Here’s a bit of trivia: Did you know that the 1974 Javelin outsold both the Plymouth Barracuda and the Dodge Challenger, all three being in their final year of production (temporarily, in the case of the Challenger)? The Javelin’s production numbers surprised me, with 22,556 being sold in addition to 4,980 examples of the AMX. That wasn’t enough to keep it around, of course, but it’s not a bad showing for a pony car from America’s number-four automaker in 1974. This 1974 Javelin is being advertised as a “very original” car with an “extremely rare” paint color—Fawn Beige. Our ever reliable Barn Finder T.J. sent it our way from craigslist in Hope, Arkansas, and the asking price is $16,500.
Although the sporty Javelin was available with engines as powerful as the 235-horsepower 401 V8, the original owner of this Fawn Beige car chose the standard 100-horsepower 232-cubic-inch inline six. The 232 sent its power to the drive wheels through a column-shifted “Torque-Command” automatic, which was actually the A998 version of Chrysler’s TorqueFlite. AMC started using TorqueFlites in 1972, replacing the previously used Borg-Warner automatics. For a car equipped with the least powerful engine in the lineup, this Javelin is surprisingly well-optioned, with power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning. The seller mentions that it’s been treated to a “new carburetor, new master cylinder, new tires, new rear shocks, [and] new water pump.”
Unfortunately, the interior shots are vertical (and thereby difficult to post), and there are no photos of the dashboard, so this is what we get. For what it’s worth, the interior is apparently original, and I’ve long thought that AMC did a fine job designing interiors in the 1970s. They also took some big swings to differentiate their products from their competitors by way of “Levi’s” interiors, Oleg Cassini Matadors, Gucci Hornets, and yes, Pierre Cardin Javelins.
For those who are curious, this is the image of the dashboard pictured in AMC’s 1974 sales catalog. We’ll assume that the dash in this Javelin looks similar, only tan.
I can’t find any production breakdowns of 1974 Javelins by paint code, but anecdotally, I’ll admit that I’ve never seen one painted this color. In fact, I’d be surprised if there’s another one optioned like it in the world, with a 100-horsepower engine, beige paint, a neat white stripe, sporty wheel covers, and air conditioning. What would be a fair price for this Javelin that’s potentially one-of-one? Would you AMC fans in the audience be willing to park it in your garage?
This design is awesome. The 74 Javelin has always been on my list of cars to have. I love the original condition of this example. Sure, a V8 would be nice, but I wouldn’t hotrod the thing, so even with the 232 this car would be great to own. Nice writeup Aaron.
Agree w Rex. Beautiful car and It’s fantastic as is. Great article Toth. Must’ve been one of the fastest cars in 74′ w the 401 mill wow. 🏁 Have to love AMC. 👍
Thanks, Stan and Rex.
I do like this Javelin and wouldn’t mind having it. But as far as the 401 235 horsepower, I would prefer the 401 in my 71 AMX with cowl induction rated at 330 horses.
This is a handsome car, but these suffered from having very plasticky interior. AMC was cutting corners. Also, these had troublesome window regulators, having to raise and lower that substantial glass. I’m wondering if this car is especially rare, having the smallest six that AMC offered. Most Javelins of all years had a V8.
In the Jeep world it’s known as hearing aid beige..
Wow….Beautiful Javelin and you won’t know with the mileage 118,000 looks like 18,000!! I was at a show last year a saw a 1970 Dodge Challenger Hemi orange paint with a 225 3 Speed manual on the floor and AC!! These two would look great next to each other. The Chrysler slant 6 and AMC straight 6 are great dependable engines. This is the first time I seen an AMC in this color or any other manufacturer. I would keep this stock and don’t change a thing. Enjoy bring to shows and cruises . Good luck to the next owner. 🇺🇸🐻
I’d keep it stock, but if more performance is desired the hot ticket would be installing a Jeep 4.0 which has nearly double the horsepower. Usually such swaps also involve installing an AW4 automatic transmission from 2WD Jeep Cherokee.
Interesting idea AMC guy. Love that inline 4.0 it really had some jump.
I think it’s a beautiful color. Too bad about the motor.
Anyone else notice that whoever put aftermarket speakers in the door placed them where the windows crank handle has to clear them with each crank? Someone sure wasn’t thinking. I know it was the 70s, but even then I would have known as a teenager better than to do that.
And of course, this is another car with the dreaded steering wheel cover. The car looks nice, but it’s definitely got issues.
It might be that was the only place it would fit in the door sheet metal.
We used to put them on the back shelf rather than the doors. It does less damage to the car and is easier to repair.
Hey ur Rob is that you ?
Great body lines horribly flat interior dash was not a fan of the dash….
Not a fan of this generation of Javelin. Nice colour.
I agree.
The original Javelin design was much “cleaner”.
My boss at the time had a ’74 AMX.
Man! What a beast that thing was!! ‘Could hear it coming from a block away, LOL.
seems like a big number for a 6 banger imo but the again not a market follower of these.
It’s a nice looking javelin, however, I would not want it because of that six-cylinder engine. What a joke. Why would anyone buy a pony car with a six cylinder engine in it? It makes no sense.
Keep in mind the first gas crunch was in 1973 and 1974, so most car buyers in that time frame were thinking economy rather than performance.
What a great looking car! Truly. And… no fugly 1974 bumpers like on the rest of 1974 cars! I would love to have that car in my driveway and it would definitely be a daily driver. Here is the AI response to my query about “did the 74 javelin have 5 mph bumpers”….
Yes, the ’74 Javelin featured larger, federally mandated bumpers, but it did not use the heavy, shock-absorbing impact systems that other manufacturers were forced to adopt. AMC secured a temporary variance exemption, allowing the car to keep its classic proportions using only prominent rubber overrider guards.
Well at least it don’t have a ugly vinyl top .
I bought a new AMX in 1974, though I don’t remember exactly when. I do remember that I had a little trouble finding one, and when one came along in Fawn Beige, I grabbed it. It never occurred to me the color was rare, but I will say I’ve never seen another one.
NICE!!
It would be hard to justify modifying this one, even with the smallest and least powerful engine. When are you going to see another one?
My families’ Nash/AMC history. In 1974, my two younger sisters, (who are three and six years younger then me) jointly purchased a 1974 Javelin brand new. But there car was yellow with a black vinyl top and it ran with the AMC. 304 V-8
Over the years members of my family owned the following: A 1948 Nash 600 4 door sedan that my father bought brand new, followed by a 1953 Nash Rambler Country Club hardtop that my father bought brand new because it had the GM supplied Hydromatic and because my mother was going to learn how to drive (she never did) After that 53 Nash got totalled when a oil delivery truck slid down the street during a severe snow store in the winter of 1960/1961 wiping out the driver’s side of the Nash, ny father bought a used a 1958 Rambler American sedan, (the first car I ever drove). After my mother passed away in 1964, my father bought a 1965 American 220 4 door sedan brand new and then having to hire a full-time, livin housekeeper, he bought her a 1965 Rambler Classic 550 2 door sedan new. Then in 1967 he bought her a 1967 Rebel SST hardtop new, then a 1970 Rebel SST 4 door sedan also brand new. In 1970 I bought the first of my two, 1969 Hurst SC/Ramblers’. Then in 1974 my father bought a 1974 Hornet 4 door sedan brand new, and then my two sisters bought their 1974 Javelin brand new. My father’s next to last car was a 1980 Concord 4 door sedan and the the last AMC car, was my ‘second’ 1969 Hurst SC/Rambler, a restored car that I bought in 1986 and still own.
Robert, that was a fine recounting of loyal to brand car purchases.
If memory serves Right I think this looks like the one Given to a Playboy Playmate
My Mistake that was 1968 and it was a AMC AMX in Pink to Angela Dorian.
Original A/C car? Holy cow, sign me up! There’s so much stinking traffic here in this hellish Gulf Coast that no one is going anywhere really fast. At least a guy can stay cool & look awesome riding around in this.
Always cracks me up how so much shade is thrown on the base engine cars, honestly what will all that power do except get unwanted attention from the po-po? Considering the current cost of fuel, certainly hasn’t slowed down any of the locals from driving Mach 3 with their hair on fire. The potential is always there to upgrade at a later date with a wrecked donor Hellcat but for the time being, enjoy the ride!
Even if you’re not into jack rabbit starts at the light, it’s nice to have merging power getting onto an expressway, and lower rpms cruising on the highway.
My sister ordered one of these new, auto, 304 V8 and red with black vinyl top. When it came in it had the dog dish wheel covers. I had an old 1969 brochure lying around showing ramblers with wire wheel covers. We went back to the dealer and asked if we could order a set of those. They said they would try and sure enough they came in and sis put them on the Javelin. It looked so classy that the dealer ordered several sets and put them on some cars in the show room. Later I ordered a set for my 76 Hornet.
Your memory is not right. It was a pink 68 AMX
Nice clean car!