American Motors jumped into the “pony car” game in 1968 with the Javelin. Rather than fund a whole new car, they opted to pick from the existing parts bin (largely the American) to create the car. The seller’s nice-looking 1970 example is from the last year of the first generation (second-gen models ran from 1971-74). This car has a 360 cubic inch V8, which has been rebuilt, but the car was sidelined shortly thereafter due to an electrical issue that still needs sorting out. Located in Snohomish, Washington, this project of sorts is available here on craigslist for $7,500. Another fine tip brought to us by “Curvette”.
The Javelin received a minor facelift in 1970 that made the car identifiable from the 1968-69s by the front clip. Sales were around 30,000 units, respectable but nowhere near the Ford Mustang or Chevy Camaro. About 25% of the cars came with a 360 CI motor, which put the machine into muscle car territory, along with the next step up, a 390 V8. The seller’s car may be numbers-matching, but the seller isn’t saying.
This AMC has a 4-barrel carb atop the engine and a 727 automatic transmission. It’s the SST model, which meant it was a bit swankier than a standard edition. The car wears mostly original paint, but we don’t know if the blue vinyl top has been redone. You might expect the interior to be blue, but it’s red, and the upholstery has a makeover look to it. The odometer is on its second go-around at 126,000 miles.
You’re going to have to figure out some electrical gremlins that may have parked the car after the engine was rebuilt. And why is the master brake cylinder cover lying on the floorboard? We’re told the Javelin has always been stored indoors, and the quality of the car shows it, though the seller’s photos leave a bit to be desired. Where you see aftermarket parts under the hood, the seller says the originals (sans the carb) have been kept. We’re told he/she has too many cars, and this one is on the chopping block with no trades.
Probably the most undervalued ponycar of them all..To me this is a steal at that price. Still maintains it’s stock faux wire hubcaps looks unfussed with with..it’s a beauty.
Nice looking car.I wonder if that side molding is easily
removed.
Is that a parking brake behind the right rear tire?
I call those “parking bricks”. My house is brick so I have a few extra. Used to carry one along in my ’65 Falcon, just in case.
If it has a 727 Torqueflite transmission it was transplanted from a later model, possibly along with the engine. For 1970 the factory automatic transmission would still be the old Borg-Warner unit. Installing the Torqueflite would require modifications to the crankshaft due to the pilot hole being different. (This was probably done when the engine was rebuilt if a newer engine wasn’t substituted.)
It would be nice if details about the “electrical issue” were provided, but by today’s standards the electrical systems in these cars are trivial.
I’m crying right now, because this car is so far away. I would buy it in a heartbeat if it wasn’t on the opposite coast from me. BTW, American Motors reuse of parts from other models was not a choice. They were a fraction of the size of the other car companies. They were always working within super-tight budgets. I think they did an amazing job with what they had.