AMC was in the midst of its Trans Am racing years when the second generation of the Javelin coupe came along in 1971, with styling deeply influenced by the race series.
Designed by AMC’s innovative Dick Teague, the Javelin continued his reign of creating a car unlike anything else on the road – think Gremlin, Pacer and AMX. While some found the body design over the top, many loved its uniquely flowing shape accented by boldly uplifted fender bulges that helped it stand out from the pony-car crowd.
The Pick of the Day is from Javelin’s final year, a 1974 AMC Javelin coupe that has been fully restored to its original high-performance specifications, according to the Elgin, Oregon, private seller advertising the car on ClassicCars.com.
“The Javelin was bought in 1995 with 87,000 miles on it; I am the 3rd owner,” the seller says in the ad. “Car is considered stock, clear title, NO Bondo or rust.”
The Javelin came from the factory as a performance version, the seller says, and is loaded with such features as the 360/220-horsepower V8, 3-speed automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, air conditioning, Tic Toc Tach (a combo clock and tachometer), AM/FM radio and Rally wheels.
While the engine does suffer from the horsepower malaise of the era, it is an excellent and long-lasting V8, the seller notes.
“360-cu.in. engines used cast crankshafts, connecting rods and aluminum pistons,” the ad says. “Parts availability and interchangeability is very good with other AMC and Jeep vehicles. The high nickel-content metal used in all period AMC V8 blocks makes them very robust and able to withstand high mileage without difficulty.”
The coupe is equipped with the desirable Go Pack of performance components, which include front disc brakes, dual exhaust and heavy-duty suspension. The car was repainted a few years back in Deep Metallic Blue with replacement carpet and floor mats, new upholstery and tinted windows.
“Repainted original AMC stock color in 1995, did not replace body stripe, but retained the chrome trim which had outlined the vinyl roof (which was removed),” the seller says.
Looking very nicely refinished in the photos with the ad, the Javelin seems like a bargain at $22,000.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
I’m surprised someone would order a Javelin in 1974 with the "go Pack" option on the 360. AMC still offered the 390 and 401 as options that year
Oh- original owner probably picked the 360 due to the heinous insurance surcharge that got slapped on anything considered "hi-po" or big block. Got my license in ’74; my 327 Impala SS was dirt cheap. My next year’s ’69 Charger? Second job time, as my folks did not subsidize my insurance. 390/401 Javelin would definitely get the insurance man’s palms sweaty.
The only V8s available in the 70’s were the 304, 360 and 401. No 390 was available.
1970 model year had the 390 cid , the 401 cid came out in 1971 .
Only the 401, as it replaced the 390 in 1971
This car just cries for the earlier rubberless bumpers an a 401/4spd, which would all fit w/o extensive mods- mostly just bolt on and go; a good factory 3-pedal set would probably be the most difficult thing to run down, the rest easy-peasy.
Really good choice eliminating the vinyl top, never understood the appeal of those rust generators. Of course, I don’t get whitewalls on anything made after 1960, either. To each their own I guess.
From 1970, the 390 was bored to become a displacement of 400.6 and thus the 401 was created.
The 343 cid was replaced in the 1970 model year ,with the 360 cid by increasing the bore size .
Beautiful looking vehicle about a 16,000 thosand dollar car.I own a 1968 and 1972 javelin they just don’t bring the money the big three do!
Still available?