Parked For 32 Years: 1974 AMC Javelin AMX
I have long admired AMC. The little battler of the American automotive scene never had access to the financial resources available to the competition. Its engineers and designers repeatedly produced new models on a meager budget, with the figure often little more than its competitors spent on annual styling upgrades. It deserved greater success, and I have always wondered what it could have achieved with more money at its disposal. This 1974 AMC Javelin AMX recently emerged after thirty-two years in storage. It requires a total restoration but is a complete classic showing promise for the right person. It needs a new home, with the seller listing it here on Craigslist in Arlington, Massachusetts. With a price of $3,950, it is one of the most affordable project cars from this era you will find in the current market. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder TommyT-Tops for spotting this promising project.
AMC released its Second Generation Javelin in 1971, with this car rolling off the line during the final production year. Its original owner ordered it is Trans-Am Red, which was one of the premium shades of that year. It would have turned heads when new, but it needs love to achieve that feat again. Time has taken its toll, with rust in the front floors, lower rear quarter panels, and the trunk drop-offs. There is surface corrosion around the back window and along some seams, meaning the buyer must address those issues before they can make the unwelcome leap into steel penetration. The remaining lower extremities look pretty clean, with any problems being small enough to tackle with patches. The glass looks good, but some trim pieces require a trip to the platers to regain their original luster.
The Javelin’s interior is basically complete, but its condition is consistent with the rest of the car. It requires a total retrim, and while I couldn’t locate a supplier selling complete kits, every required part is available. I pieced together a shopping list of the major items like seatcovers, a complete upholstery set, and carpet. The total topped $2,000, and there will undoubtedly be small items like the shifter handle requiring replacement. Therefore, $2,500 would seem realistic, although that figure could climb slightly higher following an in-person assessment. There are no aftermarket additions, with the Javelin retaining its sports gauge cluster, AM/FM radio, and console. I’m unsure whether it features air conditioning or other optional extras, but the seller could clarify that question.
The seller supplies no engine photos, but we know a 304ci V8 occupies the spot under the hood. It would have sent 150hp to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. This was the least potent combination in the Javelin AMX range, allowing the car to cover the ¼-mile in 17.5 seconds. By comparison, an auto-equipped entry-level Camaro Z28 took 15.9 seconds, and a Pontiac Trans Am completed the journey in 16.1 seconds. If the original owner had splashed the extra cash on the optional 360, its 220hp would have changed the story significantly as it galloped through the ¼-mile in 15.6 seconds. However, they didn’t, meaning the new owner has the 304 to work with if a faithful restoration is their goal. The car doesn’t run and probably hasn’t since it entered storage. The seller did not attempt to coax it back to life, and many will find that reassuring. I’ve lost count of how many sellers have damaged an engine by incorrectly performing the process. That task falls to the buyer, meaning they can do things their way.
The AMC Javelin enjoys a solid following among dedicated enthusiasts, and renewed interest in these classics has seen values climb faster than the market average. The reality is that they are unlikely to threaten the value of a Camaro Z28 or a Pontiac Trans Am, but the gap is closing significantly. This one requires work, but it could be worth the effort for someone willing and able to be hands-on in the process. Do you possess those attributes? Are you ready to utilize them to give this Javelin a second shot at life?
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Comments
Posted 19 days ago.
No A/C. There would be vents to the left of the instruments and under the radio.
This looks like a rusty surprise. Just waiting for your wallet.
I don’t know about this one. I like the Javelin AMX, I think the price is a little steep, especially with the quarters and floors shot and the engine a big ? But not too unrealistic if you have deep pockets.
I believe all AMX’s were 2 seaters
First AMX’s were shortened Javelins with 2 seats. Then with the 2nd gen Javelin, AMX was an upgraded 4 seat Javelin. After Javelin was discontinued, I believe there was an AMX version of the Hornet in addition to the Hornet-360, and later an AMX version of the AMC Spirit. Also between 1968-1970 AMC designed along with Italian sports car designers the mid-engine AMX-3 with the AMC 390 V8 mid-engine. Around 6 or 7 pre-production cars were built and the car was 1 signature away from production and the program was cancelled. Those few exotic AMX-3’s have sold for hefty 6 digit prices.
The 1968-1970 AMX was not a “shortened Javelin”.
Only 68 to 70 were 2 Seaters
Only 68, 69, 70 were 2 seaters
I worked for American Motors dealer in that era. All Javelins AMX or otherwise had front and back seating. All AMX ‘s were two seat sport cars.
This is a 73. You can tell by the taillights..
71 had long rectangular lights. I had 71 Javelin SST w/304 V8 and a 73 AMX w/360 auto and cowel induction.
73-74 had the same taillights, and this is a 74. 71 and 72 had the long taillights, but 72 had a grid overlay.
“The lower extremities look pretty clean, with any problems being small enough to tackle.”
Huh? What car were they looking at?
The 71 & 72 Javelins and Javelin AMX’s roof panels had stamped indentations over the front seats as if they could have had T Tops. The SST had vinyl roof panels. The 73 & 74 roof panels did not have the stamped indentations. I bought a new 1972 Javelin AMX with the 360 auto in 72. I now have a 1970 AMX with a 360 auto. My dad worked for AMC in Detroit and was lead stylist on the AMX 3. My dad would take my brother and I to the design studios and we got to see everything they were doing. We got to see the clay models of the AMX 2 & 3. You would not know you were looking at a clay model if you didn’t see the bucks under them. They looked like you could climb in start em up and drive away.
This is a base 74 AMX likely a 304 auto. The color is not Trans AM red it is Sienna Orange. Price not too bad but you would dump at least 25k in that car for it to be worth 20k. Restoring AMCs is near impossible these days with virtually no aftermarket support. Been doing it for 40 years and just finished the last one.