- Seller: Alex P
- Location: Culver City, California
- Mileage: 11,832 Shown
- Chassis #: A4C797H288698
- Title Status: Clean
This 1974 AMC Javelin is an extremely promising project candidate. It needs a cosmetic refresh but is a structurally sound classic with only minor exterior rust issues. Most of the required tasks could be tackled in a home workshop, making it ideal for a restoration rookie or someone willing to be hands-on with their build. The owner wants it to head to a new home, listing it with us at Barn Finds.
AMC released its Second Generation Javelin for the 1971 model year, featuring radically different styling from its predecessor. There was little to separate the pair in wheelbase and length, but the company sought to achieve a look that would leave people with no doubt what they were looking at. However, changing market tastes began impacting pony car sales, with our feature car rolling off the line during the final year of Javelin production in 1974. Its original owner ordered it in Snow White, and there is no evidence that it has previously undergone restoration or significant repairs. Both front fenders sport damage on their leading edges, but they are repairable if the new owner exercises patience. The fender lights still operate, and the distinctive square indicator lights are in the trunk. The remaining panels look good, with only minor blemishes that won’t pose a challenge to repair. The best news with this classic is its lack of rust. AMC focused heavily on rust prevention strategies when building cars like the Javelin, and the new owner will reap the benefits of that attention to detail. There are small bubbles in the left rear quarter panel, but the remaining lower extremities are clean. It is a similar story below deck, with the floors appearing as solid as the day this car rolled off the line. The new owner will undoubtedly replace the damaged front bumper, although the remaining trim and glass look readily acceptable for a driver-grade restoration.
Lifting the hood reveals this Javelin’s 304ci V8. The buyer also receives a three-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes. When new, this V8 produced 150hp and 245 ft/lbs of torque, but the shiny carburetor may unleash some additional ponies. A ¼-mile ET of 17.5 seconds was highly competitive in 1974, but this gem might improve upon that figure. The current owner says the Javelin ran and drove exceptionally well until around three weeks ago. The motor winds over but refuses to spring to life. They suspect the culprit is a timing or cap issue, which is something for the buyer to diagnose and rectify. The interior is trimmed in Black vinyl, with the owner admitting it would benefit from a refresh. The parts to achieve a high-end driver result are readily available, and this could be one of the more satisfying tasks with this build.
The AMC Javelin spent decades as the forgotten member of the pony car family, but they now receive the recognition they richly deserve. This 1974 model is a promising project candidate, and with values climbing above the market average, returning it to its former glory would be a worthwhile exercise for a hands-on enthusiast. The result could be a tidy, affordable driver and a solid long-term investment prospect. I can’t think of a downside to that scenario. Can you? If you’d love to be this AMC’s next owner, be sure to make an offer!
AMC put a lot of effort into these cars considering the business end of automobile manufacturing and their financial situation. I personally consider these a deal today compared to the prices of the period competition. It has its drawbacks, but they all do.
This is a nice car. Fun to look at and you’ll surely have the only one at most shows. AMC put some effort into making this car unique and predicts the Matador styling that would show up this same year.
Solid body – 304 was Trans-am engine it CAN be modded I do believe there’s a 4bolt conversion kit that can be machined onto the crank.
Saw a YouTube vid on it.
Heads ported polished hotter cam roller lifters and higher rate springs & push rods all part of the trans-am factory mods.
The HD suspension etc are aftermarket the wild factory style side pipes can be had & locker rear end.
Price is right
Rarest part I’d hunt down is German dash instruments higher speedometer & RPM & gauge cluster,AMC had an assembly factory in Germany – there’s parts out there but ya gotta be serious.
Finest example of this model I’ve ever seen sits in the Swiss Alps a silver & black stripe SST in pristine condition optioned out.
It makes ya sweat looking at it.
Need interior shots (horseshoe shifter?) and in trunk. Good shot of the damage a from a few more close up angles would be good too.
Not one shot inside. What are you hiding? Hard pass. Shame to. One of my families favorite cars out there.
I had a ’73 Barracuda with the 318 and knew a couple of guys who had this generation Javelin with the 304. So, pretty much similar pony cars from the era. I liked the interior of the Javelin better than the Barracuda.
Now, if I was to spend 10 – 15K, I could get a lot of Javelin and not much Barracuda. I would go for the Javelin.
more inaccurate info: the factory 304 was not the Trans Am motor. For 68-69, the TA motor was an over-bored 290 presumably using group 19 forged internals etcetera. The factory 304 is a stroked 290 with the regular factory cast iron reciprocating assembly. The 1970 TA motor was a de-stroked 360; ~ 2.97″. This motor presumably used the so-called thick wall 360 block that is basically a 390-401 block. These blocks had thicker main webs and could accommodate a 4 bolt main provision. Finding the Group19 steel rods and crank for a 290-343 motor or a 304-360 motor is a very tall task. Steel aftermarket rods for 304-360 motors are available and these could also be used in the 290-343 blocks, which have a lower deck. A steel crank for 290-304-343-360 engines can be acquired from the aftermarket $$$$$, just be prepared to go without food for a year. The factory cast crank can be prepped to be reliable at moderately high RPM.