Research Project: Mystery Matadors

(I'm not sure if this fits in this section of the forum or not since it is a research project and not a mechanical one. If a moderator knows of a better section to put this then feel free to move it there.)

So I have been looking at the AMC production numbers recently thanks to Eddie at Planet Houston AMX. When I went through the 1971 production numbers I found something a little odd:

For those who don't know, those body numbers are for the 1971 Matador, 71=1971, 1=Matador, 5 8 and 9= Type of body, -7=Matador, -0 I'll get to. 

Now, the -7 at the end of half of the models is on every matador known to exist. If you notice, it shows that there were only 6 -0 models produced, 1 wagon w/232, 4 wagons w/304, and 1 hardtop w/360. What I am trying to solve is what these six cars were exactly. I have contacted Eddie at Planet Houston AMX and he said that this is a mystery that he's been trying to solve for 38 years now. I have (unfortunately) no evidence to start with except the number of cars produced and the body numbers.

Here's what I know, these are NOT the matador machines nor the matador "Go package," Those were body number 7185-2. The last 3 digits of the body number (2 for some) is on every VIN number. After looking through all the VIN decoders I could find, nothing mentioned a -0 having anything to do with the matador, I only found 1 source that said the -0 was for the 2-seater gremlin (which was true). So if any of you have worked at amc in 1971 or happen to know these -0 models. Please notify me, apparently this is a huge amc mystery and I think i'm the first one to start thoroughly researching it. Thank you! I will keep posting on this topic every time I find useful information.

when I saw the page layout I remembered him showing the Javelin data in a similar grouping long before anyone else had it. (long before the internet for that matter)

I personally wouldn't say Eddie stole it,

he has a pretty good web site, and puts the info out there for everyone.

Anyone using another's info should declare the source,

but the info is no good if it's not publicized,

so maybe Eddie could do it better but I'm glad he keeps his AMC pages going,

this hobby needs all the people promoting it we can get.