American Motors’ entry into the “pony car” market was the Javelin. The first generation lasted for three years (1968 to 1970) before the second (and final) gen ran from 1971 to 1974. This 1970 Javelin in SST trim is said to be a Mark Donohue Edition, but the VIN, build sheet, and door tag won’t help identify one. It would be one of just 2,501 built and the paint is new but much of the rest of the automobile is original. Our thanks to T.J. for this great tip!
For those unfamiliar with Mark Donohue, he was a race car driver in the 1960s and 1970s. He ran in the SCCA Trans-Am Series where he scored an impressive 29 victories during his tenure (but just three while driving for American Motors). This was a big deal for the independent automaker, so in 1970 they came out with the Mark Donohue tribute with some appearance cues unique to the option.
These specials came with a spoiler like the one on Donohue’s cars, plus they had power front disc brakes, dual exhaust, wider wheels and tires, and a beefed-up suspension package. Also, AMC dug into the parts bin and borrowed an AMX hood with a functional Ram Air induction. Since about 28,000 Javelins were built in 1970, less than one in 10 came in Donohue garb.
We’re told this is a rust-free vehicle and the body looks quite solid. The interior may be nice, but only one partial photo is provided. It’s powered by an AMC 360 cubic inch V8 with an automatic transmission and the “Go Package” offering. The tires are new on aftermarket wheels that are nice and shiny. A set of headers has been added which should help produce a few extra horses. This AMC is finished in Golden Lime paint and has 85,000 miles but doesn’t look it. From N. Stonington, Connecticut, this sharp Javelin is available here on craigslist for $34,500.
My new favorite 70’s pony car and color, Golden Lime.
360-4 putting out 395lb/ft, curb weight under 3300lbs. 🙌 😎
Yes, about the same power/weight as a 67-68 camaro with the 275hp 327, which was such a great combo.
I know what I said, about so called “famous people” on car fenders, and I feel the same here. HA! You thought being an avid AMC fan I was going to make an exception here, nah. This car doesn’t need a corny moniker, it just looks fast standing still. Pretty obvious, another AMC swing and a miss, the graphics did nothing for sales. I read, this car cost under $3grand. $2571, or $200 less than a Mustang. The “Go-Package” including MDs autograph, added almost $400 bucks. Road racing wasn’t exactly good old boys stock car racing, and many probably never heard of him and weren’t willing to fund his team. Didn’t matter, Donahue kicked the others arses. It was a grand moment for AMC fans, for sure. I read almost 30,000 Javelins were sold in 1970, so the 2500 here says it was a sales dud,,,AT THE TIME! Today, I’m sorry, to me, there is nothing else like it. Gonna cost you,,,I know, no post of mine would be complete without the kvetching about price, TEN TIMES what it cost new,,,wow.
Come to think of it, so are eggs,,
Road racing may not have been as ‘big’ as NASCAR – but look at what it gave us – Z28, Boss 302, Challenger T/A, Javelin SST T/A. Add the drivers, managers and designers and it was rather impressive.
What is NASCAR using today? Camrys and pony cars. All good things…
“Famous people” in quotes? About Mark Donahue, ‘many probably never heard of him’? Donahue was a brilliant driver and engineer. He drove for Roger Penske in a period when drivers had to earn their rides, not buy them. He won in can-am, trans am, nascar, Indy car, and prototypes. Although when his signature went on the Javelin he had yet to win at Indy, he had dominated the trans am series for pony cars. As I said he was an engineer and did his own set ups on the cars he drove. He was a highly regarded and instantly recognized driver wherever he went. Not being critical just wanting to clarify. He deserves this recognition.
Totally correct. Donohue & drivers such as Parnelli Jones & George Follmer were all well known back then. Donohue had an engineering degree from Yale; not just a guy that called him/her self an engineer because they have a loaded snap-on tool box. Donohue was also known as the master of the Porsche 917, a very dangerous car with upto 1000 hp and weight of around 1500 lbs, IIRC. Speaking of weight, a 1970 Javelin with all the Go-Pac bits has a shipping weight of 3340 and a curb weight close to 3500.
Good job not overselling the interior. Kinda makes you assume it’s torn up, or has a column auto, or something awful like that.
Whenever I see a second generation AMC V8 with the distributor installed in the non-stock position I wonder why that’s been done. Ordinarily the vacuum advance would be sitting above the fuel pump with its hose port face toward the steering gearbox.
Got to wonder!
The distributor must have been removed and re-installed (or replaced) in that position. It doesn’t really matter as long as proper timing can be set.
It’s possible that someone decided to reinstall the distributor in a different position, and as long as the timing is on the money, then that’s what matters. However, setting the dwell through the cap’s window looks to be a bear, unless there’s been an electronic conversion and the points are history.
I was thinking the same thing Rick, he probably reinstalled it this way to get the vacuum advance port away from the power steering pump pulley and belt. As stated, as long as # 1 plug wire was relocated to the proper position all is good. Just looks odd.
One of just 2,501 built – i saw quite a few of these on the road back in the day. May be hard to believe, but i never saw a ’69 t/a(697 made) on the road. & saw only two 1970-1972 t/a’s on the road – ever.
I might be wrong, but I recall reading here on BF that there is no way to prove that a particular Javelin came off the line as a Mark Donohue package.
That fact, and with only 5 pictures of the car, I think that this will be a very hard sell at that price.
It can be proved with an original bill of sale or dealer invoice. good luck finding one!
Growing up in the northern Chicago suburbs, graduating high school in 1970, I alway liked the AMC cars. This one, if it is indeed a Mark Donahue edition as mentioned by PRA4SNW, this car just doesn’t work for me as-is. This is a road race type of styling/car, Cragars just don’t work, and neither does the vinyl top. I am a fan of vinyl tops on many cars, but it is just out of place here. Love the color, the stripe, but the Cragars have to go. Since it has decent appearing paint, it would be costly to remove the vinyl top, but it would present much better without. Just an opinion…
Totally agree with you on the wheels, not a good look/fit on this car. I could probably live with the vinyl top, but also agree that it would look racier without.
I owned a 70 mark donahue special that I bought used in the mid 70’s from milne Ford on gratitude. I raced it up and down Woodward for 3 years until I blew up the engine. These cars came with 390 c.i. and not 360. They didn’t have the dorky white stripes either. This car is obviously an attempt at a recreation.
No, a Donohue Javelin had a 360 4V standard. That engine is rumored to be a special block only available in the Donohue car. It had the thicker main webs and pan rails similar to a 390 or 401.
Gratiot not gratitude. Stupid spellcheck!
nice color on this one …..
A CT car with fresh paint and one lousy pic of a discolored passenger seat sends up a lot of red flags. What does the drivers side look like? probably pretty worn out. What about the carpet and floor pans? Fresh paint on old cars can cover a LOT of sins. This looks great but needs an eyes on inspection before purchase.
Nice…..and sweet !
Lovely looking car. I’ve always loved the 1970 AMC Javelin. I’m not so sure if I’d be willing to pay $35,000 for the car. I don’t care who’s name is on the car. The most I’d be willing to pay for a car like this would be between $15k and $20k.
The 360 Go PAC Mark Donohue Javelin was chosen for the SSCA Trans Am racing. The reason 9 out of 10 chose the factory 70 SST with the 390 Go PAC was more bang for the buck and at a lesser price. To me it even looked better even though it didn’t have the rear spoiler. All the car makers had SSCA cars with smaller displacement for Trans Am series racing.
Sorry SCCA Trans Am series racing.
A properly restored SST Javelin with the 390 Go Pac is worth 30 to 35k That includes the 360 Mark Donahue edition in my opinion. And even more if you’re dealing with an avid AMC buff like me.
Jeff you could order the Javelin with an optional 360 engine in 1970.
I like the car, love the color hate the vinyl top but let’s all remember it was 1970 they were in style and available on everything cars station wagons and lots of trucks. Think of all the mustangs camaros firebirds gtos that had them. I don’t like them on those either but a ton were sold with the vinyl top.
I bet even tiny AMC(certainly Ford in ’67 with 25 choices!) back in the day had more exterior sheet metal colors available any single model year than ALL the different exterior factory vehicle “colors” available in the WORLD today! Same with interior colors. & today, guaranteed 85% of anything you see today will be white, grey, silver or black. & will look alike.
I think TOO MUCH AUTOMATION is responsible for the avg of 5 “color” choices outsde today – as well as just 1 or 2 inside.
JoeNYWF64: I’m not sure which it is: The lack of color choice, or the dulling down of consumers’ tastes. Who knows, one may have caused the other.
Case in point: Both my wife and I drive newer blue vehicles, a rarity today. We are the first house in a development of new houses, and, although the color choices were limited, we were able to choose blue. Now, they have built almost 50 houses, and every one of them is a shade of beige or grey. Not another blue one in sight.
As I watch cars drive by in the neighborhood, nothing bright or vibrant ever drive by.
Price drop to $29,500
PRA4SNW, if you google 1972 GM color palette, you will see 7 shades of blue!! Younger buyers today have NO idea how it once was.
If only Craigslist posted more pics of the car than they did. Unless the seller of the Javelin only took eight pics of the car, I would think people would want to see more pics of the car. I know I would. The more pictures possible, the better.