American Motors got into the pony car game in 1968 using a platform that originated with the Rambler American. While not a big seller compared to the Ford Mustang or Chevy Camaro, the Javelin helped reshape the company’s image as a builder of economical or family cars. Production lasted for seven years, with a redesign coming in 1971. The ‘72s were largely a carryover, including this sharp edition that looks to be in good condition with just a couple of issues. Located in Broomfield, Colorado, this Javelin is available here on eBay where the reserve has yet to be met at $11,200.
We’re told the seller’s Javelin has the basic AMC 304 cubic inch V8, which may be original to the car. It would have been one of almost 15,000 Javelins built that year, excluding other powerplant installations and AMX production which had become a beefed-up Javelin the year before.
The seller’s car has just been treated to a new blue paint job with white stripes. We’re told that while it looks good in the photos, it was not a show-quality refresh. According to the seller, you won’t find any rust on the Javelin, including the undercarriage and the pics support that. The Javelin has both new mag wheels and tires, with wider versions of both in the back, supported by air shocks. The interior looks equally nice with just a couple of cracks in some of the plastic pieces in the back.
This car’s small-block V8 and automatic transmission operate smoothly and get the job done. However, the seller indicates that the gearbox leaks a bit, but nothing major at 73,000 actual miles. The carburetor has been rebuilt and we’re told the automobile needs no other mechanical attention. This Javelin has a throwback look to it, ready to take on challengers at traffic lights. That might not turn out well as it’s a bit more show than go. And that’s okay by me.
Nice, nice, nice. Milwaukenosha’s finest moment!! What a beautiful car, being a Milwaukee native, I may be a bit partial, but look at it. Beats your stinkin’ Hyundai with a stick any day. When America made the best cars on the rock. Whatever happened to that?
Like the car but the wheels and air shocks need to go. I would be torn with ownership and wanting to keep it stock. I would be too inclined to build a 401 with brakes and suspension to match. Would make a nice sleeper to sneak up on the pesky GM and Ford crowd.
The look of this car captures what myself and friends were doing in the 70s. None of our cars were overly fast but had the look of being fast just sitting still. This is a very nice looking car I wouldn’t mine having if I were in the market for a car. The price seems fair to me and it’s definitely clean. This is how you do a 70s car imo. Nice.
To Howard, I would say that when there were oil embargos and consumers realized the MPG on larger cars was in the single digits, American buyers looked more to smaller cars. Congress added the CAFE legislation mandating better mileage before the technology existed. Japan had a headstart in building economical and dependable smaller cars. The Vega had quality issues. The Citation and X cars were also rushed into production but had many recalls. The Pinto ran well but got bad press over fiery gas tank ruptures in rear end collisions. So buyers turned to imports in greater numbers. The Gremlin was a 6 cylinder base model wirh a chopped rear end styling and didn’t compete in mileage or looks. The OPEC embargo and the reaction to it put American cars in a sales deficit. With increased sales, Toyota and Honda invested in producing larger models and took over the intermediate market American had dominated.
Doug, I agree most drivers in that period bought the smaller V8 because of high muscle car insurance and poor gas mileage on bigger family cars and large displacement pony cars. Reading the comments in Barn Finds, some only want high performance variants of production models or falsely believe all cars were like that 50 years ago. The concern today based on that is that Fords, Chevy and Mopar products are collectible with big block engines so nice cars like the Javelin 304 would be left as an orphan in the resale race.
Yep, the air shocks, big wheels in the rear…cool wheels too, nice paint and stripe. Open the hood and the truth be told…all show and no go. Not that it matters, it doesnt have headers or chrome air cleaner, if any of that stuff was needed on a 304. Just a cool looking ride from years ago. Leave it alone just as it sits.
Great looking car. When AMC got it right, they got it right in spades.
I remember when the ’72 Javelin was introduced, I wasn’t too crazy about the ‘humps’ over the front wheels, but they have grown on me. But I still think the long nose is out of proportion to the rest of the car.
Yes very sharp, with no mud flaps it must get lots on the body when going thru water.
From the eBay ad;
“…there is only one leak on this vehicle gearbox is leaking, factory air is not working at this time, this car needs nothing!”
Say what?
Now, now, Steve, no need to highlight the sellers wacky sales pitch. That is pretty funny, though.
AMC also had a hot-looking car with the AMX.
Remove wheels and air shocks and leave it alone ps I heard 72 I think the last 200 were sold to Alabama state police never seen one
Worth nothing with the 304…build a 401 with a 6-71 blower, a 4-speed with a Hurst RamRod shifter, and put some actual Cragars on it and, then, you’ll have something. Not to mention, it’ll then be worth twice what it is now.
A/C was not common on these cars. Red engine suggests a California delivery.