AMC Matador Touch Up Paint (31 OEM Colors)

The Color Breakdown

Back in the '70s, AMC didn't just paint cars; they threw a party. With 31 recorded colors for the Matador, they really went for it. Whether your driveway is home to a Sun Orange speedster, a Firecracker Red coupe, or a Lime Green cruiser that looks like it escaped from a citrus grove, you're working with a palette that was designed to stand out. AMC was never one for "subtle," and that's exactly why we love them.

What to Watch For

The Matador usually wears a factory finish called "Lustre-Guard" acrylic enamel. While it was tough for its time, decades of sunshine can leave the surface looking a bit "chalky" or faded. You'll also want to keep an eye on the lower quarters and the edges of those iconic oversized doors, as the paint there tends to get thin from years of road debris. To find your specific color match, open the driver's door and look at the door jamb. You're searching for a small metal tag or sticker-the paint code is typically two digits long. If it's not there, pop the hood and check the firewall near the heater box; AMC liked to keep us guessing on a Monday morning.

Driveway Repair Tip

Because many Matador colors are heavy on the metallics-think Quicksilver or Mocha Brown Metallic-your biggest hurdle isn't the color, it's the sparkle. These metallic flakes like to settle at the bottom of the bottle like tired teenagers. Shake your touch-up bottle for a full 60 seconds (time it!) to wake them up. When applying, avoid the temptation to fill a chip with one big glob. Instead, dab on a thin layer, let it dry for 20 minutes, and repeat. If the match looks a little "darker" than your car, it just means your original paint has faded slightly over the last 50 years-getting it perfect requires patience, so work in the shade and take your time.