This is how this 1973 AMC Javelin AMX Pierre Cardin edition appeared when the current owner purchased it in 2002. Since then it has been completely dismantled down to the bare shell, and as happens so often, the project has stalled. It will need complete restoration, but it is a complete car that comes with a nice cache of NOS parts. The Javelin is located in Panama City, Florida, and is listed for sale here on eBay. The owner set the listing to open at $7,500, and while there have been no bids, there are currently 47 people who are watching the listing.
This photo was taken part-way through the dismantling process, and since then, the car has been reduced to a shell mounted on a dolly. The good news is that apart from the windshield, which cracked while being removed, the car is complete. There are some rust issues in most of the usual places (lower quarter panels, rockers, and floors), but a good collection of replacement metal is included in the sale. There are also some NOS light lenses that go with the car, along with a pair of good replacement fenders, reproduction left and right-hand mirrors, and numerous other pieces.
The interior is also going to require a full restoration, but the owner has been accumulating plenty of pieces over the last 17-years to accomplish this task. He has managed to secure NOS Pierre Cardin seat material for the car, along with a genuine and nearly new AMC sports wheel. The door trims appear to be in good condition, and he has also managed to source new knobs for all of the dash controls. I can’t see a carpet set or a headliner there, so they may be two items that will need to be found to complete the interior. The Javelin was also fitted with factory air conditioning, and I believe that the entire system is present and included in the sale.
No restoration project would be complete if there wasn’t some mechanical work to be undertaken. The entire drive-train has been removed from the car, and what you get is a 360-4BBL V8 engine, a 727 TorqueFlite transmission, power steering, and power disc brakes. The car is fitted with the Go Pak, which includes the hood flap air cleaner. The engine and transmission are both going to require refurbishment, and this will give the new owner the opportunity to bring the presentation of all of these items up to the highest standard.
Taking on another person’s partly completed restoration project, especially when the car is dismantled to this stage, takes a brave individual. As I like the idea of playing Devil’s Advocate, I will say that when a shell has been dismantled to this stage, the potential buyer can see exactly what they are getting themselves into when it comes to rust repairs. It also means that the new owner has the opportunity to complete the restoration to their own standards, not the standards of another individual. It will be a big job, but the end result should be well worth the effort.
Oh heck no! Way too much work not to mention possible missing parts and hardware from someone else’s stalled project! Very risky taking over other people’s projects. Been there done that!!!
I have to agree with Keith. Restoring and re-assembling this car could be a daunting task. Also, I wouldn’t call this Javelin a “stalled restoration,” it’s basically a car that has been completely stripped down to a shell with only a very few rust repairs done. Someone very familiar with this model will know if all the parts are present, anyone else might just have to hope nothing vital is missing.
Good luck to the brave soul willing to take this one on.
Been there done that…never ever again.
What is a restored one worth that’s your answer
Well if the body is a rust bucket , the drive train needs restoration, then what is left is a name? A little overpriced, plus who wants to pick up someone’s discarded project. It looks like the guy who tore it apart, for whatever reason, just saw too much work and expence once he dove in head first. I wonder how much it would cost for some shop to reconstruct. I don’t think you could get half of that money back if sold. There are better deals out there, for sure. Don’t forget that garages want to charge twice as much to reassemble and repair someone’s failed disassembled projects. Who knows what is missing, broken, rotted in this major project. I have seen better assembled such cars in junk yards, and passed them up for much less. I don’t know man. This doesn’t sound like a deal, even for a $1000. Good luck!
it might have been worth 7500.00 as it sat on the trailer….
Yes but you still have a 73?
Owning a 71 and several over the years these cars are very intricate to put them together. If you don’t know what your doing good luck. Unfortunately it’s worth more in parts. Buy one done.
So tempting. My car in high school was a 72 Javelin sst with the 401 interceptor package and the Pierre Cardin interior. I miss the Beast.
Friend had one in the 80s blue with white stripe vinyl top auto 304 with PC interior material was slippery and not very durable.
My interior survived for 14 years and still looked new despite a cigarette burn hole. My friend totaled the car. Kids at my high school called it the beast. It would do 160mph easy. It was a very special and underrated car.