History Harold Murphy's "El Matador" Story, Pt. 1...

While you are at it, hide the black plastic A/C vents and the ancient airride paddle switches. (which are for some ungodly reason are mounted on the bottom of the p***enger side of the dash!?!?)
Thanks for giving this historical kustom the parts it deserves and wringing the 90s out of it..... Bravo!!!!

 

Big thanks to Johnny for the interview! Awesome as always!!!!

 

My favorite custom.Thanks for the interview with Murphy, looking forward to round two Having did so much work on my abone, seeing what he started witH, My HATS off to anybody that did that much work. I still got the old magazines when they were following the resto.

 

Several threads of the Rumblers show on here with lots of pics of "El Matador" I was there,the car got alot of well deserved attention and best of show

 

I wonder why the model companies didn't make a model kit of the Matador back in the sixties. They were making kits of just about every car guys were building. I admired the car myself as a teenager.

 

Loved it when it first was shown at cobo detroit.To rebuild it after the fire is monumental.Hope to see the 90's touches reversed but if not just glad it is still around.

 

Thanks to all for the great comments !

Murph sent me some cool photos of the build from his personal collection and I'll be adding them to Part 2. I hope to be finished with the editing, text, and, posting by this weekend...Monday for sure.

Here's the re-post of the Part 1 Link for any who may have missed it:
http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage156.html

Jonnie

 

Didn't AMT model company have this car awhile, and Bud Anderson drove it some then because he was the Kat from AMT. I thought he was the reason for the 289 motor that got put in there at his request. I also hrard he said it was too low to drive back then driving it around Michigan. But like ya'll said, I don't know why AMT never made a model of it, I bet they were thinking of it.I love it on the cover of R&C when it first come out. I remember when they showed the resurection in Custom Rodder , I can't believe it came out as good as it did. I'm glad its still around to look at!

 

Cory,

There is a pic of Anderson and the car (courtesy of the Rikster) on the page featuring PART 1 of Murph's telling of the story. Click-on the Link above to see the pix & hear Murph's comments.

In PART 2 he covers the engine swaps that the car went through. As I stated in my previous Post , I hope to have PART 2 finished by the Weekend, or by Monday for sure !

Thanks for your kind words ! When you see the pix of the restoration Murph sent me for PART 2, you'll understand what an accomplishment the resurrection was !

Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net

 

Had many conversations with Bud "The Cat" Anderson. The reason the Ford engine was installed was that the car toured with the Ford Cavalcade of Customs and Ford wanted it to have a Ford engine. It was installed by Dearborn Steel Tubing, who did special projects for Ford. It was a 289 Hi-Po with a four speed. That was what was in it when I owned it.
When I owned the car, it had been raised two inches in the rear as can be seen in the picture on Jonnie Kings site.
http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage156.html
Bud Anderson said that the reason the model wasn't made as a model, was the the convex panels on the four fenders made it impractical.
Bud drove it a lot, but feared having a wreck and the car not having door handles.

 

Wondering why there is never any motor pictures of the El Matador. Does anybody have pictures for my friend who is building 1:25 scale model and could use the detail if available. El Matador is one of those cars that will always be an Icon in the Custom Car industry. Hope to see some more detail pictures of the El Matador.

 

I posted on your other post asking for the engine picture, and I think it should be posted here also.
The El Matador had two different engines. I don't have a picture of the Ford 289 Hypo that it had when I owned it, but the original engine was this Oldsmobile.

 

Does anybody have pictures from the original "El Matador" before the fire, of the drive train / underside and motor with hood open? Friend of mine is building a 1:25 resin body "El Matador" with opening doors, functional steering, etc... Will post some progress pictures soon. Would appreciate it if you have motor pictures to please share. The car is one of the all time best customs. Thanks!
<!-- / message -->

 

Thank you Hotod40 for the picture, is the manifold painted whit in this picture?
Thanks again.

 

I love this car I p*** by the shop where it was built all the time and always think about the car. I wish someone could take it back to Bakersfield Ca. for a show so we can see it in person I’ve only seen pictures but it’s part of our history as a community. I’m grateful to the person who restored it for keeping our history alive.