I’ll admit it, AMC’s cars were never high on my list. The reason is simple, back when this 1969 Javelin was built, AMC, the smallest of the domestic auto producers, just got lost in the shuffle. GM was a leviathan back then, Ford wasn’t far behind, and ChryCo won Motor Trend’s “Car of the Year” award with their second-year Plymouth Road Runner. The passage of time mostly (but not always) changes my view on a great variety of subjects and I have come to appreciate these first-gen Javelins, as well as the two-seater AMX, with much greater interest. Today’s Javelin discovery, courtesy of T.J., is certainly worthy of review. It resides in Cameron Hills, New York and is available, here on craigslist for $15,000.
Back to that little matter of numbers, the statistics for 1969 production indicate:
- GM – 4,485,000
- Ford – 2,286,000
- ChryCo* – 1,646,000
- AMC – 309,000
*(includes Imperial)
It was easy to go unnoticed in the voluminous competition! As for the Javelin, it put up numbers of 40K, compared to the Camaro’s 243K, the Mustang’s 300K, and the Barracuda’s 32K (OK, AMC did best Plymouth). Two trim levels were available, the basic Javelin and Javelin SST – a trim and appearance package. There was also a performance option known as the “Go-Package” but this example is lacking that upgrade.
One thing not lacking on this car is its “Big Bad Blue” attention-getting finish. It was a mid-year option along with two other “ignore me if you can” hues in orange and green that also included matching bumpers. The listing’s images are a bit stilted but from what can be seen, this Javelin and its ouvert paint job present well. The seller has little to say about it other than, “AMC Javelin stock original the way it came in 69. It has been driven on sunny days for the last 3 years“. If it is, in fact, original, this car has been well cared for and properly stored.
Forward progression comes about via a 290 CI V8 engine, spinning the cogs of a four-speed manual transmission. Stated as a 72K mile example, it is not said if this is a 200 or a 225 gross HP version and there’s no mention of running and/or driving characteristics.
The interior is flat-out clean! It really shows well and belies this car’s age and mileage. Plaid upholstery was all the rage in the late sixties/early seventies and this Javelin’s black vinyl trimmed variety does not disappoint. There is not an item out of place, at least visible in the images, with the dash, carpet, instrument panel, or upholstery – a rare find today and a tribute to the claimed originality.
Yes, this is most definitely a fine AMC model, and I like it! I’m not sure about the electric blue finish but I must admit that a Javelin makes for a great alternative to an overpriced Camaro or Mustang. I’ll give this one two thumbs up, how about you?
IIRC, the 290 was AMC’s answer to the low HP 273, 283 and 289. It was a good MPG car, appealing to those that wanted something American and not seen on every street corner or stop light. Personally I prefer the look of these to others of the era, though their Big Bad Blue wasn’t a favorite..
Interesting that they outsold the Barracuda! There’s our BF history lesson of the day, Jim, thank you.
Hmmm, why were the bumpers painted over?
The painted bumpers came from the factory that way as part of the “big bad” option package.
That was part of the AMC “Big Bad” option
I’d proudly drive it.👍👍
Jim – great article and yes, two thumbs up. It is rare and the price is a good ballpark area to be in. It’s nice to see an owner that presents honestly and also has a reasonable asking price, not utterly ridiculous. I think I’d enjoy it the way it is, maybe a few tweaks here and there but basically it’s a good cars and coffee and. – CRUISING IT AROUND! That’s what it’s all about, having fun. You know, it would be nice if a young father and his kid could enjoy this car and maybe even work on it on the weekends. Hope it goes to a good home. Good luck to everyone.
I bought new in 1970 after getting out of the Navy a 1970 REBEL “THE MACHINE” IT WAS a fairly good hot rod ..had the rearends replaced several times ( driver abuse) it would smoke tires like no tomorrow. I went parking in a farmers tomato field the creek next to us over flowed..we had to swim a shore..tough to explain to insurance company and wife oops
Looks like a nice buy for someone! Great price too! No go pac but the manual transmission sure does help! Initial thought is a good value for the price!
Poor man’s endura bumpers – any other AMC models get body color painted bumpers? Very kewl, IMO.
Any other manufacturer paint steel bumpers body color?
An optional chrome or body colored steel front bumper for the ’70-73 firebird would have been interesting & lot less troublesome than the eventual cracking factory endura ones.
$15K seems fair – nice example like the color
Looks like a great deal!!
The big bad colors came with color matched bumpers
I had a 1969 AMX THAT WAS A 390CI 4 speed ! A cam change , headers, accel duau point distriber and a big holley duel feed carb turned this lil beast into a beast that was eating most of the big 3 autos hi performance street machines up ! Wat I would give to have that lil rocket back!
I like it.
The pictures are a lil fuzzy but looks bubbles around rear quarter wheel well opening.
To All the folks that opine about the prices of classics: Well here it is. V8, 4 speed, attentiin getting color. Just a great entry level classic that will hold its own and garner attention at virtually any cars and coffee.
Well said John 👏
Agreed. It’s nice to see fewer comments from those folks lately!
My older brother had a Javelin, but it was dark green, black interior if I recall correctly. But I do recall his girlfriend sure liked going for rides in it…
Had a beautiful red 74 javelin 409 automatic floor shift that car would Boogie and it would corner with the best of them I couldn’t say anything at all bad about that car worked for car lots back in the day and got to drive the ssts the amx’s everything else and my little 74 held up with the rest of them and took off from most of them left him in the dust and yeah it was a blast to see how far I could burn the tires down State Street Salt Lake City at 11:00 at night with everybody watching fun times way back in the day when you could actually do that
If your car was stock it had a 401, not a 409.
I owned a 1970 Javelin SST with the go pack 390. I have it to my little brother. One of the worst mistakes l ever made.l also gave him a 1968 cutless cov . Brother love.
I still miss AMC.
Same here. I had more enjoyment and fewer problems with the AMCs I owned compared to the other domestics.
My Dad bought a new 68 Javelin SST with the 343 and an automatic. When my brother came home from Vietnam, he bought a 69 AMX, and it had the 290 and a 4 speed. Both beautiful cars. I have always liked them, and yes this one seems to be a bargain.
Glad it is on the opposite coast, then I don’t have to torment myself about not buying it.
I really like this one. It’s close enough to stock to restore it that way. I had a buddy in high school who was into AMC and had a couple Javelins. Cool rides. He helped/performed/taught me how to paint cars on my Fairlane back in the 80s. Funny, my nickname for him was TJ, since that was his initials.
I always liked the Javlin over the AMX somehow the Javelin is more symmetrical, I like this one but not the color so much but for 15k I’d deal with it. Compared to some this is a steal.
Seems a bit odd that the car has a tach but no disc brakes. Perhaps the tach was added later…along with the package tray. Charcoal Glengarry interior is not common.