One Family Owned: 1973 AMC Javelin AMX “Pierre Cardin”
It is not unusual for car manufacturers to link with premium brands outside the automotive industry to produce special edition vehicles. AMC wasn’t immune from the practice, although it tested either end of the fashion spectrum in 1973. Few will forget the Levis Trim Package on the Gremlin, but the Javelin strode upmarket with the Pierre Cardin Edition. This 1973 Javelin AMX is one of those cars, and it has been part of the same family since the day it drove off the lot. Its presentation is impressive for its age, and this gem would suit an enthusiast seeking a turnkey classic to park in their garage. After five decades, the time has arrived for it to find a new home. Therefore, the seller has listed it here on eBay in Anoka, Minnesota. Bidding has raced beyond the reserve to $17,000, but time is running out for those wishing to stake a claim on this spotless survivor.
AMC introduced the Javelin to its product range in late 1967 for the 1968 model year. The Second Generation model hit the showroom in 1971, following the prevailing industry practice where dimensions grew compared to its predecessor. This Javelin is the AMX version, purchased new by its current owners in 1973. It presents beautifully in Trans-Am Red with a contrasting Black vinyl top. The panels and paint are difficult to fault, with no visible significant flaws and tight and consistent gaps. There are a few minor marks and chips, but this is acceptable in an unrestored vehicle of this age. The vinyl is in as-new condition, and the overall impression is that this Javelin has been a cherished family member for fifty years. There are no signs of exterior rust, with the seller claiming the underside is equally spotless. The glass and trim are immaculate, as are the factory wheels.
We must delve inside this Javelin to understand what separates it from mere mortals. The Pierre Cardin Edition brought unique interior trim that can divide opinions. The multicolor trim stripes aren’t subtle but are distinctive and in character with the era in which this car rolled off the line. We’ve seen a few of these over more than a decade at Barn Finds, with most looking tired and worn. This is the exception to that rule because there are no signs of upholstery or trim problems. The seatcovers are free from wear and stains, with the same true of the door trims, headliner, and carpet. The dash and machine-turned gauge fascia are as spotless as you could hope to find, and nothing shows signs of UV damage. The seller mounted an aftermarket radio/cassette player under the dash on that passenger side, which could be removed if the new owner prefers a more “stock” appearance. The factory AM radio works perfectly, and the air conditioning blows ice-cold.
Powering this Javelin is the “baby” V8 from within its arsenal. The 304ci powerplant sends 150hp and 245 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a three-speed automatic transmission. The original owner lightened the load by selecting power assistance for the steering and brakes. Tighter emission regulations negatively impacted vehicle performance during the 1970s, and the Javelin was not immune from that trend. However, its performance figures matched or bettered those offered by its direct rivals like the Mustang and Camaro. The listing indicates this Javelin has 46,800 miles on the clock, and while the seller doesn’t mention supporting evidence, the ownership history may make the claim verifiable. It runs and drives perfectly, with plenty of power and a transmission that shifts smoothly. The winning bidder could fly in and proudly drive home behind the wheel of this survivor.
The 1973 Javelin AMX has been one of the recent stars of the classic world, with values climbing significantly as potential buyers realize they tend to represent good value for money. The Pierre Cardin Package on this car increases its desirability, and the ownership history cements its place as an exceptional survivor. It has attracted an impressive thirty-one bids already, and I will be unsurprised if further action pushes the price comfortably past $20,000. Would you be interested in this gem at that price? I would hardly blame you if you were.
Auctions Ending Soon
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now2 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now3 days$3,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now3 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now4 days$10,500
1974 Datsun 260ZBid Now6 days$200
Comments
I’ve always thought that the fender bulges made this the most “muscular” looking of the muscle cars! (IMO) SHame to deface this beauty with the vinyl toupee, though! Ebay listing has been closed…so maybe someone got a real beauty!! :-)
Sold for $17,000.00?
No it sold for over 24 grand
Howard.. did you ever own any Pièrre Càrdin pieces 🤔 👔 👖
Oooh la la, um, no, unless Renault made a Pierre Cardin 4CV. I never understood who the car makers were trying to impress with goofy European names. Marketing 101, I suppose, and what a French dress designer had to do with a Javelin, few knew or cared about.
No it sold for over 24 grand
Thanks Adam, excellent write up again. These look better from the front I think, very nice condition, has similarities to the Mustang of that same era. I’d be interested, don’t think I’ve ever seen one down here in Australia
Hi Dave, t’was no coincidence and clearly had Mustang overtones. The restyled Javelin made plenty of Mustangs nervous, and road racing was big, and AMC, I think, was one of the last to factory sponsor a team at the time, and had great success. Mark Donohue/Penske showed, with a little help, it could be done.
There was never an AMC vehicle, in the history of the company, that made a Ford driver nervous.
I’ve never seen or heard of a AMX with a 304 , they all had 360 or 401.
Late 60’s AMX came standard with a 290. Most buyers upgraded but not all. Great looking AMX.
304 or 360 in 1971. Only the few cop cars that were delivered out west had the 401.
A Javelin AMX with a 304? Was that even possible? A Javelin with a 304, yes those were made. A Javelin AMX with a 304. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think they offered a 304 in the Javelin AMX. Something seems amiss to me.
Years ago I knew a guy with a Rebel Machine with a 304, however that was because he grenaded the 390. The ones &e could find, he couldn’t afford, so he installed a 304 instead.
Nice looking Javelin though. It could well be worth the price they are asking.
Apparently, I read, in ’73, there were 5 engine choices. The 232/6, 258/6, 304, 360, and 401. The “Cardin” package added $89 to the base Javelin, and can’t find a breakdown on engines for that model. I’m sure there were 6 cylinder ones. The 360 was the biggest seller for Javelin in ’73.
Should have spent the money on a 360 instead of appearance package. The only AMC worth buying
Beginning in 1972, the 304 was standard in Javelin AMX
I had a 71 with 304, 3 sp on the floor. Most fun car I ever owned intil bought a new 76 Triumph Spitfire. The 304 had plenty of power for its size and you could wring it out pretty tight. All was well until I went to sleep at the wheel, hit a culvert hole and warped the body. Ironically I read about two months later that Javelin was the number ONE car wrecked by young males in the country. Sadly I couldn’t claim I was running it wide open when it happened…doing about 35. Loved that car.
Auction ended. No one bid?
I had a used 1973 AMC Javelin, Mark Donohue edition, Canary Yellow with black decal striping. The engine was either a 340 or 360 but the original owner, a young woman’s high school graduation gift, took the car to her local Napa store in York, PA where they blueprinted the engine to 401. Had headers put on it. It was in mint condition. Asking price was $4,000, I bought it for $2,000 in order to sell it 6 weeks later for $3,900. Fastest car I owned, and the loudest. I never understood why it never had a manual choke on the dash. Instead, everytime I started it cold, I had to open the hood to close the choke by hand. When it started it sounded like a canon. A great car. So much better than the 1978 AMC Concord I had, and the 1982 AMC S/X Eagle coupe that was a great car on snow.
Impossible to have a 1973 Mark Donohue. Only made it in 1970. 2501 were made. I still have the one I bought in 1974
My father and some of his brothers and sisters were in business together in Atlanta and some of them and my dad, would buy new, early to mid 60s AMCs from a dealership in the mountains of Blue Ridge Georgia to drive in their business during the 60s and 70s. This is when I first became familiar with AMC products and thought the cars were pretty cool. And believe it or not, were pretty reliable cars for the time!
I then, out of high school, worked for AMC back in the early to mid 70s in a dealership parts dept in the north side of Atlanta called Piedmont Cars and became very familiar with all the AMC muscle car models at the time and always drooled over them when they were delivered to the dealership, especially the AMXs and Javelins.
I then later in the early 80s bought a yellow, tan interior 1974 AMX with the 360 4 barrel motor auto trans. I had a lot of fun with that car, it was very fast for the time, and I had to frequently drive my first son, about a year old, around in it as he would always have a hard time falling asleep at night until he rode in his car seat in the car, lol. Evidently he inherited the love of muscle cars from me too. The AMX will always be remembered as one of my favorite muscle cars of all time, because of that and many other reasons.
I also owned some 70s Hornets and Matador sedans and station wagons that were very reliable and fun too!
Always wish i could have kept every one I ever owned!
Ah, those were the days!
The “Herb Tarlek” edition …. the exterior is pretty cool though. Going the Pierre Cardin route is just another head scratcher from the foggy minds of AMC design engineers.
COULD be a great car however that vinyl top has to GO the 304 can be modded w/AMC spec TRANS-AM race cams & pistons + head porting,headers and factory mesh side pipes
As a collector it will never be worth much.
It’s a decent resto mod project
God it’s that ugly. They got it right the first few years. Then those stupid front fender bumper and that long vinyl top ruined it.
wow, just wow! that interior is so trendy 70’s correct. I can almost guarantee this cars first owner just bought the first waterbed (newest upcoming trend) among his/her peers! Gawd I miss interior colors