My name is Greg Palumbo and this is my story

I have been involved with Ramblers all my life my Father and  Uncle had Ramblers between them e.g. a light Blue 1966 Classic , a 1968 Dark Maroon (Rustic ) Rambler Matador . I remember my Uncle’s Rebel and I remember very well my Fathers Matador so when it came time to purchase my first car I could think of nothing I wanted more than a Rambler! 

So my  first car was a 1976 Light Blue Matador which I sold about a year and a half later . Some years went by and I decided I wanted  another one . My Father said there’s two guys I see working on cars from time to time with Ramblers .

So I popped in one day to see them and to talk about  Ramblers. The two gentlemen were none other then Jeff and Steven Fripp . They told me about the Car club and to join , so  I did.  How  lucky I was to have met  the Fripps and later not much later joined the club, where I have met the nicest and most sincere people you could ever wish to meet  . The Fripps mentioned to me that there was a Rambler Matador advertised in the paper and that I should look at it . I purchased a 1971  Rambler Matador from Mr Bill Rowe, Jims late father, both of Mascot Motors.  

The original owner was Mr Harry Teasel who had the Rambler for about 30 years . Harry looked after the car very well , he cared for the Rambler immensely  . My Family and I have had lots of  fun in the car club in our Rambler these past 10 years .  My Father has a 1966 Classic  which he has had for the past 6 years and has been in the club for as long Both cars are on club plates . My Rambler has had some work done on the interior . The Engine has not been rebuilt  , also the duco is original light Green in Colour ( Willow ).  Steven and in particular Jeff have helped me maintain my car over the years for which I’m most grateful . It had  95, 000 miles when I bought the car  , It now has approx  105, 000 miles . My idea is to keep the car in good original order and to just enjoy driving and owning a Rambler .

Editor Note: Greg is Vice President of the Club and a very keen and active member along with his father Mr (Elia) Palumbo. Greg’s lovely wife Sue is always a smile a minute and an enthusiastic member as well.

The interior is immaculate.

“Hey…Toro!”

The Matador replaced the AMC Rebel, which had been marketed since 1967. With a facelift and a new name, the AMC Matadors were available as a two-door hardtop as well as a four-door sedan and station wagon. The sedan and wagon models "offered excellent value and were fairly popular", including as a police car. Manufactured in Australia at Port Melbourne, (AMI) Engine sizes offered were, 232 cu in (3.8 L) 6 cyl, 258 cu in (4.2 L) 6 cyl, 304 cu in (5.0 L) V8, 360 cu in (5.9 L) V8 and a 401 cu in (6.6 L) V8 Transmission Gearboxes were, 3-speed manual, 4-speed manual, 3-speed Shift-Command or Torque-Command automatic. Wheelbase 114 in (2,896 mm) coupe, 118 in (2,997 mm) sedan/wagon. Length 209.3 in (5,316 mm) coupe 206.1 in (5,235 mm), sedan 205 in (5,207 mm), wagon Height 51.8 in (1,316 mm) coupe53.8 in (1,367 mm) sedan 56.4 in (1,433 mm) wagon.

LAPD purchased over 600 of these vehicles - (serving from 1973-1986)

Most, if not all, have sadly been destroyed or crashed in the movies of the 70's and 80's.

It is the same model car seen on the police series "Adam-12."

LAPD (Los Angles Police Department) USA,  Rampart Division livery on a 1972 Matador.