1971 AMC Javelin SST 360: history, engineering and buying

The AMC Javelin was the least obvious pony car of its era: it was built by American Motors of Kenosha, Wisconsin, a company far smaller than Ford, GM or Chrysler. This guide covers the whole model history, but I give the most space to the 1971 model year and the SST with the 360 V8, because that is exactly what the 1971 AMC Javelin SST from the MB Classics archive was — a yellow car imported from the USA that had previously been part of a Warsaw collection of American cars.

What is the AMC Javelin and where did it come from?

The Javelin is a four-seat pony car coupé with which AMC entered the segment created by the Ford Mustang. It was unveiled on 22 August 1967, went on sale on 26 September as a 1968 model, and started at $2,743 (Wikipedia). The platform came from the compact Rambler American, and the styling was done by the team of AMC design chief Dick Teague.

The numbers show the size of the challenge. In 1968 AMC sold about 55,000 Javelins, while Chevrolet sold 235,000 Camaros and Ford 300,000 Mustangs (Hagerty, 2022). Alongside the Javelin, AMC offered the shortened two-seat AMX on the same base from 1968 to 1970.

The Javelin also reached Europe. Between 1968 and 1970 Karmann assembled 280 Javelins from CKD kits at its Rheine plant for the European market. Most cars found in Poland today, however, came through private imports from the USA.

What changed for the 1971 model year?

The 1971 model marks the start of the second generation and a nearly all-new body. Only the door skins, windscreen, rear bumper and valance, and the decklid carried over (Hagerty, 2019). The wheelbase grew by an inch to 110 in (2,794 mm) and the width by three inches to 75.2 in (1,910 mm). Overall length is 191.8 in, or 4,872 mm.

The most recognisable features of the second generation are the fender bulges over the front and rear wheels, the “twin canopy” roof with two recesses ending in a small spoiler, and full-width tail lights. The larger body gave more room inside, particularly in the back seat.

The range changed too. The two-seat AMX was dropped and from 1971 its name marked the sportiest version of the Javelin. AMC built only 2,054 Javelin AMXs that year. From 1971 to 1974 sales of the whole model ran at 25,000–30,000 cars a year, and production ended in 1974.

What does “SST 360” mean and which engines did the 1971 Javelin have?

SST is the trim level and 360 is the V8's displacement in cubic inches. From 1968 the SST added reclining seats, better upholstery, simulated wood on the door panels, a sports steering wheel and more bright mouldings, and for 1971 full wheel covers as well. The base Javelin was dropped for 1972, so all cars were SSTs, and from 1973 the SST badge disappeared.

The 1971 engine range was broad (SAE gross outputs as quoted by AMC):

From 1972 American makers quoted net outputs, so the same 401 V8 appears in catalogues at 255 hp. That is a change in how power was measured, not a weaker engine. Early in 1971 production the 401 had 10.2:1 compression and 335 hp; a cylinder head change lowered this to 9.5:1 and 330 hp.

AMC's 1966–1974 V8s were the company's own design: a light, thin-wall engine weighing about 550 lb (250 kg), similar to a Chevrolet small-block. The 401 was essentially a stroked 390 with a forged crankshaft and rods. For 1971 the V8s came with three- and four-speed manuals and the Borg-Warner Shift-Command automatic; for 1972 the automatic was replaced by Chrysler's TorqueFlite.

Go Package and AMX

The most sought-after specification is the Go Package. With the 401 V8 it cost $499 in 1971 and included uprated suspension, a fibreglass hood with cowl induction, heavy-duty cooling, the Twin-Grip limited-slip differential, power front disc brakes and 15-inch Rally wheels. The Javelin AMX had a base price of $3,432 and came with the two-barrel 360 V8 as standard, a mesh grille with large round parking lamps, spoilers and a blacked-out rear panel.

How did the Javelin compare with the Mustang and Camaro?

On performance the Javelin was close to its rivals, although the fastest Fords and Chevrolets had a slight edge. Sports Car Graphic timed a Go Package AMX 401 at 6.5 seconds from 0 to 60 mph and 14.3 seconds for the quarter mile; the Camaro Z/28 and Mustang Boss 351 were a few tenths quicker. Testers complained of axle tramp under hard acceleration. The 401 AMX weighed about 3,400 lb (1,540 kg).

AMC's strongest argument was racing. In 1970 Roger Penske's team with Mark Donohue lost the Trans-Am title to Ford and its Boss 302s — I explain what the Boss 302 was in the guide to the 1969 Ford Mustang Fastback. In 1971 and 1972 the Javelin won the championship, and Donohue won seven races in 1971. To be fair, Ford and Chevrolet had withdrawn factory support from the series by then.

In the market the Javelin remained a niche car. For a buyer today that means two things: you will rarely see one at a show, but parts and comparable cars for valuation are also harder to find. Other American cars in the MB Classics archive include a 1975 Chevrolet Corvette and a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro.

Which special editions of the Javelin were there?

The special editions were mostly about selling racing success and setting the Javelin apart in the showroom. The main ones:

• Mark Donohue (1970) — 2,501 SSTs with a ducktail rear spoiler bearing the driver's signature, built to homologate the spoiler for racing. The version is not coded in the VIN or on the door tag, which makes it hard to authenticate.
• Trans-Am (1970) — an estimated 100 cars styled after the race cars, priced at $3,995.
• Pierre Cardin (1972–1973) — 4,152 Javelins with an interior designed by Pierre Cardin: red, plum, white and silver stripes on black. The option cost $84.95.
• Alabama state police (1971–1972) — 132 Javelins with the 401 V8 bought for the highway patrol; according to Wikipedia they were the first pony cars used as regular patrol cars in the USA.

The AMX itself was also rare. Hagerty gives production of 3,785, 5,707 and 4,980 Javelin AMXs for 1972 to 1974, and of all 16,526 second-generation AMXs only 3,776 had the 401 Go Package.

What should you check when buying an AMC Javelin?

Corrosion matters most, because the Javelin has a unitary body and structural rust means a serious repair. Old Cars Weekly notes that rust was already a problem for these cars when they were daily drivers (Old Cars Weekly, 2013). Buyer's guides single out the floor pans, rear quarter panels and the trunk floor. Also look for accident damage on the corners of the body — rear visibility is poor.

The second issue is whether the specification is genuine. AMX badges, SST trim or Go Package decals are easy to add, and the Mark Donohue version has no code in the factory paperwork at all. Compare the engine, gearbox and equipment with the VIN and data plate, and if in doubt ask a marque club such as the American Motors Owners Association (amo.club). Many cars have been modified: different carburettors and manifolds, TorqueFlite gearboxes fitted in place of the Borg-Warner. That does not rule a car out, but it changes its value to a collector.

The third is parts. Hagerty points out that AMC parts are harder to find than those for Big Three cars, and that low values long made costly restorations uneconomic, so genuinely good cars are scarce. Mechanical parts are available, but Javelin-specific body and interior details usually have to be ordered from the USA.

How much does an AMC Javelin cost?

The Javelin is still clearly cheaper than comparable Mustangs and Camaros. According to Hagerty's May 2022 review, the median condition #2 (excellent) value was $21,800, up 16% over five years. Condition #2 values ranged from the mid-teens for 1973–1974 base V8 cars to the mid-to-high $20,000s for the SST and AMX. The Go Package added 10–30% and the Mark Donohue package 15%. These are American market prices — in Europe you need to add shipping, duty, VAT and the cost of preparing the car for registration.

If you are looking for an American classic, see the current MB Classics stock. The other model guides are in the Models and buyer's guides category, and I cover a British alternative from the same era in the MGB guide.