Well, it does, indeed, handle like a matador. Don't forget, this was 1974 with heavy bumpers. The vehicle wasn't designed for the testdriver market. A typical housewife transporting a couple bags of groceries probably averaged a sever stop every 6 months or so.
I never heard ANYONE say that generation Matador coupe was a good handler. Seems even with the Matador 'X' package, it was all show, not much 'go'. Brochure indicates a 'handling package' was optional (stiffer springs and shocks, plus rear sway bar), but wasn't standard on the Matador X. (Should have been....) I would hazard a guess that the car in the video didn't come with that option. Shame on AMC for not making sure the media loaner had proper equipment.
Bud was my Hero back then (and his test drivers!!!!) they did honest road tests on the same track every time. I used to look forward to his tests on every episode of Car and Track. Miss that show!
Must have been a local mid-west syndication thing thing - I never saw those reports on the west coast.
Those mid-west syndication conspiracies hold true. Here in Europe, I saw television series which were not conceived for southern and mid-west audiences.
I had heard Lindemann's name before, but I never saw his syndicated show. Don't think any of our local stations ever picked it up. First car-related show I remember watching was Autoweek with John Davis, on PBS.
It was on CBS back in the late 60's to the mid 70's. I don't know if every CBS affiliate ran the show but it was great. A lot of Muscle cars put thru there paces along with some economy cars and even a motor home or two. You never knew exactly what would be tested. A lot of Nascar coverage along with Indy car, and some sprint racing. They always had a car review. They mostly used the Waterford Hills Michigan road coarse for there testing. I raced there years later and recognized the track from the old series.
Bud is brutally honest is his review. Gotta admire that. The track footage is great. The Matador looks, to quote Bud, "like a flyin' brick". As per Krash, I don't think his show was ever available in Ontario, even though we got the CBS affiliate broadcast from Buffalo. I used to watch John Davis and Autoweek in the early '80s too. Wonder if the show is still on PBS?
That must be why I don't watch it anymore. 975 channels provided by our cable provider and Velocity isn't one of them.
Jim535, I used to watch a show called Driver's Seat from Canada. Would have run late 80's to early 90's. Hosted by two guys, Tony Whitney and Jeremy (can't remember last name). And yes, Motor week with John Davis is still on. 2016 was their 35th anniversary.
