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.
When they were first introduced in August,1968 (was 17) I thought the rear wheels were located too far back, now they don’t bother me.
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.
And just to think, if you tied a rope around your “parking brick” and ran it to the drivers seat…… It would be your “parking brick release”!!!
Looks like peel and stick moulding. Use your wife’s blow dryer to warm it up. It comes off easily. Clean up the paint with bug and tar remover.
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.
Plus, I don’t understand them. ;-)
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.
Everybody used stuff from their other models. Mustang was built on a Falcon chassis. 68 Nova was on a Camaro chassis. Monte Carlo used Chevelle items. First & second Gen. Barracudas were Valiant based.
Interesting car – too bad there aren’t some decent pictures of the exterior.
I miss AMC.
The three color car tends to mess with one’s head. White, blue, red? I get it. Maybe. The interior looks a little too fuzzy for 1970, but appears well done. Surely a nice Javelin nonetheless.
The seats were corduroy. most javelins had that upholstery.
AMC picking from the existing parts bin wasn’t such a unique or a hard decision ; the Mustang borrowed the Falcon platform, the Barracuda borrowed from the Valiant, and the Camaro from the Nova platform
Nova in 1968 & Camaro in 1967 used the same chassis. 66 & 67 Nova had an earlier chassis which was not nearly as good as the 67 Camaro chassis.
Lovely looking car.
Nice ride, great value. However, the interior reminds me of an establishment I visited in New Orleans a long, long time ago!
Nice looking Javelin!! White/red interior really pops!!
I have always liked the body style. Particularly the back end. It has an AMX Mercury Marauder look to it. I would gladly repair and drive this car!
My favourite Javelin is the SST from 1967-1970.
1968-1970. There was no Javelin or AMX in the 1967 model year.
Okay. Thank you. I didn’t know that. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I might have been thinking of the Marlin.
The Marlin was offered in the 1965 through 1967 model years.
My bad. didn’t grow up with American Motors (AMC) cars. I wish I had.
Sexy red interior . Love it ! Knock off side moldings and put on some BFG white letter tires on Crager ss wheels , be a sharp ride !
I wish there were more exterior pictures so I could destingish between the 1970 390 SST and 360 SST. There’s definitely a difference between the two. For one the styling package and trim. Lovely Javelin though and a real steal. To bad these kinda deals don’t come around when you’re looking for one.
No external difference between a 390 SST & 360 SST except for the engine badge. The difference you have noticed is that the AMX had a Ram-Air scoop as standard. The Javelin only had the hood scoop if Go-Pac was ordered. 390 & 360 engines could be ordered without the Go-Pac.
Good deal on a cool car. Yep, gone
My favourite is the Javelin SST. Isn’t the AMX a sportier version of the SST? They look the same, except for the front end appearance.
The seller does not mention “matching numbers” because there is no such thing on AMCs. What can be determined is what year a block or cylinder head came from by the casting number.