Car: AMC Javelin SST 390 Coupe
Year: 1970
What makes it special: AMC’s Javelin was a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, two-door hardtop model manufactured and marketed across two generations, 1968–70 and 1971–74. Styled by Dick Teague, the Javelin was available in a range of trim and engine levels, from economical pony car to muscle car variants. In addition to manufacture in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Javelins were assembled under license in Germany, Mexico, Venezuela, as well as Australia, and were marketed globally.
What made it famous: The 1970 Javelins featured a new front-end design with a wide “Twin-Venturi” front grille incorporating the headlamps and a longer hood. It also had a new rear end with full-width taillamps and a single center-mounted backup light. This was a one-year-only design. Side marker lights were now shared with several other AMC models. The exterior rear view mirror featured a new “aero” design and in some cases matched the car’s body color. Also new was the “power blister” hood, featuring two large openings as part of a functional cold ram-air induction system; this was included with the “Go Package” option. Many buyers selected the “Go Package”, available with the 360 and 390 4-barrel V8 engines. This package as in prior years included front disc brakes, a dual exhaust system, heavy-duty suspension with anti-sway bar, improved cooling, 3.54 rear axle ratio, and wide Goodyear white-lettered performance tires on styled road wheels. The interior for 1970 was also a one-year design featuring a broad dashboard, it was wood grained on SST models, new center console, revised interior door panel trim, and tall “clamshell” bucket seats with integral headrests available in vinyl, corduroy, or optional leather upholstery. A new two-spoke steering wheel was available with a “Rim Blow” horn.
Why I would want one: They are probably the coolest 2-door American Sports Car since the Chevrolet Corvette, and one of the few metal 2-seaters since the Ford Thunderbird.
Fun fact: As the winner of Tans-Am race series in 1971, 1972, and 1976, the second-generation AMX variant was the first pony car to be used as a standard vehicle for highway police car duties by an American law enforcement agency
