You don’t see many of these traveling the interstates, and it is not likely you will see one at the next Chuck-A-Burger Cruise Night either. Low production has its benefits! And vintage AMC Javelin owners enjoy exclusivity, often asking onlookers the question, “when is the last time you saw one of these.Tri-Power TriviaTM1. What model years did the AMC Javelin span? A.1967-1974; B. 1966-1972 or C. 1965-1978. 2. Five notable rock bands disbanded in the year 1972. Among them was a group whose second album, released in 1967, included the songs, White Light/White Heat; The Gift; Lady Godiva’s Operation; Here She Comes Now; I Heard Her Call My Name; Sister Ray; Guess I’m Falling In Love and Temptation Inside Your Heart. What was the name of this band? 3. On May 13th, 1972, Bonanza’s Hoss Cartwright passed away. What was his real name? Answers at end of story. _____________________________________
At first glance, this 1972 Javelin looks strangely similar to the first generation, 1967-1969, Chevrolet Camaro. And from the side and rear ¾ view, the greenhouse, rear deck and quarter panels seem to emulate Mustangs of the same period. Not only that, but the taillights look a lot like those of the 1973 Dodge Challenger. But wait. What’s with those fender flairs up fore and aft that give Javelin that desirable ‘Coke bottle shape’? Maybe AMC was trying to come up with the best of the best. Whatever they were trying to do, and whether they borrowed a styling cue or two from the competition, the result of their efforts was a very attractive package.
It has been some time since I cruised past a Mad Hatter Muffler shop on the Belt Line in nearby Collinsville, Illinois and saw a plum colored example sitting out front. It had racing decals here and there, and looked like it had spent a fair amount of time on a track or two. I’m not sure if the purple paint was original or not, but AMC did offer a purple hue for ‘72, in the spirit of other pony cars of the period. And after the designers mixed the ingredients, the marketing folks stirred up some fun names. Mad Hatter’s Jav, if original, would be Wild Plum. There was also Hunter Green (like the example shown on this page), Jolly Green, Sparkling Burgundy, Butterscotch Gold, Canary Yellow, Stardust Silver, Trans-Am Red; Skyway Blue, Jetset Blue, Admiral Blue, Surfside Turquoise, Grasshopper Green, Yuca Tan, Baja Bronze, Snow White, Classic Black and Gray… nineteen in all. (??? what happened with the ‘gray’? The clock on the corporate wall must have been on FIVE o’clock when they got to that one. And didn’t Pontiac have a little problem with the Trans-Am Red?)
Javelin for 1972 came in three trim levels, base Series 70; AMX (as shown here) and top-of-the-line SST. Power came in many forms from the base 232 cubic inch (3.8 liters), 100 horse, straight six and base 304 cubic inch (5.0 liter), 150 horse V-8, up to the ‘code 392’ Javelin ‘Go-Package’ which, besides special trim and heavy-duty practically everything, included a 401 cubic inch (6.6 liters), rated at the new, conservative, SAE ‘net’ standard, at 255 horsepower. The same engine in 1971 had a ‘brake’ horsepower rating of 335. Aunt Dorothy would have been happy with the thrifty six, but my cousins Mark, Terry and Tommy, not doubt drooled over that 401.
Tri-Power TriviaTM answers: 1. A.1967-1974. 2. The Velvet underground. 3. Dan Blocker.
READER’S COMMENT-
Hi Mr. Kunz,
Always enjoy your old car column. Glad to see a Javelin article as I owned one years ago. I had a 1971 SST with the 304. Which brings me to my one little quibble. Pretty sure the AMX was the "top of the line” model. It was a holdover from the two-seater AMX’s from 68-70 and was a “high performance” model with special trim and options. Certainly the grilles were different on the AMX.
Can’t find a Javelin article on your website yet. Guess it’s not up yet? Wanted to see if you had a picture of the car I had. It was probably the Surfside Turquoise blue although I never knew the factory paint name. It had the fake T-top vinyl roof. Anyway, thanks for the memories.
Best regards,
Steve Hanewinkel
In answer to Steve’s ‘quibble’ over the top-of-the-line model, according to the Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1946-1975, the factory base price of the AMX version was $3,109.00. The SST version had a base price of $3,807.00, making it clearly (at least in my mind) the top-of-the-line. I think that the AMX, being a racing model, with no back seat and special red, white and blue graphics, may have appeared to be and assumed by many to be the flagship model. The SST, however, was more glitzy and had a higher trim level than the little race car. At least that’s my take. If there are any AMC club members out there who would like to counter my comments, please feel free to email me at the_fin_man@msn.com.
FOLLOW UP:
Hi Bruce,
Well dollars don’t lie! I’d have never guessed the SST had a higher base price than the AMX.
As I said, I had the 304 engine and I recall the tranny was a Borg Warner 3 speed. Mine had steel wheels with full wheel covers and a black vinyl interior. I took out the AM radio and put in an AM FM cassette. Had the floor shifter automatic but the handle mechanism was clunky. And my car still had vacuum wipers in 1971! Electric was optional. Oh, and no A/C.
I owned mine in the early-mid eighties and it had a lot of miles on it. Bought it from a neighbor and it was a daily driver for 5 or 6 years. It looked good but the engine leaked oil and the suspension parts were pretty much worn out. It might still be at Joe Hill’s junk yard on Reavis Barracks Road. They had another one in there that I would get parts from.
And I never knew there were so many colors available. I had a blue (one of five shades!) and I’m still not sure which one it was.