1970 AMC Javelin SST

Description

Nobody has been able to explain why the very rare and unique AMC Javelin has not kept pace with its Big Three counterparts. This cool SST version of the off-brand pony car offers a lot of originality for the guy who dares to be different.

A little late to the pony car game, AMC finally jumped in with the Javelin, which offered their unique take on the long nose/short deck look with 2+2 seating. We're guessing that it's been refinished at some point simply because it looks great. No, it's not perfect, but with a deep cleaning and a fresh coat of wax, we bet you'll get more than your share of complements on this out-of-the-ordinary car. The color is pure 1970s funky and with a vinyl half roof and unique stripes that hug the Javelin's curves, it won't be mistaken for anything else. I've always found the Javelin's front end to be particularly attractive, aggressive without resorting to scoops and spoilers, and this one includes nice chrome, cool hood inserts, and the full-width taillight out back, all details that make these cars stand out.

The funky interior is most likely original and has a very 1970s look that will appeal to some guys who love that period. Bucket seats with striped cloth are in good shape with only two small tears on the driver's seat back suggesting that they're nearly 45 years old. The olive green carpets are surprisingly nice and with a center armrest, it's easy to get comfortable behind the wheel of this Javelin. The two-spoke steering wheel recalls performance cars of the past and the car uses a racy-looking instrument panel with its gauges deeply recessed in round pods to cover speed and fuel level. That's a 3-speed manual shifter sticking out of the transmission tunnel, so this Javelin is fun to drive no matter what you're doing and the AM/FM radio works, so you're not stuck with some AM buzz. The back seat is shockingly nice and doesn't look to have aged a bit and the trunk is outfitted with a correct mat and full-sized spare tire.

The 232 cubic inch inline-six isn't going to win many drag races, but the cool thing here is rarity: when was the last time you saw one? It's actually a pretty robust engine that makes good torque and does it with a smoothness that only an inline motor can generate. Coupled to the 3-speed manual gearbox, performance is more than adequate and it turns out that it's a lot of fun to drive. It wears corporate metallic turquoise paint, original air cleaner and carburetor, and exhales through a single exhaust pipe that has a pleasing six-cylinder growl. The engine bay shows signs of conscientious maintenance, while the chassis looks largely original save for routine replacement pieces. Steel wheels wear factory hubcaps and recent 205/75/14 Hankook whitewall radials at all four corners.

A great way to break into the hobby in a car that isn't a garden-variety Nova or Maverick, and the opportunity to take it up a notch to really impress the crowds. Call now!