American Motors Corporation went bold with its entry into the hot Pony Car market, the Javelin. Name another car of this era with fender arches higher than its hood! When you’re one notch below “The Big Three,” polarizing styling attracts buyers who want something different. The crazy Ringbrothers Javelin of 2018 shows an extreme rendition of the Javelin’s pointed good looks. This 1972 AMC Javelin in Denver, Colorado waited 29 years for a restoration that never came, and the elderly second owner seeks a “younger person” to finish the job and treat it right. The listing here on craigslist boasts “no rust,” and that appears to be substantially true. The engine runs “strong,” and the asking price of $7,000 includes parts and trim accumulated but never installed. What sort of Mopar E-body would you get for $7,000? Thanks to reader Ikey H. for spotting this yellow Rocky Mountain flower.
The full-width taillight treatment gives the Javelin’s posterior a decidedly classy finish. The 1973 models got (arguably sportier) quad lights and bigger bumpers. Which do you prefer? Optional vinyl inserts accentuate the aerodynamic sculpted roof, (a wind-slick feature used on today’s Toyota Prius). That detail also vanished from the Javelin after ’72.
The (original?) 360 cid (5.9L) V8 runs and the seller says it will drive onto a trailer. With power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning, you’ll be riding in style. Though its 53,000 miles purportedly served the original buyer, a “little old lady,” that yellow air cleaner suggests it spent time in someone’s High School parking lot.
Look here, Martha! It’s got burly walnut and tweed upholstery just like one of them British Jaggers! Joking aside, that’s a snappy dashboard. Racing versions of the Javelin won the TransAm Series Cup in 1971, and these cars can be enjoyed in ways from mild to wild. This one may have tended toward the mild, but that may translate into few non-stock parts and good overall condition. Are you bold enough to buy this nifty AMC?
Looks like there is some front end damage on this car what with the spoiler and parts leaning against the wall in the first photo. That is the license plate on the left.
Passenger fender looks to be a different or more faded color too. Lots of daylight under that headlight as well.
That Ring Brothers Javelin got me spoiled. I can only envision all Javelins this way now…notwithstanding.
“budget notwithstanding”
Yeah sounds good to me too. The Ring Brothers took a nice original Javelin and Moparized it. A Javelin is NOT a Mopar. Chrysler bought AMC in 1987 long after the pony wars. I realize Mopar events welcome AMC’s at their events. No thanks. I will bring my AMC when they allow Fiats. Shouldn’t be much longer.
Back to the Rings. Had they actually respected the original car and the dedicated people who built it any at all they would have used an AMC engine. There is fuel injection and aluminum heads available now. There are AMC engine experts that could have built the motor since obviously they no experience with AMC’s.
Just about anyone on TV today can take a car body. Doesn’t matter what it is and motor swap anything into it. Add aftermarket suspension air bags and 22″ wheels on front and 24″ in the rear. Add slick paint and it could be anycar. The Rings just happened to pick a Javelin. Sad to read the true back story on the car they used. Purchased it from the original owner.
Am I gaga over the Ring Brothers for “doing” a Javelin NO. They should have done any number of 70’s Road Runners the end result would have come out the same.
” Name another car from this era with fender arches higher than it’s good”?I’m going to say Corvette?Well,unless it’s one equipped with a gorgeous L88 hood😍
1972 Chevy Corvette has fenders higher than hood as ststed by Jeremy.. Air cleaner cover top painted yellow is not factory correct.
“Good eye” Jeremy and George Louis! I hadn’t considered the Corvette, one of America’s most original and wildly styled vehicles. Thanks for chiming in!
The fender higher than the hood started with the 1963 Corvette Sting ray Split window and carried on thru 1983 Model year.. So I would imagine that the AMC Designers had plenty of time to incorporate this styling theme into the 1973 Javelin. What is old is new again. Also adding to my previous comment, look at the passenger side under hood area for yellow paint whereas driver side under hood has black paint or under coating on it..
I would sure love to see an ’83 Corvette.
Sorry George, had to mention it.
Hey folks, somethings not right. A/C compressor under hood, no vents on dash and no “Desert Only” on climate controls. Definitely an aftermarket kit. I think the “vents” are laying on the passenger floor. Factory A/C hoses were installed on drivers side of fire wall (knock out plate to the left of booster). Dash is not a/c car. Also 73 and 74 employed the same front and rear bumpers from the entire run from 1971 -1974. Tail lights changed on 73-74. I would crawl under to confirm the 360 casting on block. Its a no frills car, most likely a 304. Just saying. I really love these cars and such unique styling. Not like the everyday run of the mill cars out there.
Opel GT had higher than hood arches over the wheels
American Motors dealers offered those who wanted A/C but did not come equipped with from the factory. It is an under dash unit called American Air. It is a factory to dealer accessory. For the 71-74 Javelin is quite rare to see. Mostly fitted to Gremlins and Hornets. This system is legit. Working or not is a plus.
P/S the radiator is not original, it looks like a Ford fitment.
No idea what makes you think the radiator is incorrect. It is a Blackstone. They are the OEM supplier to American Motors. It is 100% correct.
I do not see any issues with the car and think the asking price is fair. The 360 engine is really my favorite. With very little mods will run very well. The body looks very solid.
Had the seller just added aftermarket wheels he would have easily got his money back and maybe some for the trouble.
Reading the posts and especially what AMCFAN said I agree for many years of seeing 350 Chevy engines stuffed under the hood of classic Ford hotrods that sometimes being more of a purist I guess it doesn’t make the car better or more valuable stuffing another makers engine in your AMC!! It’s a fairly rust free car and the drive train made the car move quite well!! We all know you can do whatever you want but is it improveing the car or just to be different or do it cheaper!!
I love this amc design
But
Mechanically they were sh**
The old engines do not and cannot
Live up to the new modern ones
So
Its LS time , new suspension , brakes and all
With the old style interior
Its a beautiful combination
And the engine can be reused as a boat anchor
Sorry guys
I use to love stock pontiacs
But they were slugs until
I switched to LS
Claudio, you have NO IDEA what you are talking about. I have a built 401 that puts out 600 HP and its a mild build. You know nothing about AMC engines and obviously part of the ultra boring LS crowd.
BTW LS motors are nothing new. 350 engines started the whole swap deal long before you LS fanatics. They are boring and bring down the value of the cars you put them in.
Hi, i do not live my life as a brand
Never have i worn a camaro , firebird, chevy, ford t shirt or any other free ad
A nice shirt goes for me
So i dont call myself camaro claudio
Or porsche claudio
I am a car fan
Go have a look at the nice 318 bmw
Dont be afraid its german…
Another well done LS conversion
Enjoy 😊