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Two-Owner Survivor: 1971 AMC Javelin SST

If an enthusiast is searching for a turn-key classic to park in their workshop, a couple of attributes could help a particular candidate’s cause. While it isn’t always the case, long-term ownership can indicate that the vehicle in question has survived because it has been treated with care and respect. When you find a car like this 1971 Javelin SST that has only had two owners in half a century, that is reassuring. That it has been garage-kept since new is the second attribute that helps instill confidence in potential buyers. The seller has decided that the time has come for the Javelin to have a third owner, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, and the bidding has passed the reserve to sit at $6,913. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this SST for us.

The Javelin wears a shade called Mustard Yellow, and it isn’t clear whether the vehicle has ever received any restoration work or paint touch-ups. If it is original, that makes its condition pretty impressive. It holds a deep shine, with no signs of patchiness or other issues. There’s no evidence of rock chips, even in prone areas like the lower rear quarter panels just behind the wheel openings. The panels are straight, and there’s not a hint of any rust that the buyer would need to tackle. The owner doesn’t indicate any hidden problems, and the lack of surface corrosion across various areas of the car gives us cause to be quietly optimistic. The glass looks pretty respectable, as does the exterior trim. That doesn’t mean that the buyer will have nothing to do. The wheels have become oxidized, and I think they would benefit from some determined work with a high-quality metal polish to return them to their best. With that completed, the Javelin should make a positive impression wherever it goes.

Turning our attention to the AMC’s interior reveals mixed messages. The supplied photos aren’t the greatest, but we gain an interesting insight into this car’s life. The interior is trimmed in Black vinyl, although the owner has swapped in a different set of front seats that wear Black cloth. The original seats are included, but the covers are split and tattered. That means that the buyer will face the choice of either living with mismatched seats or spending around $560 on a new set of front covers in the correct color and material. The rest of the interior looks to be in good order, with only some minor damage to the driver’s door trim worth noting. The wheel doesn’t appear to have any excessive wear, and it appears that the dash still houses the original radio.

The original owner ordered the SST with the 304ci 2V V8, an automatic transmission, and power steering. This was the smallest V8 that AMC offered during the 1971 model year, and while it was no fireball, its 210hp was enough to see the Javelin cover the ¼ mile in 17 seconds. However, it did offer a reasonable compromise when it came to fuel consumption, making the 304-equipped Javelin an excellent long-distance tourer. The owner believes that the car is fully numbers-matching, and he indicates that he recently had the carburetor rebuilt. The vehicle has also only accumulated around 20,000 miles since he treated the transmission to a rebuild. It seems that the Javelin runs and drives well. He provides this YouTube video that supports this. That 304 sounds sweet, there’s no evidence of smoke or unwanted noises, and the car seems to roll down the road with no problems.

As a turn-key classic, this 1971 AMC Javelin SST has its share of positive attributes. It presents well, and the fact that it has been garage-kept since new has helped it to remain in excellent condition for its age. The V8 under its hood sounds crisp and strong, and it appears to want for nothing mechanically. It isn’t perfect, but the right buyer could lift its overall presentation to the next level without breaking the bank. It seems that a few people like what they see, which explains why the listing has already received eighteen bids. Now that the reserve has been met, that third owner is only a few days away. Are you tempted to become that person?

Comments

  1. Avatar JACKinNWPA Member

    I was tempted but now that it has this extra super good advertising the steal deal is gone ( insert smile emoji ) It does look like a great Javelin but I wonder why the owner doesn’t say or know that the grill is from a 1973 or 74 Javelin. My 71 304 2 bbl runs so good that I would never modify it unless I had to. Not many people know that these came from the factory with fuel induction and electric ignition and that makes them very special indeed.

    Like 7
    • Avatar Doug

      What is “Fuel Induction” when you have a 2 bbl carb??

      Like 6
    • Avatar Rick

      And what is “electric” ignition?

      This car has the Delco point and condenser system sourced from GM.

      AMC’s first factory installed electronic ignition system was a Motorcraft system sourced from Ford. Its first model year was 1975.

      Like 3
    • Avatar Brian Casey

      Jack I had a 71 sst when I was 16. It was a great car also with the 304 2bbl. I wish I could find one now. Mine also ran very good!

      Like 0
  2. Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

    Great design by Dick Teague.

    Like 7
  3. Avatar KC John Member

    I like these except for the pontoon shaped front fenders. Always thought that was a design flaw. Just my opinion, no need to shoot me AMC fans. Nicely preserved example and not a second mortgage prices……yet.

    Like 7
    • Avatar Mike Roberts

      I agree with KC John about the fenders. The earlier Javelins looked better.

      Like 7
      • Avatar Chris Member

        I totally agree with the fender comments….that bulge makes them look pregnant! My pops had a 68 Javelin….great memories!

        Like 1
    • Avatar Don P

      I am a huge 1970 fan. Since the day the 71 was introduced I hated those fenders. If you have seen the gold Prestone Javelin, it looks fabulous, I think because the huge cowl induction hood drew attention away from the weird fender bumps.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Stevieg

    Cool car! Even if the wrong grill (I am from Wisconsin, but I don’t know much about AMC products, & I never would have known had someone not said something), I would still drive it with pride.
    I Google searched the color chart for this. Mustard yellow wasn’t an option. This appears to be Baja yellow. Canary yellow was also an option. But since Baja yellow seems to be about the same shade as mustard, I am not going to complain about the writer as some people here would.
    I searched it out only because I couldn’t imagine any auto manufacturer naming a color after a condiment lol.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Edward Skakie

    I think the front fender bumps/pontoons make it stand out, and I’m sorry that my shop is full, and my wallet is empty. It may have been built on a Friday or a Monday, as I see a dashboard screw half in/half out, in the VIN pic. I agree with the replacment seats, as they would provide more comfort than the originals.This car is a buy.

    Like 2
  6. Avatar Bob19116

    The front fenders are unique and scream quirky AMC so the car is not misidentified as a similar looking Ford or Chrysler. AMC fans refer to these 2nd generation Javelins as the “Humpster.”

    Like 1
  7. Avatar Angel_Cadillac_Diva Member

    Looks to me like a repaint. The yellow under the hood is a much softer yellow, like a butter cream compared to the hard mustard yellow on the car.
    Other than that, I have always like the design of all Javlins, including the “pontoons”

    Like 2
  8. Avatar JT Member

    I believe that the color could/ should be Mellow Yellow. Great car.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Howie Mueler

    Just over $10k now, sellers feedback (1).

    Like 1
  10. Avatar AMCFAN

    I wouldn’t get too excited here. Maybe I have been around them too long. The 71 304 cars are everywhere and not a good choice to get in on unless a manual transmission. The small BW auto transmissions in the 71 are junk. Good luck finding parts or someone to fix them. 72-74 use Torqueflyte and much better. I would rather have a 360 or 401 engine. Much better car.

    My guess here is one of two things. The 71 grille if mint is $1500. Either the guy took it out for another car (with drilling holes can be used correctly on the 71-74 AMX) or too cheap to pay up to buy the correct one.

    The wheels on this have to be the poorest choice in AMC wheels. 14″ Polly cast used in the later 1970’s and often found on Pacer and Hornets. Wow. CL or FB would have netted any number of aftermarket wheels on the cheap.

    As far as the “pontoon” fenders thank Mark Donohue. With his engineering skills had a hand on the design. Blame him. There are many nuances aimed at racing. Those fenders played a huge part along (bigger wider front tires with the ease of lowering the front on the ground) with the built in spoiler on the roof. A plus to think of. AMC was so adamant to win races they designed a car specific to do so even if it meant putting some people off. No major US automaker has done anything like that before or after.

    I have owned and driven them all. Although the same basic under structure as the 68-70 to actually drive the car and look over the hood and interior layout an amazing job from the factory. The 71-74 feels better and more solid than the 1970. Less interior rattles and better fitment. Parts are easier to find as the 1970’s have many many one off body and interior parts. 68-69 Javelins are fine but for a little more you can get a two seater AMX. Both cost the same to restore but with the AMX it is an AMX.

    Like 7
    • Avatar JoeNYWF64

      I think these wheels look pretty good on this car, certainly better looking than the “styled sport” steel wheels on the ’69-70 mustang & other Fords with the baby hub caps.
      These wheels just need some RWL tires or ultra thin whitewalls, both tho cost a lot more money than the overseas blackwalls 1 can get these days.
      Nonetheless, the winning bidder got a lot of nice car for the money! & i would imagine this car gets an upgrade soon at least to dual exhaust.
      The ’71-74 feels & rides better than the earlier ones probably cause they are a lot heavier. Same thing with the 1st vs 2nd gen GM f-bodies. But weight does not usually help braking or handling or accel or nimbleness.

      Like 0

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