AMC Javelin

AMC Javelin In History

In the mid-1960s, AMC was hard at work on a new compact car; while a small car was already in the works, the success of the 1964 Ford Mustang (and, to a far lesser degree, the Plymouth Barracuda) made sport-compacts seem like a major segment.

Thus, in 1966, AMC sent the sporty two-seater AMX concept car out to test reactions to the forthcoming Javelin. Spectators loved the car and AMC’s chairman, Robert Evans, pushed to have a production version of the AMX concept built alongside the Javelin. His argument may have been bolstered by the new AMC V8 engine, launched in 1967, which reached 280 horsepower in its largest, 343 cubic inch version; that engine would give the AMX needed credibility.

Released in 1967 to crucial recognition, the 1968 AMC Javelin discussed the Mustang's fundamental lengthy-cover and brief back outdoor patio. It prevented the Ford's Inchstyle mess,Inch with neat and sleek linen steel. Within, the Javelin had a recessed, functional gauge cluster, with front bucket seats. The dashboard was (in an industry first) injection molded in a single piece, for safety; that was one of the reasons the AMX was named the Best Engineered Car of the Year in both 1969 and 1970 by the American Society of Automotive Engineers.

Available from launch, the “Go” package included power front disc brakes, wider tires, a performance suspension with a front anti-sway bar, and three V-8 engine choices, all from the same engine family. The biggest 1968 engine, the 343 (soon to be eclipsed by the 390) enabled drivers to do 0-60 in under eight seconds, quick for the day, without atrocious gas mileage. The front suspensions used coil springs and unequal-length wishbones, while the rear had the inevitable semi-elliptic leaf springs and solid axle. The standard transmission was a Borg-Warner four speed manual.

6 months later on, both-chair 1968 AMC AMX was launched. It had been dependent carefully about the Javelin, but close to a feet smaller, fender to fender. 12,390 Javelins had been bought from diary-12 months 1967 Percentu2014 a lot more than dual the amount of Marlins bought from diary-12 months 1966.
The Javelin was an immediate achievement about the SCCA Trans-Am signal, finishing every race it entered (unlike any other factory team of the time); powered by the 232 six or the new 290 and 343 V8s, it was a formidable car on the street and strip. Stylistically, the Javelin’s main unique features were the “no-trunk” look rear, and the AMC flush-mount paddle door handle, which was used on all AMCs but the Rambler American. Javelin was a hit in sales, too, with 56,444 produced in 1968 (just a blip for GM, but a good seller for AMC), along with 6,725 AMXs.

Craig Breedlove, legendary racer, piloted the 2-seat Javelin derivative AMX to 100 land speed records before it was even introduced for sale. It was sold with optional leather seats, 140 mph speedometer, “tic-tac” gauge package, and “go pak,” which included either a four barrel 290 or the new 390 (315 hp at 4,600 rpm and a Hemi-level 425 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm).
n 1969, Javelin SST and AMX might be bought with attention-getting InchLarge PoorInch colours: BBOrange, BBGreen, and BBBlue. Additionally, AMC, like Chrysler, caused Hurst to build up new versions, in this instance the dragstrip horror SS/AMX and the ram-air 390-powered Hurst SC/RamblerFor 1969, AMC sold 33,990 Javelins and 5,784 AMXs in the US, versus 42,215 and 7,333 in 1968. Production was 43,099 for Javelin, 8,317 for AMX; sales of the two went from being “midpack” at AMC to low, with Rambler American hitting nearly a hundred thousand units, Rebel coming in with over 50,000, and even the big Ambassador clearing 75,000.

In 1970, Mark Donohue and the Sunoco Racing Team dumped their Camaros to race Javelins. AMXs and Javelins (along with Rambler Americans) had the dealer "Group 19" heavy-duty performance option. The V-8 heads were refined, boosting the 390 to 340 hp and 430ft/lb torque.

In 1970, AMC produced 31,090 Javelins and 2,110 AMXs, despite the opportunity provided by a two-month-long GM strike.

The Javelin In Sumury

1968: Javelin

Arrived at last! The beautifully styled, legendary Javelin sports car rumbled onto showroom floors. It was originally available with the 232, 290, or 343. It entered SCCA Trans-Am competitors and handle each and every competition it joined, an archive that no other manufacturing plant groups could accomplish. Craig Breedlove, renowned racing, piloted the two-chair Javelin offshoot AMX to 100 land speed records before it was even introduced for sale. When the AMX finally was available, it shook the sports car world to its knees. The AMX was available with leather seats, 140 mph speedo, A/C or "tic-tac" gauge package, hi-po "go pak," 4 bbl 290 or the new 315 hp 390 V-8.

This was the last year any convertibles had been offered by American Engines. United states was the only real design that also used the Rambler nameplate. All AMCs except American adopted their trademark flush-mounted paddle door handles.http://www.allpar.com/photos/AMC/AMX-cutaway.jpg

1969 Javelin

Ambassador grew again, now with a 122-inch wheelbase. It had graceful, swoopy lines and a distinctive "guppy mouth" grille. Most models were now available with any engine including 232, 290, 343, and 390. Javelin SST and AMX now came in optional eye-catching Big Bad colors: BBOrange, BBGreen, and BBBlue.

Hurst was now coordinating with AMC, helping to create the dragstrip terror SS/AMX and the ram-air 390-powered Hurst SC/Rambler. The American "Scrambler" or "Super Car/Rambler" wore two different red/white/blue paint schemes, had r/w/b headrests, a Sun tach strapped to the steering column, and the T10 4-speed with Hurst linkage, and rear torque links from the AMX. The cover and mail box-kind atmosphere details had been colored InchAtmosphere , 390,Inch by having an arrow in to the air-duct. Your best option was an AM stereo. Only 1512 had been constructed, most used to massacre your competition about the remove. Two had been designed with 4WD and went within the Baja 500. 1 required to begin with in the course. By 1970, Tag Donohue and also the Sunoco Racing Team dumped their Camaros to race Javelins instead. AMXs, Javelins and Americans had the dealer "Group 19" heavy-duty performance option. The V-8s heads were refined to make it good for 340 hp and 430ft/lb torque.
1970 Javelin

AMX and Javelin received a mild styling update, and added an optional "Power Blister" ram air hood that boosted the 390s horsepower to 345. A special "Mark Donohue Edition" Javelin had all the performance options plus a spoiler designed by Donohue himself.

1971  Javelin

Javelin was re-engineered and was longer, on a longer wheelbase, and wider; numerous cosmetic changes were made, and the AMX was dropped, with the name switching to the top trim line of the Javelin. For more details see Chrysler - AMC 1971, which has diagrams, details, and specifications.

1972 Javelin
American Motors introduced a Javelin sport coupe with a Parisian flavor by Pierre Cardin.

1973 Javelin

A Javelin option was the "Trans-Am Victory" package to celebrate their back-to-back SCCA championships, after only five years of racing. Javelin also received new pod taillights.

AMC Javelin Specification