AMC Javelin, AMX, and Muscle Car Restoration 1968-1974. Scott Campbell
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Название: AMC Javelin, AMX, and Muscle Car Restoration 1968-1974
Автор: Scott Campbell
Издательство: Ingram
Жанр: Сделай Сам
isbn: 9781613252659
isbn:
American Motors began to get serious about performance cars following the introduction of the modern V-8 engines late in 1966. Although the 343-powered 1967 Rogue was a great performer, American Motors upped the ante for the next model year.
Although it looks fairly rough, this 1968 AMX provided a wealth of original information both before and during its teardown. Driven for years, even through Ohio winters (note the snow tires!) and then parked for decades in a barn, this one-owner, 66,000-mile car was nonetheless deemed worthy of a complete restoration.
1968
Featuring a Carter AFB 4-barrel carburetor, forged crankshaft and connecting rods, the high-compression AMX 390 V-8 was the company’s largest and most powerful engine to date. Also arriving for the 1968 model year was the sporty Javelin pony car and the two-seat AMX sports car, which was introduced mid-year in late February.
The new Javelin was a Mustang competitor, and as such it was compared directly to Ford’s offering in AMC’s print advertising. Available in only one body style, a semi-fastback, the Javelin offered the choice of a thrifty 6-cylinder or powerful V-8 engine coupled to either a manual or automatic transmission. The Javelin SST was a more upscale version with nicer interior appointments including fully reclining seats, as well as full wheel covers and additional exterior brightwork. Following the mid-year introduction of the AMX, the 390 V-8 became the Javelin’s top engine option.
With the new AMX sports car, American Motors had an image changer on its hands. Available only with a 4-barrel, high-compression V-8, dual exhaust, traction bars, and a pair of fully reclining bucket seats, the new AMX was intended to be a “halo car,” lowering the median age of visitors to AMC showrooms; in that role it was a major success. Sales success, however, was not realized. Although high volume was never planned for the AMX, one advertisement stated that just 10,000 units were planned for the first year. Actual production fell short of even that goal. A two-passenger muscle car was not a good fit for everyone, but many Javelin sales could certainly be attributed to customers who had been lured into AMC dealerships by the hot new AMX.
The Javelin was AMC’s entry in the pony car field. But, unlike the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, it was available in only one body style: a semi-fastback coupe. Introduced in late 1967 as a 1968 model, the Javelin’s first generation ran through 1970, as seen here. Clean examples can still be found at a reasonable price, although high-performance and limited-edition variants have steadily increased in value.
The 1968–1970 two-passenger AMX sports car was the first AMC model to enjoy mainstream collector interest. Every one built featured a high-compression 4-barrel V-8, bucket seats, and dual exhaust. AMX production for all three years totaled just 19,134 units. This 1968 model features the optional Trendsetter side exhaust system as well as the Go Package, which was a popular performance option group for the AMX.
1969
The 1969 model year saw the continuation of both the Javelin and AMX models with only detail refinements. Additional wood-grain trim was added to the center dash panel and door armrests, and the Javelin received a slightly different grille and smaller “Javelin” scripts for the hood and upper quarter panels. New paint colors were offered along with additional colors for the AMX Go Package stripes.
The big news for 1969 was the introduction of the Hurst SC/Rambler collaboration between American Motors and Hurst Performance of Warminster Township, Pennsylvania. It was a compact Rogue hardtop (in its final season), equipped with the AMX 390 V-8 engine, 4-speed transmission, a functional forced-air induction hood scoop (the first for American Motors), subframe connectors, torque link traction bars, and other performance modifications.
Often regarded as the swan song for the Rambler name, the 1969 Hurst SC/Rambler featured two distinctly different paint schemes, although both were patriotic red, white, and blue. Because only 1,512 units were produced, an SC/Rambler was a rare sight when new, unless you happened to be at the dragstrip!
Also new and exciting was the mid-year introduction of the Big Bad Colors option for both the AMX and Javelin. Available in Big Bad Orange, Big Bad Green, and Big Bad Blue, this option featured high-impact colors, even applied to the front and rear bumpers. The front bumper required an additional molding along the leading edge to complete the bright grille opening. Big Bad bumper moldings are rarely found for sale today. Optional rear bumper guards were also painted to match, if ordered, and Go Package–equipped AMXs painted in the Big Bad Colors were limited to black or white only for the over-the-top stripe colors.
The 1969 Hurst SC/Rambler combined AMC’s compact Rogue hardtop body with an AMX 390-ci V-8, backed by a BorgWarner 4-speed transmission. Available in two distinctly different paint schemes, the only other option was an AM radio. Combined production was just 1,512 units making it very collectible today. But beware of clones because many SC/Ramblers had been driven to their deaths, or allowed to rust beyond repair. This is an example of the flashier “A” paint scheme.
Other AMC models also received the Big Bad paint colors in 1969, but without the body-color bumpers. This included the Rebel Raider, a special edition sold in the New York region.
1970
Both the Javelin and AMX received a significant makeover for the 1970 model year, the final season for the AMX as a two-seater. The car’s interior was completely new, including the dash, door panels, and seats, which were now high-back buckets that no longer reclined. A functional ram-air hood was at last optional for both models, as well as a distinctive Shadow Mask paint scheme for the AMX only; the hood, fender tops, and perimeter of the side glass were painted in a low-gloss black, separated by a silver pinstripe.
With the Rogue body discontinued, American Motors turned to the newly restyled intermediate Rebel for another special edition, “The Machine.” Larger but more powerful than the Hurst SC/Rambler, and with its 340-hp 390 V-8 The Machine didn’t disappoint. It could be ordered with an optional, console-shifted automatic transmission. The first 1,000 units were finished in a red, white, and blue motif with reflective racing stripes; after that, any production Rebel color could be ordered sans racing stripes. Unique to the Machine was a lighted tachometer incorporated into the back of the functional forced-air induction hood scoop.
Model year 1970 was a pinnacle year for special edition Javelins, including one named for SCCA Trans-Am series driver Mark Donohue. Built to commemorate Donohue’s (as well as AMC’s) success in the series, the Mark Donohue–edition Javelin SST was a 360 or 390 V-8–powered model featuring an AMX ram air hood as well as new fiberglass ducktail spoiler that was developed in cooperation with Donohue. The spoiler included a sticker placed on the passenger side bearing Donohue’s signature. No code found in the car’s VIN or door data plate indicates this option; a factory-built Mark Donohue Javelin can only be verified as authentic by having original paperwork.