Cambridge defines a javelin as “a long stick with a pointed end that is thrown in sports competitions,” and American Motors Corporation’s car of the same name certainly matches that description. Thanks to Ford’s hugely popular Mustang, we call the long nose, short deck look a “Pony Car,” and AMC created the Javelin to earn a slice of the hot pony car market. With sporty good looks, a larger back seat and more luggage space than the Mustang, AMC had a good formula. This 1971 AMC Javelin SST in Severance, Colorado came with the top dog 401 and a four-speed manual transmission. Sadly those important mechanical components are long gone, but the seller states that only 582 such cars were produced, and this one comes with a donor car to help with a restoration. The listing here on Craigslist asks a mere $5500 for the two-car combo. Thanks to ConceptCarz for some details, and to reader Gunter K for spotting the pointy roadgoing weapon.
The spicy 401 cid (6.6L) V8 that once filled this void made 335 HP and a stout 435 lb-ft of torque, stacking up well with Ford’s 390 cid mill and other contemporary pony car powerplants. Back up the 401 with the four-cog gearbox and you’ll want to point this aerodynamic spear into the wind and have some fun.
AMC budgeted for one body style, and the flowing rear could be described as a semi-fastback, utilizing a conventional trunk and not a hatchback. Without the deep pockets of the Big Three automakers, AMC still managed to win a Trans Am road racing championship, making the Javelin’s sporting pedigree hard to ignore. I always picture Javelins in Trans Am form, and I’d consider building a Trans Am tribute, but not from this one.
This car’s mild blue color scheme carries from the outside to the inside as well. Being an underdog gave AMC the freedom to make more polarizing choices when it came to styling and other choices, driving strong feelings one way or the other. The Javelin’s exaggerated front fenders rise above the hood line, a feature that’s hard to miss and gives the car an aggressive look. You can dress up a Mustang with a vinyl top and shiny chrome and pretend it’s a small luxury car, but that would never work on a Javelin. AMC’s pony car is more like that dodgy guy at every bar who looks like he might lash out and bust you in the jaw for no reason. “Are YOU looking at ME?” A light blue Javelin with 460 HP might be a certified hoot in a sea of been there, done that Camaros and Mustangs. AMC fans perpetually benefit from the low cost of entry when it comes to classic muscle. Even without the powertrain it’s easy to ask “How could you go wrong for $5500?” Would you take a chance on this two-car combo deal?
This is a cool factory sleeper. Having owned a couple javelins and a javelin AMX I’d be tempted. Looks like the 360 car could be made worthy once a title was obtained. The 401 SST deserves a full restoration…
The 1971 401 4 speed SST is a rare bird. Not as showy as the AMX package with the fiberglass hood and spoilers but just as deadly. The vin is specific. M=manual Z=401. It has a lot going for it despite it’s missing drivetrain. This is an August 1970 build meaning a very early car. It would have contained the Ultra High Comp 401.
The grill looks great and a bonus. Rust is minimal and panels look straight. The A7A paint color is unusual with blue interior. The major costs will be locating the 401. Not impossible. The T10 and trimmings around $1000. The 71-74 Hurst shifter is specific. 68-70 will work but the throw is longer.
Chassis hard parts are available. Seat material and carpet available. That rim blow steering wheel will need restored. Expect that to be as much as $1500. It’s not going to be cheap to restore this car. Its best done by someone who knows AMC vehicles and restored them. The survival rate for this combo has to be less than 100 today. I have owned two and one has left the US and is in Sweden today.
If you could talk the seller into forgetting the 72 in this deal you would be better off. Shipping from Colorado to somewhere East could be $2000 or more for one car. Normally they wont give breaks for shipping two. The car has no title and nothing special under the hood combined with wrong color interior parts. 71-74 parts are easily obtainable since most everything interchanges.
Interesting that the author sees the Javelin’s shape to be aggressive. I’ve always considered the 2nd generation Javelin’s curves to be very feminine.
I am sure the competition on the track in many a Trans Am race didn’t think that way since they couldn’t beat it. The car continued to win long after Penske sold it to another team and resold numerous times afterward.
The design was a love or hate. AMC knew it. A compromise to win races and to incorporate into a passenger car. When Penske and Donohut took over the Racing team in 1970 AMC had planned a redesign for 71. Donohue being an engineer and Dick Teague head of design worked it out. The design put AMC in the winners circle winning back to back championships.
So what you have is the only an American passenger NOT of limited to meet homoligination requirements. The AMC Matador Coupe 74-78 was also created with the sole intent to win races. The Javelin at Trans AM and the Matador for Nascar. The Matador did it’s job as designed too. Mr. Allison was very fond of it.
These are rare cars I have a 72 401 4 speed that supposed to be one of approximately 125 built.