The 1971 model year marked the introduction of the 2nd Generation AMC Javelin, bringing with it some additional refinement, but also increased weight. The styling changes that marked this new car had the effect of polarizing potential buyers, but the Javelin still managed to sell in reasonable numbers. This 1971 Javelin SST presents very nicely and has also been the recipient of some very recent TLC. It is ready to go to a new home, and the next owner should be able to slip behind the wheel and hit the open road with confidence. I do have to say thank you to Barn Finder Ikey H for referring the AMC classic through to us. It is located in Marina del Rey, California, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $9,250 but the reserve hasn’t been met.
The Snow White Javelin looks extremely clean. The Black “canopy” vinyl top provides a nice contrast, as do the side stripes. The owner states that the car has “virtually no rust,” and there really doesn’t appear to be anything significant visible in the supplied photos. The body does have a few very minor dings, but the overall presentation is in keeping with all that you would expect from a well-maintained survivor. The trim and chrome appear to be really nice, while the glass appears to be flawless.
Powering the SST is a 304ci V8, while the car also features an automatic transmission and power steering. It is when we delve below the surface that we find where the owner has been splashing the cash in recent times. The original carburetor has been rebuilt, while a new exhaust and headers have been fitted. There is also a new radiator, new battery, new brakes (including the master cylinder), new hoses, new belts, new oil, and filter, while the transmission has also been treated to a service. The upshot of all this effort and expenditure is a car that the owner says runs and drives very nicely. The 304 is capable of producing 210hp, but with the 2nd Generation Javelin gaining some weight over its predecessor, performance did take a bit of a hit. Still, a ¼ mile ET of 17 seconds is fairly respectable and should be adequate for the majority of enthusiasts.
Opening the door and taking a peek inside the Javelin reveals an interior that generally presents quite nicely. The upholstery on the seats and door trims looks very clean, with no signs of any rips or tears. The headliner looks fairly good, while the dash and pad also present well. There are a few changes that have been made, including the fitting of aftermarket speakers into the door trims, along with what I believe is a radio/8-track player into the dash. The installation of the latter item looks very neat, and if the next owner wishes to refit an original radio, it shouldn’t be a problem. The most obvious item that is showing wear is the carpet, but even that isn’t too bad. I would be tempted to have it professionally cleaned to see if the marks, particularly on the transmission tunnel on the driver’s side, could be either reduced or removed.
You can be sure that when AMC released to 2nd Generation Javelin, that they would have expected the sort of sales bounce that is almost an inevitability when any model update is released. Unfortunately, that bounce never occurred with the Javelin. In 1970, the company managed to sell 28,210 examples. The updated 1971 model sold a mere 26,866 units. Things did improve in subsequent years, and today, a 1971 Javelin SST is seen as a pretty respectable collectible. Values have been increasing slowly but steadily, and I would expect a car like this to sell for somewhere in the vicinity of $20,000. It could go slightly higher, and even if it does go that bit higher, it would still be a pretty nice car to own.
Interesting styling you either love it or hate it. I prefer the first generation cars looks. The only odd angle on the first generation was the side profile with this 97” wheelbase. This is Gremlin short! Can’t accuse AMC for not getting the most out of what they had to work with. I tend to like under dogs so give me a 69 with a 390 4-speed with the go pack.
Rented one of these from Hertz to go from San Francisco to Portland. Half way up the radio speaker fell out of the dash and the Oregon rain storm produced enough leaks to put puddles in the rear foot wells. They did make great IMSA race cars and took the championship in ’70.
Looks great! Last year for vacuum windshield wipers, which this car has, along with the Borg-Warner automatic. (1972 brought electric wipers and the Chrysler Torqueflite to AMC.) By the look of the master cylinder your foot will get some exercise pushing manual drum brakes.
On GM cars with such brakes, the brake pedal is positioned much higher than the accelerator pedal, giving the right foot a REAL good workout in stop & go driving. Not sure if that is the case here or on other makes.
Automatic on column with buckets just makes no sense IMO.
Odd extra tiny heater hose by the firewall.
I know, it makes no sense that have an auto on the column with buckets – my Barracuda had that, and that center section looked really empty.
But, back in those days when everything was an option, it was a way for them to sell, and for people to buy, the car they wanted and still be able to afford it.I kind of wish it was still that way, you could order a stripper, but get the big engine.
My 1972 Javelin SST has vacuum wipers.
Could just be the camera angle, but it looks to me like the rear end of this thing has been lifted.
Not a 1st gen, but still a cool car. Why didnt Malloy get one of these instead of that hideous Matador?
And why did he pick such a hideous color !
Rear end being lifted:
Most probably new rear shocks. Put new shocks on my 69 Cougar back then. Same thing happened, drove me nuts style wise. Took about a year to settle down. Even threw in a couple watersoftener salt bags to weight down.
Has anyone else noticed the Tijuana (Bondo Job) bodywork on the entire lower portion of the quarters, doors and fenders?
Bring A Few Magnets, Just In Case.
I tried to buy one of these in 1978 .It was Matador red with a white vinyl top with a 304 and had the AMC rally wheels and in mint shape . I was 17 ,and could only afford $1500 bucks , and they wouldn’t go any lower than $1900 ,so I had to pass on it . Later I found that it was purchased by a girl in the same town where the dealership was ,and over the course of a few years she beat the crap out of it. The last I saw of it was sitting on the side of a house in the projects with the grille smashed out of it and the body all dented in. I still kick myself for not trying to get the extra $400.00 !!