1970 AMC Javelin RARE

This is an absolutely exceptional example of this all original surviving apart from one repaint 1970 AMC Javelin NON SST 2 door Hardtop Coupe with the rare & highly desirable 'X' code factory optional 'Go Package' with the 390CID 315HP 4 BBL V8 engine matched to a close ratio Borg-Warner T-10 4 speed transmission with a 'Hurst Competition Plus' floor shifter, dual exhausts, heavy duty suspension with a larger diameter sway bar and heavy duty springs and shocks, Twin Grip differential, Traction Bars, Quick Ratio Power Steering, a pair of overlay fiberglass Ram Air hood scoops, a specially designed air cleaner for better breathing.This car also boasts the added 'Big Bad' options of mag-style wheels, power disc brakes, and a 140mph speedo with a big faced tachometer.

The car has been repainted in its original “Big Bad Orange” (Color Code 3A) color with correct factory 'C' stripes along the length of the mid-body of the car with an all original black leather interior (Trim Code 061J). Further factory options include the half vinyl roof and passenger side remote mirror.

This car is 1 of only 1,632 1970 390 V8 4 speed cars. It is also 1 of only 8 non SST cars produced in Big Bad Orange colors with the 390 and a close ratio 4 speed.

Original Owner Joseph H. Gutierrez Of Middletown PA (Harrisburg Area) (deceased 1999)

Purchased 4-1-71

Dealer #40-4044Hartman Motorcars Co. (Hartman AMC) (717) 455-3677

Built December 1969

Body # 7079-5

Trim 061J

Paint 3A

Body R013273

E034837

Engine 390 Cu. In. 325Hp

Engine Block # 3195529

Head # 3196211C

Edelbrock R4B Intake #AM4485729

Transmission Tag #AS4-T10V

J197057 first gear is 2.23, 2nd 1.77; 3rd, 1.35 and 4th 1.00

Rear Axle Twin Grip 3:54 ratio

Actual Body Stamp behind steering Box # X164648

History

This Javelin was ordered by Hartman AMC (now Hartman Motorcars Co, a Chrysler and Toyota Dealer) in Harrisburg PA. They were dealer AMC #40-4044.In contacting the dealership it was explained to me that they campaigned cars at the various local dragstrips from 68- 72. They’d get some promotional support from AMC which discounted the price of the car to them. It was explained to me that in those days you could order anything on any car. “So we’d just open the options book and ordered what we wanted. Evidently from AMC’s order book you could make some pretty interesting cars from combining individual options that were available, cars that wouldn’t ordinarily see a showroom. The “Big bad Orange Javelin” was one of those special order cars.Evidently they also ran a Machine.

The factory knew of our program and what we were doing. In those days AMC was family enough that we could also ask for “little things” to be done to the car as it was being built. If I recall right the manifold from the 69 was used on the 70. I think we had to modify it a little. We also put on the 750 Holleywe’d used on the ‘69 then found out that the hood wouldn’t close with the ram air stuff, due to the difference in manifold heights. AMC should have taken that into consideration when they made that hood. We installed a new cam and headers. I think the car ran low/mid 13’s. The Javelin was a bit quicker than the Machine”.

Since this was a specific purpose factory ordered car versus a standard “show room” model I believe this car to be one of only a handful made with it’s particular setup. While a non SST optioned car,this Javelin is by no means stripped. It’s options include Big Bad Orange paint, vynal roof, of course the 390 Go Pac and the cowl induction hood system option standard on the AMX, vinal roof, electric wipers, RH side mirror, center arm rest, AM radio, rear speaker and separate speaker control, T10 close ratio 4speed transmission and 3:54 twin grip rear end. In 1970 there were only 8,469 non SST cars made and roughly 17,000 of the SST models. While there is some debate, evidently there were only some 70 Javelins painted in Big Bad Orange in both non and SST categories.Only 8 are believed to be non SST Javelins.

I acquired the car in the late summer of 2004. By this time the car lived in San AntonioTexas. It had been purchased at a local car auction in 2000 somewhat by accident by a GM aficionadoand had spent the ensuing 4 years sitting in a shed, largely neglected. That owner placed it on E Bay which is where I bought it, not knowing anything of it’s background. His understanding was that it had been through several owners. When the car arrived it was immediately evident that the pictures I had received had been complimentary. Barely in running condition, the car was tired and had definitely seen better days. I drove it limitedly that fall trying to decide whether to fix it or to move it along and look for something different. Over the years some parts had gone missing and some incorrect. I knew I’d have Quite a search for parts ahead of me especially for the only 1970 parts, this being the last year for that body style.. As I began to research the car however, it became more interesting to me. By late fall the Javelin was up on blocks in my garage, entirely stripped of running gear and interior. Over 2005 and through this yearmany evenings and weekends where used stripping and prepping the body. 35 years of small dints were heat shrink removed, damaged body panels straightened and aligned,rear quarter panel and inside rocker panels cut out and replaced.In the end the body work was completed with an absolute bare minimum of filler. As for the engine department, after a tune up, replacement of plug wires re-building of the Holley carb and sorting out some coil issues the engine had perked right up. It actually runs surprisingly strong. I have therefore elected to simply clean and paint it and save my consideration of it for another day, after some road experience. A new clutch and pressure plate were installed and the transmission inspected, which is in great shape..

AMC Guru Eddie Stokes Comments regarding the car’s peculiarities (2005)

Hello,

We've never met. An AMC friend of mine suggested I contact you. I have a 70 Javelin and was wondering if you might be able to suggest if there is anywhere one can go to trace dealerships which might have ordered or sold specific cars and to whom it might have been sold?

On this, about the only way you can determine this is trace ownership or a window sticker, bill of sale or other paperwork, like perhaps previous owner kept records of maintenance, and it has the owner before him/her listed. You also can look thru my "parts" file where I have a shitload of dealerships.

Seemingly this Javelin is a non SST car. I believe it to be a BBO, built in December 69. It has a half vinyl roof, the plain interior, but with the go package. The serial number corresponds with the numbers stamped behind the steering box. Any articles I've seen refer to SST cars, Trans Ams and Donahue’s. Am I right that it would seem that one could order just about anything in any body including the GoPac? It does seem odd to me that somebody would order a basic (non SST) car when it doesn't seem that it was all that much more money to get the SST package.

No, not at all, as a Go Pack was nothing more than a option, as was the Big Bad colors, which were a big bad flop. To determine if your car is a big bad colored car, or any other color, click on 'paint chip charts' on my website's "parts" file, where you can match the door trim tag to the paint chip. I also have a file in there about what is Go Pack. I have owned about 20 AMCs with unusual things like a 70 Javelin in Big bad Orange, loaded, AT, PS, PDB, console with armrest, heated rear glass, rear bumper guards, just really optioned, and you open the hood and it was a factory 258-6 cylinder.

Also have owned a 69 Rambler 232, AT in big bad blue. You could get Gremlins, Hornets (here is a big bad blue fender off a 70 Hornet that was recently crushed in a pick a part yard here, I pulled a lot of stuff off it, wished I could bought whole car, but they won't sell whole car when title is surrendered to state. ) but the paint is no big deal, then, or now. Some love the big bad colors and it can add about 15% to a sell when selling, others like then, and now, avoid it like plague. Back in 69-70 if you got pulled over in a bright car like this from any automaker, you could get your hippie ass kicked in many towns, even pulled over and harassed by cops. The colors, regardless of car, was called 'cop attractors'. Different time you know.

SE # AOM795X164648

Trim 061J (I think this means black plain interior)

See decodes on my website.

Code 7079-5 (I think this is the plain Javelin build in Milwaukee, but doesn't the "R" on the body code mean Kenosha?)

It is a base model, but all were built in Kenosha, the smaller cars were East line, the bigger cars like Rebel, Amb and Mat on west line.

Paint 3A (I believe this is BB Orange)

also could be 03, or just 3, but yes, big bad orange.

Body R013273 (Don't know what these numbers mean)

I have this somewhere on my website too, it the body number which will usually be within six weeks of the VIN.

E034837 (These numbers are at bottom of tag, don't know what they mean)

This is the build order, which appears your car was an early 1970 model, probably built in Sept thru Oct 1969, as production began Aug 1st, 1969 for 70 model years. There was a OAW strike in 1970 costing AMC 36,000 cars, and I do not know what part of the calendar year that happened however, but production shut down due to it.

Block # 3195529 and has the 390 casting at the mounting so I'm presuming the engine is the original

It appears to be. That’s the correct number for a 70

Head #3196211C (Not sure what the C stands for I believe these are the original 51CC heads.

Edelbrock R4B intake with AM part # 3195529 (I am presuming that this intake had to be altered in some way to be used on a 70, since the 70 manifold has a (different AM number?)

Yes and no, there were three part numbers, possibly four that I know of. To determine if this one has been altered as you mention, look at the mount holes directly below the carb, and if slotted, that is elongated, then it is indeed altered, but still no big deal at all, it is still a $450 intake with any AMC part numbers on it, great intake I have a number of them in stock, but never sell them, put them on my own AMCs. (not slotted so it’s A 70 manifold) In fact I’ll give you $450 and also a non part numbered R4B if you want to sell it.

T-10 transmission tag AS4-T10V (not sure what these numbers mean)

That transmission is the most desirable BW-T-10, it is the close ratio type, better than the other ones, the first gear is 2.23, 2nd 1.77; 3rd, 1.35 and 4th 1.00. Same as used in SC/Rambler a great setup. They are hard to find.

I'm in the process of restoring the car. I'd bought it off E Bay a year ago from a couple near San Antonio who'd bought it at an auction in about '99.

I had a 68 AMX when I was in my 20's and always enjoyed AMC's & Nashes. Here are a few pics for your amusement, as I'd got the car and where it is now.

Good to hear, who did you buy it off of in San Antonio as I know a lot of folks over there. How much you pay for it, don't look like it needs a whole lot of work.

Thanks for your interest and any help you might be able to provide.

Good luck with it, if we were closer I’d definitely want to buy it from you. That is an exceptionally rare Javelin. It’s one of only 8 that I know of built to those specs. Of all custom dealer ordered for local competition and showroom presentation cars yours is now only the 3rd one I’m aware of that’s still around.

Eddie Stakes

Above is the data from the gentlemen I purchased the car from this spring, and here is what needs attention:

-back seat is good but the strip of vinyl between it and the rear shelf needs replacing

-door panels are rough

-seats are from a gremlin and should be replaced with correct buckets

-original breather is not present

-someone tried to crazy glue the bezel on hood scoop and it run on the paint. see picture. not to bad.