AMC got into the pony car business in 1968 with the Javelin and would produce the car for seven years across two generations. The Javelin would spin off the two-seat AMX which was unlike other offerings in the ever-crowded muscle car space. By 1973, sales of the Javelin were on the decline (along with others in the aging pony car space), so the car was retired after 1974. This 1973 AMC Javelin was recently pulled out of a garage where it had been dormant for some time, and may still wear its original and unusual Fresh Plum Metallic and white colors. Located in San Antonio, Texas, the car is available here on eBay were bidders have raised the ante to $4,550, but the reserve is still waiting to be triggered.

This Javelin looks in surprisingly good condition and was the subject of some work done before the seller acquired it. The prior owner had the transmission rebuilt, some suspension work done, and a new exhaust system installed. We’re told the Javelin was in the middle of a tune-up when that owner died, which freed the car up to be purchased by the seller. It’s likely that the original engine was an AMC 304 cubic inch V-8, but that motor was jettisoned at some point in favor of a 390 out of an AMX, circa 1968. Someone went as far as adding 390 badging on the fenders, but the 390 was no longer offered by AMC in ‘73, instead evolving into a 401 by then. We assume the car runs, but since the seller offers to help load it onto a truck for the buyer, that’s not a given. A tip of the hat to Planet Houston AMX for some Javelin tidbits.

Once the years of dirt and grime were cleaned off the car, a pretty-solid body was found underneath. There are no dents to be seen, but there is some corrosion beginning to bubble in the lower rear quarter panels that may indicate a repaint at some point in the original color. The car’s purplish color that AMC offered in 1973 is rather interesting and contrasts well with the white paint on the roof. The interior has been redone with colors that match the exterior, so anyone looking to restore this car should stick with what’s there as a launching point. AMC sold about 25,000 non-AMX Javelins in 1973, so this isn’t a rare car per se, but when was the last time you saw one of these on the road? While the wheels are aftermarket, they have a 1970s feel to them. I had a similar set of wheels on a ’70 Nova.

If this car is a runner, it might be a good automobile to get started with in the vintage car game.  It’s not something that you’ll find five more like it at every show you took it to. One of these AMCs in excellent condition should go for about $15,000, according to Hagerty. At 127,000 miles (although the odometer disagrees), this one looks used, but not abused. For fun, the seller has included an apparent photo of the same car back in its early years.