I’m of the belief that as new pony cars were introduced the increased competition made for more than just an increasingly crowded car class, it made for better cars. This is one of those cars that was introduced later and helped drive that battle to the top. This 1968 AMC Javelin SST was sent to us by an anonymous Barn Finds reader and can be found here on eBay in Napa, California. The reserve appears to have been met after 22 bids have pushed the price to $4,150.
This first year model represents AMC’s introduction to the pony car market. It jumped on-board after big success from Chevrolet’s Camaro and mega success from Ford’s Mustang. I don’t know if it was intentional, but that “late” entry allowed AMC to pick nits with the class production leading Mustang. A 1968 AMC ad even did a side-by-side comparison of the two that AMC dubbed an unfair comparison. Spoiler alert: AMC concluded that the Javelin was considerably more car for less money. This is one of the 26,027 SST variants that rolled off the assembly line in 1968.
The exterior of this Javelin looks somewhat like the one featured in the aforementioned ad. The paint looks weather worn but appears to have been either Matador Red or Calcutta Russet. The seller claims the car has no rust, but there’s some obvious surface rust, so I’ll assume they mean there’s no rust through. I know those white stripes aren’t for everyone, but I dig them.
The interior looks original, but dirty. The seller describes it as needing TLC. It doesn’t appear to be overly worn, so let’s hope it’s salvageable once cleaned up. You’ll see the reclining bucket seats and woodgrain steering wheel – both part of the $105 SST package.
By ponying-up the extra $105 for the SST package you were given the option of the 315HP 390 V8. The original buyer of this, however, only opted for the middle-of-the-road V8 – the 280HP 343. The motor is said to run perfect, but the car needs brake work before being roadworthy.
It’s a shame the seller of this Javelin listed it under “other makes” instead of AMC and offered just a limited description. This car appears to be an honest, original survivor, but the limited information and undetailed photos make that hard to prove. Would you depart from the pony car mainstream and scoop up this Javelin?
One of my favourite American cars
Definitely a bucket-list car for me. Thank you Dick Teague.
I had a blue ’68 SST with a 6 cyl and 3spd manual. Cool car, only paid $350 for it in 1976. Unfortunately, only owned it for 6 months before some idiot in a Vega pulled a left turn in front of me and totaled the front end.
Dad bought a ’69 for a work car. Very clean, had a straight 6 put in after some PO had blown up the 343. Was going to give it to me when I got my license, until some drunk coming home from the bar rear ended him (in another Javelin) totaling both.
This one would be fun to detail. Yes, it needs paint. But I’d bet you could make that thirsty paint look pretty decent with a grueling weekend of elbow grease and a little touch up here and there.
The wheel police in me would shelf the wire wheel covers, if even just for the more common and less busy “five slot” wheel cover. Just never much of a fan of phony wire wheels.
Bought one of these back in’76. Paid $400 for it. It had the 390 engine and FMX transmission. Rebuilt the front suspension behind my apartment complex under a tree. Thrush side pipes and custom wheels. It also had a posi-trac rear axle.Would love to have it back!
I had several first gen. Mustangs and Camaros but would love this little AMC. The first gen Javelin had the more simple styling (compared to the over styled 2nd gen. which I still don’t care for) and the right pony car requirements for me. The size was closer to a 67/68 mustang than the Camaro and the clean styling especially with factory hood scoops and magnum 500 wheels the cars were real head turners. Wish I could pick this one up especially if the price stays anywhere near where it is now.
I need to go to California to get my next car! The Javelin is a good start! Then a 3K mile fun trip home!
pretty well loaded, see it has power front disc brakes, pwr steering and AC/….automatic, vinyl roof…..had one like this with the 290 automatic, years ago. not your typical camaro or mustang……..o yeah and electric wipers…..vacumn wipers were still standard in that year
My sister ordered a 74 new but didnt pick any wheel covers for it. It came thru with dog dish hub caps. We had an old 69 AMC brochure lying around showing the wire wheel covers. They were not available in 74. She asked the dealer if he could order them. He said he didnt think they would come in. Sure enough they did. We put them on the red javelin with black vinyl top and it looked real classy.
The next thing you know the dealer started ordering them and putting them on the cars in the show room. When she took her car in for service they told her that you guys helped us sell a bunch of cars with that wire wheel idea. LOL
Cool find!! Not the best option car but looks solid enough to use daily!!!