Are you interested in standing out from the pack at the local car show? If so, consider this clean 1971 AMC Javelin SST found here on Facebook Marketplace. Located in Cincinnati, OH, this old school muscle car can be yours for the asking price of $23,500. While not as ubiquitous as their Ford, GM, and Mopar counterparts, the Javelin was nonetheless a street brawler with tough lines. Thank you to TJ for sending in this tip!
By the time the 60s ended, all the car manufacturers were operating at peak output. Every car manufacturer battled for muscle supremacy, and heavyweights after heavyweights were released to the public. From big-block Chevelles to Cobra Jet Torinos, some of the greatest cars ever created emerged during this period, and many consider it to be unmatched in the history of American automobiles. AMC was never considered a significant player in the muscle car wars, but that all changed when they entered the pony car race with the Javelin in 1967 (for the 1968 model year). Designed by Dick Teague to compete with the Big 3, the Javelin certainly had the looks, and in specific packages, the performance to keep up with the big boys.
Looking through the pictures in this listing, we get a decent look at this example of the second-generation Javelin. The seller describes this car as being in “original condition.” Unfortunately, that can mean so many things, but if this car is indeed original, it looks to be in fantastic condition. The paint looks great in a seafoam green, complemented by the white stripe and top treatments. No significant wear is visible in the interior pictures, and the faux wood grain complements the paint color very well. And to round out the boulevard brawler vibe, this SST is shod in mag wheels with white letter tires.
Driving an AMC has always garnered respect in my book. You can practically build a brand-new Mustang or Camaro from a catalog, so driving something that doesn’t have anywhere near the aftermarket support or public visibility is very cool. While nothing looks as tough as a Bullitt Mustang, an AMC Javelin decked out in Trans-Am livery is pretty darn close. So what is your take on AMC’s? Have you ever driven a Javelin or a Marlin? Let those AMC flags fly!
This is one very nice clean Javelin. Love the color combination too. The Turquoise with the white stripes and white roof really makes it pop. I’d be very proud to own this one for sure. Very nice find. I agree with you Dusty, I don’t know how hard it is get parts for these, but I’m sure its a lot easier with Mustangs and Camaros like you said
Very nice write up too.
Thank you, Driveinstile! Appreciate it!
304 w autoloader. Perfect mild AMC cruiser for Howard 😎
To have a 304 two barrel AND a automatic is a shame . They made most of these with that combo . And thats why they couldnt give them away back then .
Not a muscle car. Perhaps a sports coupe or something similar.
Beautiful color and condition!
My only odd knock on the car is from sitting in the passenger seat. You feel like your a third wheel because you are totally excluded from seeing the dash from the curve of the dash.
“AMC was never considered a significant player in the muscle car wars, but that all changed when they entered the pony car race with the Javelin in 1967”
Uhmmmm, 1957 Rambler Rebel ….
Yes, and thank-you‼️
My sister had one of these SST’s, a 1972 with the 360. Metallic copper with the roof in black. It was actually a very nice car, and even years ago, you didn’t see a ton of them. This one looks really nice.
I was semi-interested until the 304 automatic…..
Had a Hornet X with a 304
.A Fun Fast Ride!
Why are there so many slush box Javelins and AMX’S?
Why are there so many slush box Javelins and AMX’S?
Because AMC just didnt get it . They never did . That fact and them building their cars from everyone elses parts bins , hurt them badly . And the build ” quality ” . …….
I worked for an AMC dealer from 1970 until 1980. I think the build quality was akin to all rhe rest. The interiors were better, the engines were fine, thedrivelines were the same as every other brand. They suffered like every other make with driveability issues brought on by government mandated emission controls. No one knew what to do to make them run well. Every Detroit manufacturer got a huge wake up call from the Japs. If Japan didn’t force. Adetroit to make better cars they would have never built better cars
Their build quality was as good and some times better than others. Look at how many 68 thru 70 AMX’s and Javelins, and 71 thru 74 Javelins and Javelin AMX’s have survived out of the few that were sold compaired to the Big Three offerings that were built. AMC also built most cars when they were ordered, they didn’t build thousands and send them out to be sold. Most were ordered with the auto trans. I love my 1970 360 V8, 3 speed auto AMX !!!
Really? All those Mustangs with 302 2 barrel engines. Lots of Camaros with 307s and drum brakes too. All manufacturers used outside suppliers. Whether the transmission is Borg Warner or GM/Mopar, it saves a ton in development costs. Nobody makes all the stuff for their vehicles. That goes back even further than Henry Ford, who relied on the Dodge Brothers for many mechanical parts. Then there is Walter Chrysler. He did not start his own company from scratch. After a successful time at GM, he purchased Maxwell-Chalmers. The Dodge brothers died from the flu and their company then became part of the nascent Chrysler corp.
AMC didn’t build the quantity of cars as the Big Three. Most of theirs were built on demand, when ordered they bult the cars, so the automatic 304 Javelins were ordered that way. The quality of their cars was as good as the others. In 1968 thru 1970 less than 20,000 AMX’s and 122,000 Javelins were built, look at how many have survived and are being driven today.
?? Probably comparable numbers against Camaro, Corvettes and Mustangs. Slushboxes everywhere, for many years. Corvette probably has more automatics from the C3 forward, and definitely from the C4.
Not significant in muscle car wars? What’s significant mean. Check out Trans Am series.
I miss AMC.
To have a 304 two barrel AND a automatic is a shame . They made most of these with that combo . And thats why they couldnt give them away back then .
That was the rental car spec, as well as what dealers ordered for dealer stock. I worked for AMC from 72-76, and we were supposed to get AMC rental cars whenever possible. Don’t recall ever getting anything but a 304.
Yes, that was the standard option for the rental car fleets, as well as the dealer orders for stock. But everybody did that. I worked for AMC in 72-76, and we were to specify AMC vehicles for rentals. Every one of those had the 304. Could have been worse with a six!
Yes, that was the standard option for the rental car fleets, as well as the dealer orders for stock. But everybody did that. I worked for AMC in 72-76, and we were to specify AMC vehicles for rentals. Every one of those had the 304. Could have been worse with a six!