In the 1970s, American Motors faced the same problem as the other manufacturers of “pony cars” were experiencing: declining sales. The slowdown in demand for muscle cars rubbed off onto that sector and it was enough for both AMC and Chrysler to exit the market at the end of 1974. AMC’s entry was the Javelin, which had been in business since 1968. This nice 2nd-generation Javelin is from 1972 and looks to be a survivor-quality vehicle, though we wonder about the paint. Located in Gilbert, Arizona, this 5th-year Javelin in SST trim is available here on craigslist for $19,500. Another Kenosha tip from Tony Primo!
The Javelin only received one major refresh of the sheet metal which came about in 1971. The car gained a significantly longer hood and risers in the fenders over the front wheels. Two models were available in 1972, the SST and the AMX, which had been demoted from being a separate car in ’71. Of just 23,000 Javelin SSTs assembled in 1972, 2/3 or 14,000 had the 304 cubic inch V8, the smallest engine that wasn’t a six-cylinder. The seller’s car is one of them and has a 3-speed manual transmission, which we’re guessing saw less demand than the automatic or 4-speed.
With 78,000 miles, the seller’s Javelin is said to have had a bit of work done mechanically. Some suspension pieces have been replaced (bushings and shock absorbers) along with the brakes and a new aluminum radiator. No mention is made if a deep dive has ever been needed on the small V8 and the manual transmission. All-in-all, the car is described as being an “awesome” driver.
The interior is original and presents well enough though the steering wheel has had its finish worn down by years of use and exposure to sunlight. We suspect the paint is newer as it looks nicer than the interior and the color is reminiscent of the “Big Bad” colors that AMC used a couple of years earlier, in this case, Go Green. The suggestion of a repaint comes in part due to the placement of the body stripes, which the photos I’ve seen of other Javelins show on the sides of the auto. But if you’re looking to stand out from the Mustangs and Camaros of the era, could this Javelin be in your future?
The steering wheel has a lot of wear for 78,000 miles it seems to me.
The sport wheels were molded in black and painted to match other interior colors and it didn’t take long for the paint to wear through, wasn’t as noticeable on the dark blue or green wheels.
There was a code D1 called Jolly Green Met. for the 72, can’t tell if that is the color on this car or not but it has been repainted . Engine compartment should be the same color not black. Black hood stripe is not correct either and Javelins never had a trunk stripe. All in all looks like a nice driver car and the 3 speed adds to it.
The venerable 3-speed manual that was once as common as dirt is now an oddity. I’m going to hedge a guess that the bulk of these were automatics with the manuals dividing up the rest. Cool car in a great/modern color. Interior looks good in spite of the tear in the driver seat. Looks like a car with a lot of fun factor.
I had a 71 in a darker green with a 3 speed in the floor. A small V8 but it was a blast to drive. Fell asleep at the wheel after a 14 hour day
Wrecked and warped the frame at 35 mph (into a drain ditch). Honestly believe I would have kept that car for years. Miss it even today.
I have not seen a lot of 3 speed manuals on the floor. I must have missed that. Seen a whole lot of three on the trees though, my 1978 Chevy C10 even had one. Nice vehicle if you can get past the AMC quirkiness.
That apparently was an AMC thing. Gremlins also had three-onna-floor.
Hornets, I believe, had a column shift; but few were made that way.
I’d frankly be wary of that three-speed – it might be okay, upgraded for use with the V8; but the Warner Gear three-speed used with the Gremlin six, simply did not hold up. Mine had about 70k miles when, doing a hard acelleration up a short merge ramp, I bent/broke the 3-4 shift fork. I was stuck in 3rd, and once I got out of it, I only had L and R.
There were no transmissions in our local boneyard network. This was pre-Internet, circa 1987, and there was no way of knowing what was across the country. Nor was anyone interested in looking, and I had a busted Gremlin.
Some second-rate shop did rebuilds on them; I had one put in and it failed right away. They took it out, put a second rebuild in, and I sold that thing, fast.
Maybe it’s a different transmission; but back then, when there were still original Gremlins about, the weakness of that transmission was well-known.
I meant, stuck in second.
The 2-3 shift fork.
I had the same year Javelin as this with the same power train. Same thing happened to mine at about 90,000 miles. Was just too expensive to repair so I got rid of mine too. Only paid about 800.00 dollars for it when I bought it.
GM had 3-speed floor shifts as well. At some point in the early 70s I had a friend with a 67 Corvair 500 with a three speed floor shift, and another friend with a 67 Firebird convertible, OHC6, with a three speed floor shift.
As did Chrysler. I had a 3 speed on the floor ’73 Challenger.
Most Jeeps had floor shifted 3 speeds for decades and they held up well. In the early 70s, I think the 3 speed was the only transmission you could get with the 304 V8, other than the slush box. The 4 speed was only available with the 258 cu straight 6.
Called em 3 by the knee 🦵 Fox
My sister’s Chevy Nova had 3 on the floor. I can’t quite remember the year maybe a 1972 . Seems it had a 307 in it. Still a lot of fun to drive.
Love the lines on this car but a little steep on price. I can’t imagine driving in Arizona with no A/C but here it is.
A friend and I did one year ! Of course we were from Michigan so back then a/c want a big deal. In AZ we drove with the windows only down far enough to make the air move rapidly in the truck. Towels on the seats and lean forward a lot. Even my motorcycle was hot at event red light !
In the summer, I used to slip a t shirt over the backrest on my ’66 Mustang 6 cyl 3 speed on the floor.
Removed by the author.
sold!!
I am not the least bit surprised that this is Gone.
Some of the early Mustangs had 3 speed manuals and were fun and pretty quick with the 289 engine.
Had a ‘66 coupe with the 3 spd, I-6 w/ split exhaust at the manifold, Cherry Bombs.
Thought that car was all that and a bag of chips being as it was my 1st Detroit machine, having transitioned from a ‘61 Midget..
Had one, and it was fun. 4 wheel drum brakes were pretty scary though.
I remember back in 1973, while in Basic Training at Ft. Dix. NJ, I met a Sargent from my home state. After starting a conversation I found out he was from the same town I was born in! He drove a brand new 1972 AMX he ordered special, in red body with a few stripes and red/white interior with every option available, including the 401/4brl dual sides exhaust with hood induction, 4 speed wide ratio with 3:09 posi rear. We made a deal to split gas on weekends to go back home, I ended up hooking up with his beautiful girlfriends awesome young sister all summer long after Basic Training and Advanced Individualized Training, till he had to ship out! That was the weekend he asked me to drive him to the airport, then back to his girlfriend’s house to safely park is AMX in her garage. Then I rode my 1973 Yamaha DT3 250 Enduro back to Ft. Dix! From Seekonk, MA that was home at my parents house. The last 4 weeks of the summer I rode that bike back and forth 442 miles round trip at 65-70 mph!
Thank you for serving our country !
Friend of mine had a 68 Javelin with the 290 backed with a 3 on the floor….it really didn’t need the 4 speed to make a good, economical commuter.
Always liked these body styles, so much more distinct than the others in its class. Becoming more and more difficult to find in good or restorable condition. But the price has to meet the means at the end. A friend has a ’72 he is taking a full redo to it, frame up, custom metal wide fenders, dropped a Hellcat Engine it. It should be done late this fall and will be show ready. Grand total he tells me, from purchase to finish, around $118K. Doesn’t care about the $$ so it is what it is.
I never saw one, but the base Vette had a floor mounted 3-speed for a number of years. The two 4-Speeds and auto were options.
I’m sort of surprised that folks think a three speed with the shifter on the floor is so rare. Plenty of cars had them. My 1967 Mustang fastback with a 390 had one. Second gear ran out to 80 or so MPH. Third gear got you to whatever was approaching zero past the 120MPH limit on the speedometer. I’m sure the bias-ply tires that I was running back then were NOT rated for that speed. Thanks again guardian angel.
Mentioned Guardian Angel! I remember back in 1972, right after getting my license, my wonderful Mom let me take the family car out on a double date with a couple friends. That was a 68 Chrysler Town&Country Beach Wagon, Dad ordered special when forced at the time to trade his beloved 64 Imperial Crown Coupe in on something with three rows to accommodate another sibling. Well my buddy and I had just dropped the girls off and feeling the need for speed listening to Magic Carpet Ride. We pulled on the highway and I floored that big ol 440/4 brl dual exhaust TNT! Within a minute we looked down at the speedometer to see the needle go passed 120 over into the clock at 9:00!!!! That 440 was screaming! On big ol bias ply tires Firestone Town&Country snows on the rear!