The Javelin was American Motors’ pony car entry, with the first generation in production from 1968 to 1970 and the second and last from 1971 to 1974. Along with a major restyle, the 1971 model brought a 401 cubic inch V8 to replace the aging 390. This ’71 SST has only had two owners and had its drivetrain rebuilt, but that was in 2007, after which the car was literally put out to pasture. Located in Ventura, California, this project auto may need everything, including a title. Available here on craigslist, $3,500 is the asking price.
Previously a separate product line, the 2-seat AMX muscle car was discontinued after 1970. Instead, it gained a backseat and became the performance arm of the restyled Javelin. Nearly 27,000 Javelins were produced in 1971, more units than the Plymouth Barracuda and on par with the Dodge Challenger. The SST was the luxury version of the Javelin and dominated production. Only 582 of them came with the 401 V8, saving the rest for installation mostly in the AMX.
As the story goes, the seller bought this Javelin from its original owner in 2000. Besides the 401, it has 4:10 gears and a shift kit. All the original hardware is said to be from the factory with an odometer reading of 91,000 miles. The vehicle has been sitting for nearly two decades, so Mother Nature has been in charge of its survival. Sometime before the turn of the century, the 401 was rebuilt, as was the tranny and rear end.
We’re told the body is straight with no major rust, but is that what the photos provided depict? And it looks like the hood may be missing, along with the title. The status of the interior is unknown because no photos are provided. So, you should probably assume the worst and hope you get a pleasant surprise.
So glad they got the bush hog and tractor going to find this Javelin. “I am the second owner purchasing it in 2000 from a friend and original owner. Numbers matching, Original engine, transmission and rear end.”
hmm. Just 25+ plus years in the elements and now ready to let her go to the person willing to tow it home and rebuild hopefully a rebuildable engine. I know it says…. “rebuilt”… . but I will take that with a grain of salt since it’s not running or showing bills for rebuild. The body on the outside looks salvageable but no underneath shots…. I see miscellaneous missing items on this AMC. I am sure field critters have camped at the AMC Air BNB for years.
Good luck to the new owner who will part it out or take a chance on rebuilding with pricing.…. I do like the 401 Javelins and remember driving one back in the late 1970’s.
The as basically says, “someone loved this car and spent a lot of money on it before I abandoned it in a field to rot”. Like you said, too much downside risk, all of which is on the next owner.
Steve R
I had a black ’71 AMX with the 401 Cowl Induction, 4 speed with Hurst shifter front disc brakes, while stationed in Berlin late 70s. I do miss that car. Looks like a lot of stuff missing. Hard to find? It was the only AMC I ever owned.
I know what it could be, but do I have enough years to do it? It’s been 50 years since I was that far west at Fort Ord.
Nice patina.
The seller should have listed it on Bring a Trailer for maximum profit 😂🤣😆.
Yup , with 4 blurry pictures , it would be a slaughter for the seller , the keyboard warriors would tear him apart !
Sounds like an all too familiar body shop horror story.
I feel for the guy if this is actually how he received the car back from the body shop after they went under. What’s missing won’t be easy or cheap to replace.
Yep. It’s been a loooong time gone since you could find those in the boneyards.
leave this 500.00 amc where it is.
Hope someone saves it. Sure isn’t going to be me.
FYI: The “aging 390” was in its fourth year of production. 401 is just a bored out 390.
AMC 390 was produced for 3 years: 68-69-70. 401 is not a bored out 390. 401 has a 3.68 stroke while 390 is 3.54.
One of my first jobs was delivering pizzas for a hometown restaurant. One of the other guys that delivered, drove a black AMX this vintage. I believe it had a 401. Didn’t take him long to deliver them….
This is a parts car someone took all the good parts and hard to find parts off of it and will cost a pretty penny to replace. AMC never had matching numbers or Big blocks so this guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about for one and no pictures of the engine so you can’t even tell what it is .didn’t mention if it was an automatic or a 4-speed. If it’s a real 401 it worth maybe about $3,500 so that might be worth it but the trans if it’s stock is a Borg Warner transmission and those are boat anchors. I would have to upgrade to a 727 Chrysler / AMC if the body is that straight it might be worth fixing up but it looks like a plain jane not an AMX or an SST
No shots of interior. The California sun has baked & cracked that being outside that long. Maybe the owner has all of it in storage. Would definitely have to look at it in person and take stock of the parts. Parts for this are hard to find now days.
It’s a shame it has been parked for 19 years OUTSIDE after a ton of work was done back then and why. Needs more pictures to sell.
Nobody mentioned that Ga State police put some of these on the highway for persuit cars. 401Javelins they’re rare but unique.