Nothing says “American Muscle” more than an Italian fashion designer. Wait, what? American Motors Corporation’s sporty Javelin appealed to drivers who didn’t mind being considered somewhat, uh, “different.” So, if fender peaks sticking above the hood line weren’t strange enough, buyers of the 1972 and 1973 Javelin could opt for the $85 Pierre Cardin package to add some over-the-top Italian Flair. This 1972 AMC Pierre Cardin Javelin SST in Merrick, New York awaits a new buyer with an eye for fashion and the cash to bankroll a restoration. The car’s 360 cid (5.9L) V8 and four-speed manual transmission sweeten the deal. Bidding here on eBay has topped $2500 without meeting the seller’s Reserve.
The crazy pattern included panels on all seats, doors, *and* headliner. Though the seller describes this Javelin as an original Grasshopper Green car, ’72 Cardin Javelins came only in Wild Plum, Stardust Silver, Trans Am Red, and Snow White according to cardinjavelin.com. Documentation from the original purchase would validate the Cardin option, though you’ll draw a crowd even the interior came from another car. A silicone sealer protects the nylon Cardin fabric. I’ve seen several of these with amazingly bright colors considering their age. Thanks to wikipedia.org for some details.
The Javelin SST itself deserves praise and enjoyed success in Trans Am, racing the same Camaros and Mustangs that its purchasers considered when visiting the showrooms. Those Mopar police wheels have got to go, but they’ll work for rolling onto a trailer.
The 360 benefited from a rebuild in the 1980s and likely boasts more horsepower than factory. The engine ran about two years ago but has an undiagnosed oiling problem at present.
Check out that solid metal! How often do we see this in a car from New York? Some pictures of Stardust Silver cars look a bit blueish. Maybe our AMC experts can weigh in on the color mystery. Do you have enough style to restore this snappy coupe and fly your “Unique” flag high at the show ‘n’ shine?
I remember the Pierre Cardin Cadillac from 1981 I think, but never heard about a PC Javelin.
Good to know.
OK where do I start here. Let’s go with it’s a Javelin SST NOT an AMX which someone put a cowl hood and rear spoiler on from an AMX. You couldn’t order a SST with these parts.
The rot on this car is extensive and without underside pics i suspect it’s way worse than the pics by just looking at the rockers.
The color is hard to decipher but here is the chart
https://www.ebay.com/i/133212699545
It’s only a 360 car so really not worth as much as a 401 but the 4-spd is worth more. I have owned several of these and I just don’t see that it’s worth more than its parts which would be around 3 grand. Buy another body transfer the parts and save yourself the aggravation.
This is where my initial response collides right into my “don’t make political jokes on Barn Finds” policy…
(probably smart to leave it that way)
This does look like grasshopper green. The stardust silver is kind of a flat silver. Check out the Alabama State Trooper Javelins if you want a good look at the that color. The 71’s were Quicksilver which is slightly brighter.
The interior was most likely swapped. You would need to check the door data plate for the “W” interior code to verify.
The purple hood(unless the car was purple, I see some on the driver’s door too) and added spoiler make me think some stuff was swapped around. The rebuilt engine and brown painted brake booster says this thing has been messed with more enough to be suspicious of the interior.
Interesting barn find which may require a lot of work, but that can be an important part of why we all love our classic cars so much. I am one of the members of cardinjavelin.com and just wished to add one note. It has come to our attention that several 1972 vehicles were ordered in colours other than those officially offered, probably for use by Dealerships and Auto shows, much as there were a confirmed 12 Black AMX Javelins ordered in 1972 with the Cardin option for the same purpose. The validity of this vehicle could be ascertained if the new owner wishes to contact us.
Keep Motoring!