Picture Characteristic: 1969 AMC Javelin SST | The Day by day Drive | Client Information® The Day by day Drive

Word: The next story was excerpted from the February 2019 concern of  Collectible Automobile journal

After the profitable Romney years, American Motors Company stumbled within the mid Sixties. One misstep was the Marlin. It started because the well-received Tarpon present car primarily based on the compact American chassis. Had AMC stayed with the unique idea, it could have had a sporty compact to compete with the Ford Mustang in 1965. As a substitute, Marlin was stretched to suit on the midsize Basic chassis and gross sales had been minuscule.

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By 1967 AMC was teetering on chapter. That yr introduced dynamic new management with William V. Luneburg as president and Roy D. Chapin as chairman of the board. 

A Marlin substitute was already within the works—the Javelin, which made its debut for 1968. Set on a 109-inch wheelbase, it was within the “ponycar” class, though with just a little additional inside room. Costs tended to undercut the competitors, and the semifastback styling drew reward. Engines ranged from an 145-horsepower six to a 280-horse, 343-cubic inch V8. A 390-inch V8 that developed 315 horsepower grew to become non-compulsory midyear. 

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Javelins got here in base and tonier SST variations. (The event of supersonic transport [SST] planes was within the information and AMC thought the initials would add glamour to its high trim traces.) The SST included reclining entrance seats—uncommon in American vehicles on the time—a sport steering wheel, woodgrain inside trim, and broad rally stripes. Reviewers had good issues to say about Javelin’s efficiency and dealing with. The automotive went racing and competed in opposition to different ponycars within the Sports activities Automobile Membership of America’s Trans-Am collection. AMC hoped to promote 35,000 to 40,000 models, however as a substitute moved 56,462 Javelins for the ’68 mannequin yr. Not solely did the automotive promote properly, however it introduced youthful prospects into AMC showrooms. AMC was on a roll and turned a revenue. 

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Javelin had few adjustments for its second yr. Our featured automotive is a 1969 SST with the 390 V-8 and a four-speed guide gearbox. It’s presently owned by Bruce Ulmer of Churchville, New York, however when photographed was owned by John Robertson of Bloomington, Illinois. Robertson purchased the Javelin in 2006. It was rust-free, however the parts had taken their toll on the paint and vinyl high. Nevertheless the dashboard and patterned-vinyl seats had been in “like-new” situation. The Javelin’s first proprietor, consistent with AMC’s then-new efficiency picture, modified the automotive and went drag racing. The engine had a efficiency camshaft, manifold, and exhaust headers, and the rear fenders had been flared to accommodate larger tires. Robertson had the automotive returned to inventory specs. His greatest problem was discovering right components—which is rather more tough for AMC vehicles than Large Three makes. Robertson did the “grunt work” of sprucing the stainless-steel trim to showroom look. Among the many choices on this automotive are a tachometer, 140-mph speedometer, nonfunctional hood scoops, and dealing with bundle.

Robertson says the Javelin “dealt with properly and went down the street straight as an arrow at 65 to 70 mph.” The automotive didn’t have the non-compulsory energy steering, however the guide steering was not dangerous. “That’s a type of vehicles I want I hadn’t offered,” Robertson mentioned. It’s straightforward to know the remorse of promoting a Mandarin Pink Javelin.

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1969 AMC Javelin SST Gallery

Click on beneath for enlarged photographs.

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1969 AMC Javelin SST

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