My story this week was prompted by an e-mail from FIN MAN fan Dan Lester, who wrote:
"I was an original owner of a '72 Javelin SST in Surfside Turquoise, 360 V8. Loved it. And it did cost me, with taxes and title, just over $4,000. So it was the highest trim level. I was after an AMX, but my then-wife wanted the higher trim level and less of a"race car." So it goes. She was also the one who never cared about how much money we spent.
I bought it new from the dealer in Mankato, Minn., where we lived at the time. Unfortunately, it was more or less a lemon. It ran fine until the motor started vibrating. Was a flywheel that was out of balance. Replaced it. Same thing happened with second flywheel. Finally gave it up and traded it in after 30K miles on (try not to choke) a Fiat 124 (yeah, frying pan into the fire). But it was basically an even-up trade, had 4 doors and we had a second kid on the way. So it was practical.
I would love to find a cherry one, but that’s not going to happen. I’m 73 and have had 3 Vettes along the way, so I’ve had my fun with a ‘93, ‘01 and ‘08. Now my (not same) wife and I have each had multiple back surgeries, so no more "little cars." We have one car, a '13 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Runs fine, decent mileage, comfortable, etc. So we keep on keeping on." — Dan
Thanks, Dan, for the story of your life on wheels! From The FIN MAN archives, here’s a look at the 1972 Javelin:
You don’t see many of these travelling 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 was the last time you saw one of these?"
At first glance, this 1972 Javelin looks strangely similar to the first-generation, 1967-69 Chevrolet Camaro. And from the side and rear 3/4 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 sensuous fender flairs 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.
AMC offered 19 choices on the 1972 pallet, including Surfside Turquoise like Dan’s example. One could also choose from Hunter Green, Jolly Green, Sparkling Burgundy, Butterscotch Gold, Canary Yellow, Stardust Silver, Trans-Am Red, Skyway Blue, Jetset Blue, Admiral Blue, Grasshopper Green, Yuca Tan, Baja Bronze, Snow White, Classic Black and Gray (???, what happened with that "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 Trans-Am Red? (surprised they could get away with that; the Chief must have been looking the other way when they chose that one!).
Javelin for 1972 came in three trim levels: base Series 70; AMX the 2-passenger "race car" that Dan referred to; and top-of-the-line SST like the one he proudly drove. 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, no doubt drooled over that 401.
FIN MAN faux pas
OMG, those dang senior moments keep getting closer and closer. Well, I can’t find any other way to explain my blunder in last week’s trivia answer alert FIN MAN fan Dave Mueller caught saying "Running Bear" was popularized by Johnny Preston, not Billy Preston. Well, I got 50 percent of it right.
And alert reader Harvey Daye, of O’Fallon, Mo., nailed me on my sedan delivery statement by saying, "I don’t think sedan deliveries were badged as El Caminos." He was entirely correct because although the two vehicles are very similar, using the same frame and sheet metal, the sedan deliveries carry the "Biscayne" script on the front fender instead of El Camino.
Hopefully, I did better this week.
Upcoming events
Be sure to take time out to visit the Easter Concours d’Elegance on the newly refurbished upper Muny parking lot in Forest Park. Put on by the Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri, this is one of the premier attractions for old car lovers each year. And, it’s a 2-for-1 bargain, as the St. Louis Street Rodders host what they like to call The Real Easter Show on the lower lot, featuring hundreds of hot rods and custom cars, trucks and bikes. Mark your calendars for March 27!
Due to a change in my schedule at my "real job," beginning in mid-to-late April, Breakfast with The Fin Man will move from Fridays to Mondays. Stay tuned right here for the next event date, time and location.
Finally, we couldn’t possibly continue our program without our devoted corporate, club and individual sponsors. To find out how you, your business or car club can sponsor TKCK-StL, e-mail me at the_fin_man@msn.com
Thanks for reading the Old Car Column and Keep on Cruisin’!
Bruce Kunz, a.k.a. "The Fin Man," is a member of the Society of Automobile Historians. If you love old cars and care about kids, help by visiting www.thefinman.com/Take_a_Kid_to_a_Car_Show.html and visit www.thefinman.com.