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1970 AMC Javelin

The AMC Javelin was a revolution for the normally conservative carmaker, hoping to capitalize on the growing and lucrative pony car market. Introduced on September 26th of 1967, the Javelin was offered with a broad range of 6-cylinder and V-8 engines ranging from economical to powerful, initially available in base and upmarket SST trim, and followed in March of 1968 by the shortened Javelin-based 2-seat AMX.

During the 1968 season, AMC contracted with road racers Ron Kaplan and Jim Jeffords to prepare and campaign two Javelins in the SCCAs Trans-Am series. The Group 2 racing was a highly competitive category contested with factory-backed teams from Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, and Plymouth. The AMC effort was the only factory-entered team to finish every race entered that year. Drivers included George Follmer Peter Revson and Lothar Motschenbacher. The 1970 team included Roger Penske and Mark Donohue, which helped AMC win back-to-back Trans Am series championships for 1971 and 1972.

The 1970 javelin had similar styling features of the AMX, with a unique twin venturi-type grille - a change from the prior year's bull's-eye badge. Changes to the front included better-integrated headlights into the nose, and front bumper, front parking lights and hood which it shared with the AMX. Standard equipment included dual horns, high-back bucket seats, compartment lights, and a three-speed manual gearbox with floor shift controls.

The limited-production Javelin SSTs had a sport steering wheel with horn-blow rim and full wheel disc. The Javelin Trans AM trim package (although known as the Javelin 'Trans Am' they were SST Javelins as Pontiac owned the rights to the name) included the SST equipment plus front lower and rear deck spoilers, black vinyl interior, Space-Saver tire with regular spare wheel, Visibility Group, Light Group, power steering, Twin-Grip differential, 14 x 6-inch mag-style wheels, F70-14 glass-belted tires with raised white letters, tachometer and 140 mph speedometer, AM push-button radio, four-speed gearbox with Hurst floor shift, heavy-duty cooling system, 3.91:1 axle ratio, and the 390 cubic-inch four-barrel V8 engine. The 390 CID was rated at 325 horsepower at 5,000 RPM and 420 lb-ft of torque. It had a 10:1 compression ratio and a manually operated cold air hood scoop. Other features included power steering, power front disc brakes, and stiff suspension.

The Javelin Trans Am were produced in a similar fashion to the cars raced by Ronnie Kaplan in the Trans-Am racing series. They were finished in a three-segment red, white and blue paint scheme created by designer Brooks Stevens. Just 100 examples were built, the amount needed to homologate the car for Sports Car Club of America racing. Early in 1970, this rule changed, requiring 2,500 examples to be built. This led to the creation of the Mark Donohue Javelin SST. Most of these special examples came equipped with the 360 CID V8, a unique ducktail rear spoiler, and Mark Donohue's signature ***** on the right-hand side.

Compared to other 'Trans-Am' cars of the era, the AMC Javelin SST 'Trans-Am' was the rarest, with only 100 built. 8,733 examples of the Camaro were built, 7,013 of the Mustang Boss 302, 2,399 of the Dodge Challenger T/A, and 2,724 of the Plymouth AAR 'Cuda.

Approximately 28,000 examples of the Javelin were produced in 1970, a decline in sales partially due to rising gasoline prices, insurance rates, and stricter federal vehicle emission mandates. Roughly 53 examples were the high-performance examples built by Hurst Performance for NHRA Super Stock drag racing use.


by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2020

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....
Continue Reading >>

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 >>

1970 AMC Javelin Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1970 Javelin
$4,000-$28,120
1970 AMC Javelin Price Range: $2,725 - $4,000

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1970 AMC Models
$1,995 - $2,220
$3,020 - $4,120

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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