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1972 AMC Javelin

In 1972, AMC worked with French fashion designer Pierre Cardin to create the Cardin-Javelin option of which 4,142 examples were built. Inside, the Card-Javelin models featured multi-colored pleated stripes in Chinese red, plum, white, and silver on a black background. Buyers could select from five exterior colors including snow white, stardust silver, diamond blue, wild plum, and Trans-Am red.

The Javelin received few changes for 1972. They were available as an SST Fastback Coupe or an AMX Fastback Coupe. Pricing began at $2,875 for the SST and $3,150 for the AMX. A total of 22,964 examples of the SST were produced and just 3,220 of the AMX. AMX models had a different radiator grille design, a sport steering wheel, a deck-mounted spoiler, a 304 CID V8, and slot-style wheels with E70-14 Blackwall tires.

George Follmer continued to champion the popularity of the model by winning a second SCCA Trans-Am title for AMC.

The Javelin
AMC built the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Javelin from 1967 through 1974. The first generation was built through 1970 and the second generation from 1971 to 1974.
The combined production of the first generation was 118,015 units including 55,125 sold in 1968, 40,675 the following year, and 22,215 in 1970.

The two-door hardtop Javelin was styled by **** Teague and rested on a 109-inch wheelbase with a length of 189.2 inches and a width of 71.9 inches. The front 'twin-venturi' appearance had a recessed honeycomb grille with outboard-mounted round headlamps with square chrome surrounds. The turn signals were set into the bumper, below the headlights. On the hood were twin simulated air scoops and the windshield was raked at a 59-degree angle, complementing the fastback rear end. The sole body style was a two-door hardtop with trim levels that included the base and more premium SST models.

The base engine was a 232 cubic-inch inline-6 offering 145 horsepower with a one-barrel carburetor while the two-barrel version boosted output to 155 bhp. The 258 CID inline-6 delivered 170 bhp with its one-barrel carburetor. The 290 CID two-barrel V8 delivered 225 hp and the 343 CID V8 offered 235 bhp with a dual carburetor and 280 bhp with a four-barrel carb. The top-of-the-line engine was the 390 CID V8 with 315 bhp and 425 lb-ft of torque. The AMX 390 CID engine was offered as a 'Go-package' option backed by a floor-mounted automatic or manual four-speed transmission. This package, which gave the Javelin a zero-to-sixty mph time o in the seven-second range, became available in mid-1968.

Transmission options included a three or four-speed manual, a three-speed automatic, and a three-speed 'Shift-Command' on the console.

The 10.2 cubic feet of trunk capacity offered more luggage space than most of the competition, and the leg and headroom were much more accommodating than most. There were three-point seat belts and headrests for the front seats. Innovative safety features included flush-mounted paddle-style door handles and interior windshield posts with fiberglass safety padding. There were thin-shell bucket seats and a fully carpeted interior, while the SST trim level added reclining front seatbacks, a sports-style steering wheel, and simulated wood-grained door panel trim.

The factory-approved 'Group 19' dealer-installed performance accessories added various upgrades including dual four-barrel cross-ram intake manifolds, needle-bearing roller rocker arms, dual-point ignition, and high-performance camshaft kits.

1969 AMC Javelin
The 1969 Javelin was given a bull's eye emblem in the altered grille and revised side striping. Interior upgrades included an 8,000 RPM tachometer that had a design that mimicked the speedometer, upgraded carpeting, and new door panels. The Go-Package option came with either the four-barrel 343 or 390 engines and included disc brakes, red-line performance E70x14 tires on 'Magnum 500's tyled wheels, 'Twin-Grip' (limited slip) differential and a heavy-duty suspension with larger sway-bars. The five-spoke Magnum 500 wheels of the Go-Package were optional on other Javelins and came with a stainless steel trim ring.

1970 AMC Javelin
The side marker lights of several other AMC models were now added to the Javelin and its front grille's 'twin-venturi' grew wider and now incorporated the headlamps. The hood was longer, there were full-width taillamps and a single center-mounted backup light. The front suspension received upper and lower control airs, ball joints, coil springs, and shock absorbers above the upper control arms.

Engine options included inline-6s (232 CID and 252 CID) and V8s (304, 360, and 390 CID). The base V8 was the 304 CID with 225 horsepower and the 360 CID unit replaced the previous 290 and the 343 CID versions. The top-of-the-line V8, the 390 CID, gained new cylinder heads with 51cc combustion chambers and a single four-barrel Autolite 4300 carburetor, boosting power to 325 bhp at 5,000 RPM and torque to 425 lb-ft at 3,200 RPM. The 'Go Package' option now included a 'power blister' hood with two large openings as part of a function cold ram-air induction system. The 'Go Package' was available with the 360 and 390 four-barrel V8 engines and added front disc brakes, a heavy-duty suspension with an anti-sway bar, 3.54 rear axle ratio, wide Goodyear white-lettered performance tires, a dual exhaust system, and improved cooling.

The exterior and interior styles were a one-year-only design. All trim levels had a broad dashboard while the SST models had a wood-grained one. The door panel trim was once again revised, there was a new center console, and the bucket seats had an integral headrest. Upholstery options included vinyl, corduroy, or optional leather.

The Second Generation (August 1970 to 1974)
When AMC restyled the Javelin for the 1970 model year, it grew wider, longer, and lower than ever before, with the wheelbase increasing by an inch and its length now measuring 191.8 inches. The athletic body had sculpted fender bulges, an integrated roof spoiler, new full-width taillamps, a rear-facing cowl induction hood, and a flush wire mesh grille with integrated, round headlamps.

The interior housed high-backed bucket seats and a curved cockpit with functional instrument gauges. A range of six and eight-cylinder engines continued to lurk beneath the bonnet, with the inline-6 ranging from 232 to 282 CID with outputs of 100 to 200 horsepower. The list of V8s included the 304 CID two-barrel with 210 hp, 360 CID two-barrel with 245 hp, 360 CID four-barrel with 285 hp, and the range-topping 401 CID V8 with a four-barrel carb and 9.5:1 compression delivering 330 horsepower. Transmission options included a 3- and 4-speed manual, a three-speed automatic, and a 3-speed 'Torque-Command' on the console. The BorgWarner T-10 four-speed manual transmission came with a Hurst floor shifter.

The indicated engine power outputs changed from 1971 to 1972, however, actual power output remained the same, as the U.S. automobile industry switched from 'gross' outputs in 1971 and prior years to 'net' outputs in 1972 and later years.

The Go Package came with a 360 or 410 four-barrel engine, 'Rally-Pac' instrumentation, 'Twin-Grip' limited-slip differential, power-assisted disc brakes, heavy-duty cooling, upgraded handling suspension, and white-letter E60x15 Goodyear Polyglass tires on 15x7-inch styled slotted steel wheels. In the back was a blacked-out rear taillight panel and the hood had a T-stripe decal.

1972 AMC Javelin
AMC offered the 1972 AMC Javelin with a choice of 15 exterior colors with optional side stripes. Styling changes were made to the front grille including a new 'egg crate' design with a similar pattern used in the rear for the full-width taillights. Engine power ratings were reduced to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) net hp figures and the automatic transmission was now the TorqueFlite units sourced from Chrysler, called 'Torque-Command' by AMC.

A new warranty system called the 'Buyer Protection Plan' gave buyers the courage and confidence in AMC's product, helping American Motors achieve record sales in 1972. Never before had an automaker promised to repair issues with the car (albeit, not the tires) and AMC stood behind its product by offering its warranty for one year or 12,000 miles. If the buyer experienced an issue, they could call a toll-free telephone number to AMC, and if repairs took longer than a day, they would be given a free loaner car.

The 1972 Javelin SST Fastback Coupe with the base inline-6 engine had a base price of $2,800 and the base V8 added approximately $100. A total of 22,964 examples of the Javelin SST were built in 1972 and 3,220 of the Javelin AMX. The Javelin AMX had a different, flush-mounted radiator grille design, Sports steering wheel, deck-mounted spoiler, a standard 304 CID V8, and slot-style wheels wrapped with E70-14 Blackwall tires. The list of standard equipment on the Javelin SST included dual horns, high back bucket seats with front foam cushions, a Custom steering wheel, a lockable glovebox, and a three-speed, fully-synchromesh transmission with floor shift controls.

The Pierre Cardin option was an interior option designed by fashion designer Pierre Cardin and had an MSRP of $84.95. The official sale date was March 1st, 1972, and would continue through the 1973 model year, with a total of 4,152 Javelins outfitted with this feature. The interior featured multi-colored pleated stripes in Chinese red, plum, white and silver on a black canvas. The fabric for the seat faces was produced by Chatham Mills. The all-encompassing multi-colored stripes ran from the front seats, up the doors, onto the headliner, and down the rear seats.

1973 AMC Javelin
The popularity of the warranty program inspired AMC to enhance its appeal, adding even more coverage that now included food and lodging expenses of up to $150 if a vehicle required overnight repairs when the owner was over 100 miles away from home. AMC proudly promoted their warranty by stating, 'we back them better because we build them better.' Sales of the Javelin totaled 30,902 units including 5,707 AMX units.

American Motors had captured the Trans Am SCCA Championship with their Javelin during the 1971 and 1972 seasons. In celebration, they offered a 'Trans AM Victory' limited edition for 1973. These special vehicles were built from October to December 15th, 1972, on any Javelin SST, except those fitted with the Cardin interior.

The Javelin Trans Am Victory edition came with large 'Javelin Winner Trans Am Championship 1971–1972 SCCA' fender decals on the lower portion behind the front wheel openings and rode on 8-slot rally-style wheels with E70X14 Polyglass raised white letter tires. Standard option groups included the protection group, insulation group, light group, and visibility group. They had a sports-style steering wheel and many were pre-built with many options.

1974 AMC Javelin
1974 was the final year of production of the Javelin and 27,696 units were sold including 4,980 Javelin AMX models.


by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2015

Related Reading : AMC Javelin History

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 variants 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....
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Related Reading : AMC Javelin History

Introduced in 1967, the AMC Javelin was a pony car produced by the American Motors Corporation. Produced in two generations, the Javelin continued on until 1974, from 1968 through 1970 and from 1971 through 1974. The Javelin was available only as a two-door hardtop and either in economical versions or as a high-performance muscle car. AMC Javelins were manufactured in Kenosha, Wisconsin and assembled....
Continue Reading >>

1972 AMC Javelin Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1972 Javelin
$3,100-$37,935
1972 AMC Javelin Price Range: $2,800 - $3,100

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1972 AMC Models
$2,780 - $3,140

Javelin

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
109.90 in.
8 cyl., 360.00 CID., 245.00hp
8 cyl., 360.00 CID., 290.00hp
8 cyl., 390.00 CID., 325.00hp
$2,725 - $4,000
26,866
109.90 in.
6 cyl., 232.00 CID., 135.00hp
6 cyl., 258.00 CID., 150.00hp
8 cyl., 304.00 CID., 210.00hp
8 cyl., 360.00 CID., 245.00hp
$2,890 - $3,430
26,184
110.00 in.
6 cyl., 232.00 CID., 100.00hp
8 cyl., 304.00 CID., 150.00hp
$2,800 - $3,100
30,902
110.00 in.
8 cyl., 304.00 CID., 175.00hp
$2,983 - $3,190
110.00 in.
8 cyl., 360.00 CID., 175.00hp
$3,000 - $3,300

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