Mechanical refurbishment on a classic car can seem like a bottomless pit. It seems that you no sooner finish one task than another rears its ugly head. That isn’t the case with this 1974 AMC Javelin. The seller has sunk thousands of dollars into ensuring that it is in a mechanically sound state and can be driven and enjoyed immediately. It needs some TLC, but it appears to be a straightforward restoration project. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, you will find the Javelin listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has raced past the reserve and currently sits at $6,801.

AMC tasted significant motorsport success with the Javelin, making it no surprise that this car wears a paint shade called Trans-Am Red. It is contrasted by White side stripes, making a bold visual statement. While the owner doesn’t mention it, I suspect that the paint could be original or possibly an older repaint. It has that slightly worn look with swirls that indicate that it has seen plenty of washing during its life. The panels are generally straight, with no significant bumps or bruises. I would love to tell you that the car is rust-free, but that isn’t the case. There are problems in the lower rear quarter panels, front fender troughs, and lower corners of the back window. None of the issues look particularly bad, and repairing them shouldn’t be a problem. The trim and glass are presentable, and I doubt that the buyer will need to spend much on this aspect of the restoration. The wheels and tires look new and provide a visual indication that there could be more to this car than first meets the eye.

The Javelin rolled off the line with a 304ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and front disc brakes. With 150hp available to the driver, it would have covered the ¼ mile in 17.4 seconds. That is hardly enough to get your pulse racing, although this AMC may be able to improve on that. The engine presents well, but that’s only part of its story. The owner has added an Edelbrock Air Gap intake, a Holley 600cfm Street Warrior carburetor, Doug’s headers, a custom bent 2¼” dual exhaust, and various other performance upgrades. He claims to have spent thousands, and when you examine the parts list, the claim is easy to believe. The result is a car that runs and drives perfectly and could be driven anywhere.

The interior hasn’t escaped the seller’s attention, although there is more for the buyer to do. The dash houses an aftermarket trio of gauges to monitor engine health, while he has added a new carpet set, Dynamat, and an aluminum bulkhead between the trunk and rear seat. This is a sensible safety precaution, as the original fuel tank has made way for a JAZ Products fuel cell. The buyer will need to add fresh seat upholstery and other trim components, but with the interior looking serviceable, this isn’t an urgent need.

I have never hidden my admiration for AMC and the cars the company produced on a shoestring budget. Without the financial resources available to the Big Three, the company was always going to struggle. I often wonder what could have rolled off their production line had the bank balance been healthier. The company’s demise means we will never know. However, it is a fascinating point to ponder.