the Matador Coupe in particular is gaining appreciation as an overlooked muscle era classic, with the 401 V8 versions commanding growing collector interest.

Popular Upgrades

Matador owners most often search for exhaust headers for the 360 and 401 V8s, carburetor rebuild kits for the Motorcraft or Holley four-barrel, front disc brake hardware, and polyurethane suspension bushings. The 401 four-barrel with a tuned exhaust and cold air intake produces meaningful power gains on a chassis that responds well to basic performance tuning without requiring major modifications.

What NASCAR history does the AMC Matador have?

Roger Penske fielded AMC Matador coupes in NASCAR from 1974 to 1975 with Mark Donohue as the primary driver. Donohue won the 1973 Riverside 500 in a Matador, AMC's only NASCAR Cup victory. The racing program was primarily a marketing exercise, but it demonstrated that the Matador's platform could be competitive with proper preparation and gave the coupe lasting motorsport credentials.

Did AMC sell the Matador to police fleets?

Yes. The Matador station wagon was one of AMC's most successful fleet vehicles, widely purchased by law enforcement agencies in the early 1970s for its cargo capacity and the available 360 V8's durability under sustained high-speed operation. AMC marketed a dedicated police package for the wagon that included heavy-duty cooling, electrical, and suspension upgrades.

Find exhaust, suspension, and performance parts for your AMC Matador. Browse related categories: exhaust systems, suspension components, and air intake upgrades.