The AMC Javelin was produced from 1968 through 1974 intended as a 'pony'
car
for the American Motors Corporation. To fit into a wide variety of
budgets, AMC offered the Javelin with a variety of engines that
included the 232 six-cylinder variant all the way up to the might
eight-cylinder power-plants. The 343 cubic-inch four-barrel V8 was a
serious performance machine offering, with 280 horsepower and 365
foot-pounds of torque. Optional disc brakes and wide tires helped the
driver keep the vehicle in control.
AMC had introduced the Marlin in 1965, right after the introduction of the
Ford Mustang.
The Mustang easily outsold the Marlin partly due to the Marlins large
112-inch wheelbase. There was seating for six with plenty of trunk
space. The thing it lacked was the sporty image that the Mustang had
capitalized upon.
AMC's chief designer Richard A. Teague quickly revised the design resulting in the AMX
concept cars
of the late 1960's. Pressured by upper management and those with
financial interests in AMC, the Javelin production car was sent to
market. It borrowed heavily from the AMX concept's design and was
considered by many to be sporty and attractive. Its design was
uncluttered and smooth with its split front grille and semi-fastback
roofline. The interior featured front bucket seats and rear bench.
The six-cylinder engine offered 145
horsepower
and adequate fuel economy. The 'Go' package, opted by many buyers,
featured front disc brakes, tuned suspension with anti-sway bar,
upgraded tires, and a choice of three potent V8 engines.
In
1969 a 390 cubic-inch engine became available. Its impressive 315
horsepower and 425 foot-pounds of torque could send the Javelin from
zero-to-sixty in the seven-second range.
The standard
suspension was comprised of coil springs and unequal-length wishbones
in the front and semi-elliptic leaf springs and sold axle in the rear.
The optional fast-ratio steering and handling package greatly improved
the handling during aggressive driving.
In 1971 the
Javelin was restyled and now included a roof spoiler, fender bulges,
and arched fenders. The interior was given a stripe pattern.
During
its introductory year, 55000 examples were produced. The AMC Company
was not known as a company that could produce a performance machine.
The Javelin, along with the help of Mark Donohue and Roger Penske, set
a new reputation for the AMC Company on the Trans Am racing circuit. In
nine races the duo scored seven wins and captured the Trans Am Series
Championship. The Javelin repeated its success in the following two
years.
The demise of the muscle-car era was mostly caused by an increase in government and
safety regulations and fuel concerns. Javelin's sales creped along during the early 1970's but by 1974 production ceased.
