I’ve seen a lot of the “coke bottle” Javelins and AMXs in ads lately, but rarely are they this nice, original, and solid. Of course, you pay the price for that as well. The car is listed here on craigslist and is located in Oswego, Illinois. The asking price is a pretty steep $12,500, but compare it to an equivalent Mopar, Mustang or Camaro and things start to look more interesting. Reader Rocco B. sent us this car – thanks, Rocco!
This is one car that I liked as soon as it appeared. The Corvette-ish front fender peaks really differentiated it at the time for me and still do, and the aggressive rear spoiler just fits the car nicely. Unlike many of these cars, this one is still wearing it’s original rallye wheels and looks completely stock. By this point, the AMX was really a trim package on the regular Javelin, rather than a separate vehicle, but it was rather exclusive as there were only 4,980 AMXs manufactured in 1974, and this was the last year of the Javelin to base it on. The next AMX would be based on a Hornet hatchback!
Neat aerodynamic touches include the lip at the end of the roof, which was put there as a result of work with Roger Penske and the AMC Trans Am series racing program. That stripe on the front is original as well; I realize it almost looks blue in some of the pictures, but I believe it is green.
Actually, I sure hope the stripe is green considering the interior color! I looked at a bunch of other AMX interiors online and didn’t see any others where the steering column is different, so I can only assume this has been replaced for some reason. The original seats sure look nice for the claimed 128,000 miles, don’t they? We are told that although the radio is the factory one, it doesn’t work. That shouldn’t be too hard to have fixed; there are a lot of specialists out there. I like the custom floor mats, too–it looks like someone has really loved this car.
This is the original 304 V8 and it’s nice to see the air conditioning compressor there, especially when we are told in the ad that the car is “factory stock for the purists.” A little cleaning under here would go a long way and be a pleasant way to spend a weekend. You won’t be tearing up the roads too much with a 304 and an automatic, but this AMX will at least be able to get out of its own way easily. I think this is an attractive example of a nice design. Would you leave it stock?
It was enough to beat the other ponies – driver – well maybe some….had to have a car under him !
I don’t think the engine is “factory stock for the purists.” it looks like the wrong color on the valve covers. sweet ride though I had one almost just like it when I was a kid. had a 360 2 barrel 175 HP with side pipes so it sounded cool. I thought I was going fast back then. (even faster because I put edelbrock and hooker header stickers on it so people would think it had some goodies under the hood. the demise of the car was when I thought it would be a good idea to tighten all of the oil pan bolts to make sure they were all tight. then it started to leak oil real bad, so bad the whole underside and even the back of the car was covered in oil and you could see it burning off so I couldn’t go on the freeway. then I got into an accident and totaled it. I got hit in the right rear quarter and I remember a whole bunch of bondo fell off all over the ground. I still could drive it though man I loved that car.
My wife loves these cars (I like them as well). Almost certain that if I showed this to her we would be on our way to pick it up. This one looks good so it probably wouldn’t be hard to convince ourselves. Sounds pretty good to me.
There was a good looking girl that had a green one like this in my hometown in the late 1970s. l liked it a lot…..
The AMC 20 really isn’t all that bad a differential. It is after all, a Dana unit. The problem is the two peice axles – more specifically the hub splines and the keyway.
When the hubs were first pressed onto the axles, the splines on the axle cut into the steel of the hub. A small woodruf key keeps things aligned.
Over time, thousands of heating and cooling cycles and other stresses, the splines become the weak point.
Couple that weak point with a powerful engine and a tire with good grip…. that hub will not live forever.
Upgrading to the one peice axle/hub eliminates the weak point
I was in sixth grade when I saw my first AMX in the flesh. It was a brand spanking new dark green metallic 69 and GOD was it beautiful.
Whatever I said about the tan Javelin a while back, times TEN for this car. While I said the tan one was as cool as it got, I take that back, THIS was as cool as it got. ( the tan one was a slightly different market than this). Aside from the original AMX, this would be the one to have. I’d say, without reservation, this was AMC’s “swan song”. Couldn’t go wrong here.Again, I only hope someone gets this, a pretty decent deal, and this car doesn’t show up on TV this Spring.
There were 4980 last year AMXs produced, of those 776 got a 401, 2320 got a 360, 1884 got a 304, the 304s all 2 barrels! This is a nice looking car, unusual white/green. No, the rear end is not weak spot. I have personally owned 392 AMXs & Javelins since 1976, 11 currently..and only ever had 2 rear ends hubs go out. The steering column on this car is GM unit AMC started using in 1970, easy to find unless tilt ones, those high dollar. Sadly the 74 AMX with 304V8s have distinction of being most cannibalized AMX or Javelin right behind the 70 Javelin; of which of the 28,210 70 Javelins made, I would estimate less than 1000 remain, their 1 year only parts stripped thru decades sadly for 70 AMX. Google ‘how many amcs left’ for more. This 74 is a nice example though that appears solid start for someone. I would even like it in my AMX & AMC collection!
Hi Eddie, wow, we better be careful what we say. Never know who is listening in. In case some don’t know, Eddie Stakes has one, if not THE most authoritative sites on AMC’s on the web. planethoustonamx. If it concerns AMC’s, it’s there. Thanks for joining in. 2 questions, will you be at the reunion in July, and any luck on the ad, “It’s a great car, dad, I just made it better”?
EDDIE, glad you made it here. This is a great place
Always thought these had 6″ to 1 foot too much nose but overall looks to be a very nice driver quality vehicle. I do have some questions about the engine paint and the steering column as you mentioned but overall it’s crusty enough to look like an honest representation. Looks slightly overpriced but not bad if it’s a turn-key driver as shown.
Beautiful cars- iconic and amazingly styled. Most rusted out so badly in the day, great to see one in such fine shape!
Irocrob: That girl might have been my oldest daughter–had a 70′ Javelin, green w/green flames and a 360 w/ A.T. Damn thing would burn the rear tires off without moving an inch, if it didn’t run out of gas first.
If I ever get another pony car, it is going to be one of these.
I like the fact that it looks sharp, is unique (how many of these do you ever see?), and the support from the community is great.
My problem is that I’m looking for a daily driver for the summer months and would be afraid that this would be too valuable (ie., expensive) to let loose with all the crazies behind the wheel these days. Not to mention too valuable to leave parked anywhere. These are a couple of reasons that I sold my ’70 Vette convertible – you can’t enjoy it if you have to worry about it every time you drive it.
Thanks for featuring this!