page_title: AMC Matador
section_title: 1972
hierarchical_section_title: AMC Matador / First generation (1971–1973) / 1972
caption_attribution_description: English: 1972 AMC Matador two-door hardtop.
context_page_description: The AMC Matador is a car model line manufactured and marketed by American Motors Corporation across two generations, 1971–1973 and 1974–1978, in two-door hardtop, coupe, four-door sedan and station wagon body styles.
  With its second generation, the Matador became AMC's largest automobile after the 1974 discontinuation of the Ambassador that shared the same platform. Premium trim levels of the second generation Matador coupe were marketed as the Barcelona and Oleg Cassini positioning the coupe in the personal luxury segment.
  Abroad, Matadors were also marketed under the Rambler marque and were assembled under license, including in Mexico by Vehículos Automotores Mexicanos and in Australia with right-hand-drive by Australian Motor Industries.
context_section_description: The 1972 Matador was built in sedan, two-door hardtop, and station wagon body styles. 
  In 1972 the innovative AMC Buyer Protection Plan was introduced. This was the automobile industry's first 12-month or 12,000 miles (19,312 km) bumper-to-bumper warranty. American Motors started with an emphasis on quality and durability by focusing on its component sourcing, improving production that included reducing the number of models, as well mechanical upgrades and increasing the level of standard equipment. This was followed by an innovative promise to its customers to repair anything wrong with the car (except for tires). Owners were provided with a toll-free number to the company, as well as a free loaner car if a warranty repair took overnight. The objective was to reduce warranty claims, as well as achieve better public relations along with greater customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  The previous Borg-Warner sourced "Shift-Command" three-speed automatic transmission was replaced by the Chrysler-built TorqueFlite three-speed automatic that AMC marketed as "Torque-Command." The column-shift three-speed manual continued as the standard transmission, but the optional four-speed manual was discontinued.
  Externally the 1972 model was the same as the 1971 model, retaining the same front end but with a simplified grille. The chrome trunk lid strip and rear corner chrome of the 1970 Rebel and 1971 Matador was dropped. The 1972 model was given a new tail light lens assembly with each assembly divided into nine recessed vertically rectangular lenses. Interior-wise the 1972 model saw the return of the round instrument dials of earlier Ambassador and 1967 Rebel models. The steering wheel was the same as the 1970 Rebel and 1971 Matador models. New for the 1972 model were slimmer arm rests for the doors and a bench seat without the fold-down center armrests. Individual reclining front seats were an option.
caption: 1972 AMC Matador two-door hardtop
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