AMC Javelin
 |
1973 AMC Javelin AMX Pierre Cardin edition |
The
AMC Javelin was a "
pony car" built by the
American Motors Corporation between
1968 and
1974. It was intended to rival other similar cars of the era such as the
Ford Mustang and
Chevrolet Camaro.
When AMC debuted the Javelin in 1968, the full production version of one of the AMX prototypes that was shown around the USA during the 1966 AMX project tour, it was available with a variety of AMC engines from an economical
232 in³ straight-6 through three
V8s, including (with the optional "Go Package") a 4-barrel
carbureted 343 in³ V8. That package also included power front
disc brakes, dual exhausts, and wide tires. The
SST trim level gave a greater degree of luxury. In 1969 the AMX 390 engine was offered as a Javelin option. A "Big Bad" paint (brilliant blue, orange and green) option (eg: "Big bad Javelin") included a curious roof spoiler for the Javelin, but not the AMX. AMC supplanted the AMX and Javelins with a full range of "Group 19" dealer installed performance accessories which included a dual four barrel cross ram intake manifold, high performance camshaft kit, needle bearing roller rocker arms, dual point ignition and even a rear disc brake kit. Rear seat shoulder belts were also a dealer installed accessory.
Road & Track compared the Javelin favorably to its competitors on its introduction in 1968. They felt that the lack of a "big, heavy, super-powerful engine" was an asset in such a small vehicle, and called the styling "pleasant". The non-power steering in the "quick-steering" option received poor marks, however, as did the disc/drum brakes. Many journalists also complained about AMC's safety-style interior saying it was dull or bland.
A two-seat, shortened version of the first Javelin model was produced for the same years; the
AMC AMX.
Engines
* 232 in³
AMC I6* 290 in³
AMC V8* 343 in³
AMC V8, 280 hp (209 kW) and 365 ft.lbf (495 Nm) (gross)
* 390 in³
AMC V8The Javelin was restyled in 1971 to incorporate various elements that had been desired modifications to the earlier Javelins for racing in the Trans-Am circuits. A roof spoiler became integral. The fender bulges racers made to accept wide racing tires was adapted, but the way AMC stylists arched the fenders over the wheelwells begged for criticism from the media; "... like the Corvette, but less graceful..." A wide range of engines and transmissions were offered from an economical 232 I6 to the potent 4-barrel 401 AMC V8, that featured high compression, forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods dynamically engineered for 8000 rpm. The interior was made non-symmetrical where nearly every component is unique to its position, as opposed to the Hornet (Cavalier prototype in 1966) which was a study in symmetry. The
Pierre Cardin interior employed a very imaginative stripe pattern that ran from the seats up the doors onto the roof and back down to the other seats again, using a tough, but satinlike, unusual fabric on the seat faces. Starting in 1971, the AMX idea evolved into a performance option for the Javelin. The Javelin AMX incorporated a full host of racing modifications learned on the track into a street version AMC advertised as "The closest thing you can buy to a Trans-Am champion" Javelin AMXs' came with a racer type stainless steel mesh screen to cover the grille opening, a fiberglass full width cowl induction hood, and front and rear spoilers to increase traction at high speed. These Javelins competed successfully in
Trans-Am racing in a Penske/Donohue team. The Javelin won the Trans-Am title in 1971, 1972 and 1973.
Production ended in 1974 amidst the Arab oil embargo and overall declining interest in high performance vehicles. To AMC's credit, the Javelin never lost its big engine option, unlike other contemporary ponycars.
Because of general low collector interest in AMC products, the Javelin does not command the high prices of other musclecar and ponycar models. However, in its day the Javelin always sold respectably well, and regularly outsold both the Plymouth Barracuda and Dodge Challenger so popular today.
Javelins equipped with the 401 in³ engine were used by the
Alabama State Police as a
police car in 1971 and 1972.
Right hand drive versions of both the first and second generation models were assembled in Australia from CKD kits. The right hand drive dash and required components were locally manufactured. Javelins were also popular in Europe, primarily because they had the largest and most useable rear seat of the American pony cars.
The AMC Javelin has the following specifications:
*
Length: 191.8 in (4872 mm)
*
Width: 75.2 in (1910 mm)
*
Wheelbase: 110 in (2794 mm)
*
*
AMC at Muscle Car Facts -- A year by year account of the AMC Javelin.
*
AMC Javelin TV Commercial featuring Richard Dreyfuss
