Sometimes we can buy a project car with all the good intentions in the world, but various circumstances mean that the project can stall before it starts. That is the case for the owner of this 1973 AMC Javelin AMX. He found the car languishing in a barn around six months ago and saw that it was an almost completely rust-free car with potential. He trailered the Javelin home and has concluded that it is one project more than he can tackle at this time. Therefore, he has listed the classic for sale here on eBay. It is located in Enid, Oklahoma, and the bidding has worked its way to $4,000 in this No Reserve auction.

I’ve always found the Javelin to be an attractive car, and while this combination of Copper Tan with a Beige vinyl top wouldn’t rate as the pick of the bunch in my book, it would still have attracted attention in its prime. The owner acknowledges that a previous owner treated the vehicle to a repaint in its original color following some minor damage to the driver’s side rear quarter panel. Beyond that, the panels look surprisingly straight, and rust doesn’t appear to be something that will cause the buyer concern. There are a few spots in the lower quarters that should be easy to repair. The vinyl has shredded over the years, and the roof has developed a heavy coating of surface corrosion. However, it doesn’t look like it has penetrated the steel, and the seller says that there’s no evidence that moisture has found its way inside the car. The limited photos of the underside reveal no evidence of anything beyond some spots of surface corrosion, and the owner indicates that everything opens and shuts as it should. Most of the trim appears to be restorable, while I can’t spot any issues with the tinted glass. It seems that the seller had intended to refinish the Javelin in Classic Black with a Black vinyl top. If we want to talk about eye-catching, there’s little doubt that this AMC would meet the description in that combination.

While the panels won’t require much work to whip into shape, this Javelin’s interior is a different story. The headliner is said to be excellent, and the back seat looks like it might be salvageable, but from there, things head downhill in a hurry. The remaining upholstered surfaces have deteriorated beyond the point of no return, while the same appears to be true of the carpet and the console lid. Replacement parts are available, but the sticking point is that they don’t tend to be cheap. A replacement for the missing shifter handle will cost the buyer around $60. A console lid would add $65 to the total, but new front seat covers sell for an eye-watering $560 a pair. A bit of careful searching might unearth less expensive options, and the buyer might also stumble upon a company that can supply a trim kit. Like so many aspects of a project build, it may take time and patience to achieve the best results. The Javelin’s original owner ordered the car with air conditioning, and while it blew cold when the previous owner parked the vehicle, it’s worth noting that this occurred in 1993. It’s probably a fair bet that the system will require at least a recharge before it works correctly again.

AMC offered several engine choices for potential Javelin buyers in 1973, and the original owner ticked the box beside the 4V version of the 360ci V8. He also chose to equip the car with power steering, power brakes, and a 3-speed automatic transmission. That V8 would’ve produced 220hp in its prime, which was enough to propel the vehicle through the ¼ mile in 15.6 seconds. Apart from the Edelbrock air cleaner, it appears that this classic remains original and numbers-matching. The owner indicates that he hasn’t attempted to coax the car back to life since he purchased it, making that an adventure for the buyer to tackle. The previous owner parked the vehicle in 1993 due to a broken rear shock mount. The seller has addressed this problem and fitted new tires, but it was then that the project stalled. Since it last fired a shot in 1993, it will require a careful check and some basic maintenance before the buyer hits the key for the first time. However, if the engine turns freely, a fuel system clean might be all that it takes for that 360 to roar once again.

One of AMC’s strongest marketing points from the era that spawned this Javelin AMX was its emphasis on build quality. Their warranty coverage was well above that offered by other American manufacturers and saw the company sell 30,902 Javelins during that model year. Of those, 5,707 were the AMX version. They have built a strong following in recent years, and that is why I am surprised that the bidding on this car has been relatively subdued. Admittedly, these are currently not the most valuable car in the classic market, but values are starting to rise steadily. That could make this AMX a satisfying project and a promising long-term investment. As combinations go, that doesn’t seem a bad one to me.