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AMC Javelin

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AMC Javelin: AMC Javelin: The Pony Car That Won Trans-Am
Photo: MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

AMC Javelin: The Pony Car That Won Trans-Am

The AMC Javelin is a two-door pony car that American Motors built for the 1968 through 1974 model years, across two generations. It won the Trans-Am racing series in 1971, 1972, and 1976.

The Javelin was AMC's entry into the pony car market created by the Ford Mustang. It grew out of two AMX concept cars from AMC's 1966 "Project IV" show tour, part of a push to shed the company's economy-car image and reach younger, performance-minded buyers. Chief stylist Dick Teague designed it, and trim and engine choices ran from economical pony car to full muscle car. Javelins were built in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and assembled under license in Germany, Mexico, the Philippines, Venezuela, and Australia.

AMC hired Roger Penske and driver Mark Donohue to campaign Javelins in the SCCA Trans-Am Series, and a 1970 Mark Donohue edition of 2,501 SST cars carried his signature on the rear spoiler. The second generation arrived for 1971 with a new body, and the AMX name moved to the top performance version of the Javelin. For 1972 and 1973, 4,152 Javelins got an optional interior by fashion designer Pierre Cardin, with pleated red, plum, white, and silver stripes on black.

The Javelin also went to work. Facing a budget shortfall in 1971, the Alabama Highway Patrol couldn't buy its usual fleet of full-size Fords and began using Javelin AMXs for pursuit and high-speed calls. That made the AMX the first pony car used as a standard highway patrol car by an American law enforcement agency. Collector price guides point to the V8 cars, especially the 390 and 401, as the most desirable.

Frequently asked questions about AMC Javelin

What years was the AMC Javelin made?
For the 1968 through 1974 model years, in two generations: 1968 to 1970 and 1971 to 1974. It was built in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and assembled under license in several other countries.
Did the AMC Javelin win races?
Yes. Javelins won the SCCA Trans-Am Series in 1971, 1972, and 1976. American Motors had hired Roger Penske and driver Mark Donohue to campaign the cars.
What is the difference between the Javelin and the AMX?
The Javelin grew out of two 1966 concept cars named AMX, a two-seat version and a four-seat AMX II. Starting with the second generation in 1971, AMX was the name of the top performance version of the Javelin.
Was the AMC Javelin a police car?
Yes. From 1971 the Alabama Highway Patrol used Javelin AMXs for pursuit and high-speed calls, after a budget shortfall ruled out its usual full-size Fords. It was the first pony car used as a standard highway patrol car in the US.

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