Back in the early 1970s, AMC was convinced that the whole “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” was a viable way to take on the Big Three. One of their smartest moves was to hire Roger Penske (yes, that Roger Penske) and his favorite driver, Mark Donohue, to go out and win Trans-Am races with Javelins. This may be one of the 2,501 road going versions sold to homologate the racing parts — or it may not be. Regardless, the car is listed for sale here on eBay where 52 early bids have raised the price to $6,500 but the reserve is not yet met. The car is located in Martinsville, New Jersey.
To be sure, the seller has not stated anything about whether the car is a real Donohue Javelin or not; it isn’t even mentioned in the listing. However, as you can see from the above 1971 factory advertisement, it does have the decal on the correct rear spoiler, but on the wrong side (obviously easily duplicated and the car has been repainted at least once). The problem is, as this great article from PHS Collector Car World states, there’s no way to authenticate a Donohue Javelin. It turns out the parts were available over the counter at dealers as well as fitted at the factory, and there’s nothing in the VIN documentation to state if the car was one or not. Sigh. Regardless, it’s a cool possibility.
One of the nice things about this particular eBay listing is that the owner doesn’t represent the car as something better than it is. While they have performed some mechanical work, such as replacing the front brakes and brake hoses, front and rear shocks, rear springs and a power steering pump, they are very open about the body having some issues.
There are a good selection of close up shots of rust bubbling, body filler cracking and small dents and dings in the listing. In other words — here are the flaws, but what’s there is still worth something. I’m sure the right thing to do is to strip the car back to bare metal and repair the spots, but it would be fun to drive it a bit first, don’t you think?
The interior is similarly represented, with some seam separations and small splits in the vinyl but overall fine for a driver quality car. That is a manual transmission shifter you see and it matches the VIN as being a floor-mounted four-speed. The odometer is showing 82,000 miles which could be correct.
The seller tells us that the engine block was replaced with a service unit at some point and that some hop-up parts have been added to the base specification. The 360 cubic-inch V-8 is described as “running great” and certainly packs a wallop in a car this light. If you are a fan of the “coke bottle” Javelin design as I am, this might be the ticket for a driver for the moment with a huge upside (not $-wise, but fun meter wise) after some body work. Any of you have any Javelin pointers?
I always thought that these were one of the must “muscular” looking muscle cars! This one has some issues, but it is in no way too far gone! GLWTA! :-)
Is it me, looks like wheel house shape is totally gone, no flare, flat, compare with the mag ad
It is you, the add is of a first gen. Javelin, the car for sale is a 2nd gen totally different body.
For the price, I like this Nash. Mark Donahue’s name, whether its the real item or not, sweetens the deal. 360 4 speed with some goodies, I’m sure blastin’ thru the gears would be fun, even if you left the body as is for now. Too bad the decal is on the wrong side. Like Moparman says, Lots there to work with!!!! Seeing that 4 speed shifter and the 3rd pedal warms this old coot’s heart.
Stay safe and wash your hands, fuggedaboudit…
Cheers
GPC
No Donahue models after 1970.
You have to wonder why it was only offered in 1970. AMC won the TransAm championship in 1971 but I realize 1971 had about completed by the time the season was over.
It’s in his book, The Unfair Advantage. He explains that it was a promotion AMC was doing and they hadn’t realized that putting people’s names on cars was now “Faux Pas” according to Mark. He was not a fan of having his name everywhere.
I believe that this was also due to the homologation that they needed for the street cars. They did a bunch of testing before the 1970 season and needed the rear spoiler(where the Mark Donohue sticker goes), front spoiler, etc. to be accepted by the Trans Am series. Most likely it wasn’t needed in 1971 due to the new body, and when he won they promoted it through that instead of just his name.
Uh oh! Close to me and I love the shape!! If the $$$ stays in budget, I’ll be there
Only costs 100 bucks for a u haul for the day
As much as I like these, there is no way it’s worth even close to the current bid of $6500. Just paint and body work would kill this project. Can’t disagree with seller’s honesty in saying “body and paint are driver quality”. Since it runs and drives, regardless of how it looks, probably considered driver quality.
I sold my 73 AMX back in 2013 for $5500. Both rear quarters had been hit in an accident before I bought it and needed to be replaced. The car was about 5 different colors. Interior was decent. No Go-Pak, 360ci, and an automatic. $6500 for this one is about right.
As noted above, only the first gen Javelin could be a Mark Donohue edition, this car is a second gen Javelin.
It’s also Javelin AMX, which was an additional option on a second gen Javelin, not a distinct model as it was on the first gen Javelin.
Nice project. Should have seen the 71 Javelin I recently took $3300 for, better shape. No Donohue is indeed 1970 only. This is a article I wrote in 1980s. Yes 1980s about Mark Donohue Javelins. http://www.planethoustonamx.com/stuff/mark_donohue_javelin.htm There is nothing in Build Sheet (if you lucky to find one) nothing in VIN, door tag. Maybe get lucky with window sticker. Not DonAhue that was Marlo talk show hosts wife. I hwve been fortunate to own about 5 real Mark Donohue Javelins of 395 AMCs personally owned so far, 9 as I write this. They are nice cars, but with only 28210 1970 Javelins produced, half the production on 1969, not a lot of any 1970 Javelins exist
Hey Eddie, thanks for popping in. Did you see, someone found the lost Javelin commercial.
https://bangshift.com/bangshift1320/1969-amc-javelin-featuring-a-blown/
Great commercial.
My dad would have checked out a car like that and said, “Looks good, buddy,” and then went back to planting his garden.
WOAH MAMA 😍 I have a 401 just waiting for that car. Rot could be bad though.
Market Place in LV Nev has one looks the same needs restored lighter yellow color in a post that said need a project to build $3500
Why has the TAG been cut off and reattached?
I was wondering the same thing? Looks sketchy..
ICANT believe anyone would order a Trans-Am replica Javelin in THAT color.
That’s Bud Moore Trans-Am Mustang Grabber Orange !!!
No sorry, That color is Mustard Yellow and was available in 71, I had one. Big difference than Grabber Orange.
Here’s an “authentic” Donahue edition with 100,000 miles. Buy it now for $35,000. I have to wonder why anyone would install traction bars.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-AMC-Javelin-Mark-Donohue-/402193714999
2 additional bids brought the high bid to $6,806 – reserve not met.
Cool cars aside from the typical crowd.
Ended at $6806 with Reserve Not Met.
Who else competed against the AMC in ’71? Ford had dumped the entire racing program, were the Chaparral Camaro’s even used in ’71? The Trans Am Pontiac? Does it matter, probably not then or now.
Sure to get attention in a sea of Mustangs and Camaros.
Bud Moore raced Mustangs as an independent in ’71 but raced his cars from the previous year. His cars won 3 races in ’71.
He also has a 401 motor for sale? Hmmm..is that the motor that “should” be in it??