While this 1970 AMC Javelin may or may not be an original Mark Donohue Edition (specific front spoiler, ducted hood, and rear spoiler homologated for Trans-Am), it’s definitely got most of the parts to make yourself one. Besides, it’s a nifty 360 cid V8-powered muscle car with a four-speed manual. Offered for auction here on ebay.com, this Millville, New Jersey Javelin could be yours with the right bid.
The 1970-only Mark Donohue package did not restrict color choices, and this Javelin appears to have been green inside and out, a color combination generally considered less-than-optimum for resale. Note the flush door handles from a time when many cars featured a design from the 1940s.
All Mark Donahue Javelins were supposed to leave the factory with a console and floor shifter, though a few exceptions exist (thanks to hemmings.com for some details). Only dealer paperwork can authenticate a Mark Donohue Javelin as the package bore no special codes in the VIN or body tags. Furthermore most parts, including the spoilers, were either shared with other Javelin SSTs or available to dealers and customers over the parts counter.
The Mark Donohue Edition Javelin SST featured a ram-air intake and either 360 or 390 cid V8s. This car’s 360 marked the first year it grew in bore from the prior 340 343 cid. Its horsepower rating of 290 is generally understood to have been conservative. This one will need a lot of work before it tears up any corners, but the seller says it runs when fueled through the carburetor, so that’s a plus. What would you give for this possibly-special AMC?
AMC never had a 340, it was a 343.
Typo meant 304?
Thanks Loco Mikado and others. The 360 evolved from the 343. “340” was just a typo on my part. I’ve corrected it above and included a link to the source. I always appreciate your improving posts with your knowledge!
wonder what the reserve is?? Project but very cool.
Good luck to the new owner.
I have had bunches of 70 javelins and several donahues, so this one really has caught my eye. All the right stuff, but boy is it rough. Finding a primo bumper and grill may set you back as much as the whole car.
mark donahue addition? 340? fake news everywhere?
Typo meant 304?
No, he meant 343, not 340. He had said ‘step up’. The 304 is a step up from the 290. And it would be edition not addition. Theirs no fake news here, it’s just got the one mistake.
The front end damage to the bumper makes the car look pissed off. I like it.
That’s what I was thinking. I would leave the front alone. It just looks so grrrrr!!!!
get out of my way. Needs a short cigar sticking out somewhere.
Looks like the wrong year for a Donahue.
I think it was the next body style,the one with the
bulges on the front fenders.
This is the correct year.
Steve R
This is definitely the right year. My first new car was a Mark Donahue. Ordered it and received it early 70 from my home town AMC dealer. Sold it around 76 and just recently it turned up and I was notified by new owner to verify it to be the one I had ordered. It was WOW GOOD TIMES.
Wrong
Is this like John Voight’s woody k car?
Ruff ruff car
This is the Mark Donohue Javelin I remember.
This car reminds me of the old Gremlin television commercial – young gal pulls into a gas station, grizzled old station attendant barks out “Where’s the rest of your car, toots?” but in my mind he sees this and asks “Where’s the rust of your car . . . “
Funny…there is a front bumper in a old thrift store….but the guy knows what it is….
Visually there but only two ways to. Differentiate 304- 360- 390 from each other, cu. In. #s cast in block above engine mounts, an easy picture to take,, and spacing of manifold bolts old were narrower, .
OH ONE OTHER: as to year, pop exhaust off and see if dog leg ports or oval.
According to Hemming’s, you could get the Mark Donohue editions in whatever exterior colors AMC offered, but the they only came with black interiors. It also looks like there are no mounting holes in that trunk lid to bolt the spoiler too.
Nah, they came in all color interiors. I bought one off the original owner that was blue on blue, and another with a tan interior.
Kuzspike, not true on the interior colors… They had all available colors in Donohues ad well.
I agree with Classic Steel on this thing. Not sure what is going on with the hood hinge and spring on the drivers side. Any one know what the two red caps by the radiator are for? Thanks, Mike.
I believe those are air horns.
Wheather this is a Mark Donohue Javelin or not it is a sad looking car. fyi All 304, 360 came with dog leg exhaust port, and 1970 390 had same port and ofcourse 71 up 401 also had same head. With head alignment dowels 360 heads can be put on 343 and really wake up that engine. Used said dowles and 70 heads on 69 390 in my SC/RAMBLER ,ported, .030 over 12.3 TRW piston, crane fireball cam that thing was scary fast
I would paint it like Mark’s race car, like in the picture Pa Tina posted.
Like this
no paperwork to prove the “Donahue” claim? next
My 1st car in 1976 was a 1969 Javelin sst 390 4speed. V8’s available were 290 which later became 304, 343 to 360, and 390 to 401. The 304, 360, and 401 weren’t available till 1972 when body style changed to rounded fenders front and back. Getting the 390 with dual Carter AFB’s was an option. By 1972 horsepower and compression ratio were on there way down. Great car to learn how to drive on.
nope incorrect. 1971
Ummm… This one is too far gone. I love the Javelin and AMX. But, this one…? Wow. Need deep pockets and a lot of expertise. Whew! Good luck to the next owner.
Where’s Eddie Stakes?
I know where there are 2 of these around Wilson n.c., both are 390 4speed cars.They are for sale if the guy still has them, their not advertised and kinda back off the road under a lean too barn with junk all around them so good chance their still there. they looked to be pretty solid cars and everything still in tact but I would say they still need full resto… if interested let me know and the next time out that way I will get some pictures for yall.
Man, I wish it wasn’t all about “originality or not” . How about it being affordable and not worry about concourse restoration but instead someone who likes the old rides be able to get it and do what it takes to get it on the road. Possibly even hotrod the snot out of it. Nope….all about restoration and flipping for profit. If it ain’t a Mark Donahue, what’s it worth then. I’d like to know…
Man, I wish it wasn’t all about “originality or not” . How about it being affordable and not worry about concourse restoration but instead someone who likes the old rides be able to get it and do what it takes to get it on the road. Possibly even hotrod the snot out of it. Nope….all about restoration and flipping for profit. If it ain’t a Mark Donahue, what’s it worth then. I’d like to know…