American Motors got into the “pony car” game in 1968 with the Javelin. And even went one step further with the AMX, a GT-style 2-seater based on the Javelin. The first generation concluded in 1970 with a mild restyle, which includes this barn find example that hasn’t seen rain since the Ronald Reagan days. Apparently located in a garage in East St. Louis, Illinois, this red-on-red giant paperweight awaits restoration and is available here on craigslist for $27,500. Thumbs to Zappenduster for the tip!
Sales of the 1970 Javelin approached 30,000 units, and the car sometimes outsold the Dodge Challenger or Plymouth Barracuda (depending on the model year through 1974). The SST was the “luxury” edition, and the 360 cubic inch V8 was a mid-range choice between the “secretary” 304 and the “muscle” 390. This car has a 360 and came with Ram Air and an automatic transmission, and its owner from 1978 forward was a non-smoking housewife from Missouri.
We don’t know why the “largely” virgin Javelin was parked with 49,000 miles in 1980. The dirty red paint is almost all original, and rust is said not to be a problem. The choice of a red interior when new is said to have been rare, as most would have likely had black upholstery. The last time an attempt was made to start the AMC was about 35 years ago. It’s a well-equipped car that had aftermarket air conditioning added in the 1970s (to keep the housewife comfy?).
The original manuals and winder sticker have survived over the years and will come with the sale. A set of Kelstar 15X7 wheels appears in the photos and will be offered as a separate negotiable choice, so that means that regular steel wheels and wheel covers must be part of the primary package. If you’re looking for a pony car to restore and want something less common than a Mustang or Camaro, how about this Javelin?
Now this is a true barn find. You may be surprised at what a couple weekends of cleaning, scrubbing and polishing could do for this. Then go through the brakes, wiring, gaskets….etc and someone could be sportin this to cars n coffee pretty soon!