The AMX series of show cars included what was a dead ringer for the Hornet Sportabout with a Javelin front clip. Most people have no idea about just how much time is involved in design, testing and having tooling made for sheet metal stampings. Even if the Javelin might have used some stampings from the American. Typically three years from concept to introduction.
AMC had custom cylinder heads ported polished big valves big compression steel crank steel rods in a little bitty car. Stop y2 stoplight it was unbeatable
Never owned a Javelin, but in 1970 I installed the complete drivetrain including the suspension from a 1968 Javelin into a 1967 Rambler American. It was a 343 V8 and a 4 speed with a 3.54 rear axle. Since they shared the chassis, although the Javelin had some structural upgrades over the American it basically was a drop in. Car was pretty damn fast.
AMC was a good car company. Their cars had a tight, controlled ride much like Mopar was known for, and they built excellent engines. Much like the brands that merged in the 1950's to become AMC, AMC ran out of money. Jeep kept them alive for a while.
Had both Studebaker and Packard merged together with Hudson and Nash along with Kaiser and Jeep to form AMC in 1954 then man not only AMC be around to this day (and be the big 4th) but also its divisions would've been around as well.
@@mpetersen6 True, I would also imagine what both Studebaker and Packard be like had Ford bought both of em in 1954 instead of making Edsel in 1958 as well as Continental in 1956.
I would love to one day get the opportunity to put a javelin or an AMX up against a GTO to see which one is the fastest.. Ive driven a couple GTOs and they are quick but the javelin is lighter it will come down to driver
Forgot to mention in my comment, the reason I installed the Javelin drivetrain in a Rambler American is because the Javelin had been hit by a pickup hard on the passenger side and they totaled it.
I've always thought these were great looking cars. They still have great appeal imo! It is a tough choice in the first scenario, but these seem more rare, so most likely I'd go with this one, and The Machine in the second. 😎
Hi J. I think the Javelin was the best looking of all the pony cars of the era and I do think they were successful. You said t yourself, most of the real work was done. The talent was in the stunning design and AMC ethos. To me the Javelin has a lightness in its look, not heavy like a Camaro or barracuda or menacing like the Mustang. Not too aggressive, more swift and agile. But still fast. I’m sure AMC sold everyone they made. It’s just that everyone else could make more. ☺️👍
I think what I like most about the javelin besides the fact that it comes from a very conservative company is you would not think that car is fast but it’s right up there with the gto And some of the bigger muscle cars the AMX is definitely up there with it they had to restrain some of the horsepower to make the AMX Seem Attractive
Me too it would be really hard choice plus the machine in the scramble are worth a ton of money because they didn’t make that many of them and there isn’t that many that survive
If my memory serves me right ,AMC had a prototype car called the Tarpon which was based on the American body style as a fastback, had they brought it out in 65 instead of the Marlin it might of upset the big three in a small way.
I have always liked the Javelin although to a much lesser extent than the 1967 Marlin. I would still put it ahead of any of the cars from either scenario. While not being a performance buff, I would prefer one with base engine. By 1968 there were getting to be more American Motors cars without the Rambler name. The 1969 model year would mark the last year for the Rambler, although I did read the Hornet was sold under the Rambler name in export markets for 1970 only.
I wish AMC would have had brought out the Javelin instead of the Marlin at the time! There sure would have been very serious competition among the pony cars sales and Javelin would have probably stolen away sales of the competitors.
I've never driven a Javelin, so I have to base it on contemporary road tests (which incidentally give lie to the performance specs shown here), but I think the only other ponycar I'd have preferred over it that year would be the Cougar (styling!) with the XR-7 leather trim. But a Javelin with a 343 or 390 would be more than fine. It didn't replace the Marlin though - totally different segment, target buyer. Exceptionally clean styling and a good dash. WYR: 1) Values be damned, the Javelin, 2) Values consideration - the Machine, and then I'd sell it.
I admit I'm a pushover for the underdog. AMC was that kind of company to try and give the big 3 a run for their money with fairly competitive cars. It's the Javelin across the board for me, but "The Machine" looks sweet.
I'm a Chevy guy... and a Mopar guy... but I also like to root for the underdogs, so even though I've never really cared for the looks of the AMCs (they still look a lot better than most Fords, IMO), I think they deserve more love than they seem to get. That's one reason I like this channel, not many others even mention the lesser known companies.
I like everything except some of the really expensive European stuff I’m not into Mercedes Benz BMW land Rover Nor am i into the exotic cars either like Lamborghini Maserati Ferrari they don’t do anything for me. To me those cars are just expensive holes to shovel tons of money into to boost your ego. Idk just wired different i guess. I love featuring car brands that went belly up years ago that nobody knows about I love sharing their story. The biggest reason the channel exists is to inspire people to look outside the normal cars and drive something different. Like don’t get me wrong I’m a huge Mustang and like a lot of main stream cars but if given the choice between an AMX and a Mustang I’m going to pick the AMX because nobody knows what it is take it to enough shows and people will know what it is and they might be inspired to buy the AMX the more people drive the stuff the more available parts are. They are still making brand new parts for model is model tees because they made so many of them and people are driving them they stop making parts when people stop using stuff.
I was there and it was a good car as was all the AMC cars but the fake news killed it. . Every other day for 10 years they promoted doubt that AMC would be around next next week.
The 1968 Javelin was not a direct replacement for the Marlin. The Marlin, in the mid-sized class, was comparable to the Dodge Charger and the midsized Mercury and Ford fastback sporty cars the Torino GT and the rare Talladega, which were much larger than the Javelin. AMC had just discontinued one car line and filled the hole with a new car, which had nothing in common with the Marlin except for the drive train. The Javelin was AMC's first entry into the Pony Car class. The "Big 3" were more than a year ahead with their Pony Cars. First was the Plymouth Barracuda in 1964, second was the 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang and third were the twins from Chevrolet and Pontiac, the Camaro and the Firebird. What did the "Big 4" Pony Cars all have in common? They were all built on their companies Compact Car platforms. Ofcourse by 1968, The "Big 3" all had larger engines available with the Barracuda having the smallest "Big Block" option of 383 c.i. For special racing editions, the Barracuda could have the 426 Hemi available, but not available to the general public. Now, back to the Javelin. The 1970 version was merely a freshening up of the styling. It wasn't until the 1971 model year that the Javelin was totally restyled inside and out. The new 304 V8 and the 360 V8 were new, replacing the 290 and 343 V8's, but the 390 V8 was still the top engine. It was waiting in the wings, but the 390 was then upsized to 401 c.i. That was the largest engine AMC built, but still smaller than you could get in the "Big 3's" Pony Cars. Pony Cars were a niche market and I figure AMC vacated that field because of the new 1975 emissions standards and with a declining budget, AMC decided to turn it's attention back to what it was known for, small and midsize cars. The Cassini Matador might be considered the replacement for the Marlin.
I agree, these were largely under appreciated. WYR: 1968 Camaro and SC/Rambler, Love the SC/Rambler and would pick it over all the others. Another great episode - well done and thank you ~ Chuck P.S. Have fun at Hershey!
I might do a live thing at Hershey I don’t know I don’t have any plans except for a couple cars that I wanna go try to find.. but I’m not sure how it’s going to play out because that place is usually packed with people and I don’t know if I’ll get access to the cars like I get access to some cars I don’t know what to expect.. Great choices I would really love to drive an AMX or a javelin one day I’ve driven a Pontiac GTO I would love to compare the experienced that
I don’t go to town very often I live under a rock so speak in the country, I had to go through the city yesterday to deliver a cabinet on my way back I stopped in an urban area to grab a bit to eat and went in walmart screens everywhere.. I don’t know it’s just sad everybody’s on their cell phone everybody that I passed it on their cell phone you can’t be on your cell phone and drive a 52 Chevy truck there’s too much stuff going on. I dont like where going as a society but i can do anything to change it
Sweet choices I had to say mustang coupe because the 68 fastback, is an icon I like weird cars but I would definitely take a 68 fastback that’s a car that I’ve always wanted I had a 67 coupe at one point the cool thing about mustang as you can get every single part for that car I don’t know what javelin parts are like.. with that said hopefully one day we could drive a javelin or amx Great choices =)
@@What.its.like. Javelins are pretty easy builders... Stock or Strip????? U.S.Body has light weight glass fiber for Strip and factory body parts including quarter panels available... Drivetrains ???? 232 258 are CJ Jeep 304 CJ V-8 in the early 80s Grand Wagoner 360,401 carry the same motor mounts??? Ford ignition and starters and Alternators on most AMC !!!! Going Faster 😉😂 70s Postal jeeps an CJ 5 CJ 7 with 4 cylinder motors ????? 151 Chevy Iron Duke engines ...... Javelins , gremlins,pacers, and any AMC with a 232 can have a small block Chevy with postal Jeep motor mounts and a 1961 Chevy truck with a V-8 ... Use the front mount and a cross tube for a 4 bolt mount alowing a decent V-8 Chevy to strap in 😉👍 Traditional Hot Rodding is done on a budget!!!!!!!!! Let me know when you decide on a project ...☺️✌️👋👋
I’ve always liked the javelins since my friend grandfather bought a new 68 I had a 71 . What most people don’t realize is that the javelin handles better than the competition and I never had to worry about there being half a dozen others when cruising but for the would you rather I’ll take the 68 Camaro in the first choice and the 68 javelin in the second pick
For WYR, I would have to pick the '68 Mustang...for some reason the '67 and '68 Mustang is my favorite. But I will go for the Javelin for the second scenario. It's a fair question as to why these really didn't catch on. They were easy on the eye, not overdone at all. But as everyone else is saying, AMC was the underdog. That company never quite got the respect of The Big Three.
They just never got the press and it’s sad really because they were good cars.. I only 67 mustang at 1:10 point in time so that car has a special place in my heart that’s why I didn’t see the 68 fastback because that is an icon. (Builtt) I love different cars but man when Ford made the Mustang they did it right that car, story gives me chills. And it will never be done again because people just don’t work like they used to. I delivered that cabinet yesterday and I had to go through Pittsburgh to do it on the way home I stopped in a metropolis I live in the country under a rock I rarely go to the city unless I really have to. It was definitely an eye-opener there’s screens everywhere. Everywhere its sad i was sad what are they trying to distract us from because that’s all it is everywhere I went every person I passed was on their cell phone. Bot paying attention to anything but there cell phone
1 & 2: All of them. Never know when a road trip puts me in the mood for a particular one. Tune: I don't know, but it could be Deep Purple behind the song.
Jay, this has got to be some of Dick Teague’s better work…and he had some fabulous cars when he was at Packard. That said…if it’s what’s shown, I’d have to go with the 1968 Z/28 and the 1969 Hurst SC/Rambler. These are both SUPERCARS of the late 60’s. The SC/Ramblers are, as are the AMXs, just starting to be appreciated for what they truly were in their period. Might I suggest the AMX/3 prototype, which came very close to being produced as a halo car. Right up there with the DeTomaso Pantera, sold by Ford’s Lincoln-Mercury Division in the early 1970’s. Hell, might as well do both cars…or a compare/contrast. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMC_AMX_III
I have a base 70' javelin,swap 232 auto shift collum to 304 stéroïdes+5 speed Borg Warner + p.s + p.b Now,it is a funny Driver 😁.My BEAUTY is steel new,never drive in winter.I am from Québec Canada 🇨🇦😁😁
When AMC was formed you had Nash/Hudson/Rambler as the "makes" During the late 60's there were still Ramblers overlapping with AMC branded cars. The first year Marlin was actually a Rambler. I'd take the Javelin over the Moose-tang or Bitchin' Camaro. But I'd take The Machine over the Javelin.
Thank you so much for all that information I usually do a breakdown of all of that but I didn’t do it in this episode because I just did in the Marlin episode I didn’t want to be redundant Great choices =)
Hi Jay!: JAVELIN! To me, the 1968/69 Javelin/AMX were the best looking AMC cars of the 1960's! I would classify the Javelin as sort of inbetween pony and muscle car. They have a bit more chunky look than a Mustang or Camaro, Firebird, and more like a Mini-Chevelle. If you could buy one of these today NEW for $25,000 or less, I would be making my way to the nearest AMC dealer!! WYR#1 Sorry, Jay gotta go Mustang here, been a Ford guy all my life! #2 JAVELIN all the WAY!! Those were hard, especially #1 as I like the Javelin A LOT, and if I ever had a Camaro it would be a 1968, for some reason I like that one more than ALL the other years.
Great choices I love showing how little cars were back in the day because a Mustang now cost $43,000 double the price is it double the car that’s questionable.. The new one will run circles around the old one but it’s a hollow experience.. and wouldn’t really know what that’s like unless you’ve driven both/ I guess more than that lived with both my brother had a 2013 mustang the same time I had a 67 mustang coupe and his was way faster than mine I mean it out handled mine it was everything but years later he admitted and told me that mine was better.. which is not because he had 650 hp on his he did a lot of modifications it was so fast it is 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds with an automatic transmission I mean the things that he got his Mustang to do were almost unbelievable. My Mustang with user is 16 5 1/2 seconds which doesn’t sound that fast but it was I had an FMX three speed in it and if you shifted it manually it would go that fast you could hit 60 miles an hour in first gear.
I will take the Machine because AMC changed from Trunions to Ball Joints and they also added Torque Links to the rear suspension. However, my 70 AMX, everyone calls him MAX because he has balls. I bought MAX 10/25/1079 and he has never let me down.
Javelin sales were always quite respectable, although they never seriously threatened the Mustang or Camaro in that department. The Javelin actually outsold the A-body Barracuda in 1968 and 1969, a fact most car enthusiasts today remain unaware of. Probably evoked some measure of satisfaction in the boardrooms at American Motors. Fast forward a few years to the “late stage” muscle car era and the second-gen Javelin bested the E-body Challenger and Barracuda/’Cuda twice more in the 1972-1974 period.
Always thought the Javelin was cool. Something about it made it seem more mature to me than a Mustang or Camaro.....not something for the high school parking lot. As I look back nostalgically it classic cars and design, I suddenly see some resemblence in the front end styling of the Javelin, and the second generation Firebird released over two years later. I don't know if Bill Mitchell and his stylists at GM had any inspiration from it, though the very extroverted Mitchell certainly had interest in British and Continental design....with the aforementioned Firebird having some Ferrari styling influences. But as he always said, if your going to steal, Rob from a bank, not a grocery store. If he did rob from the AMC grocery store, he must have got them before the Brinks Truck arrived to collect the cash.
I want to buy one and do a complete review that was my favorite car ive ever owned not sure when i will do that one but just know i really mean want to those are great cars
68 Mustang 68 Javelin What killed the javelin and I believe the marlin as well was AMC. They were like the Rodney Dangerfield of automobile makers. They didn't get no respect. Plus I also believe they were late to the show. For their competitors the curtain had already been open for quite a few years before AMC opened their curtain to unveil their entry into this segment. It's pretty hard to compete when you're late to the game and your competition already has established models that they have been selling for a few years. That said there's no doubt that the Marlin and the Javelin/ AMX were two of the most beautiful cars designed by Dick Teague. There was another stigma that had to be overcome. Lots of people didn't buy into the AMC moniker. When they saw any AMC the first thing that came into their head was it's a Rambler. I witnessed this first hand when a friend of mine bought a javelin it was a 68 model. I thought it was a nice car and it was pretty fast. The price he paid for it was very good. I remember him saying that he bought it with every performance option that was available. I can't remember exactly All the options he said it had because it's been a long time ago but I just remember him saying that if they offered any performance options he just told them that's what he wanted. I'm sure that would have meant the largest V8 available with a 4-speed manual tranny and probably any go package options. I honestly can't remember if it had disc brakes or not. One thing I do remember is it was a very fast car. When you got on it it would push you back into the seat hard. It would really light up those rear tires and get pretty squirrely . You had to be pretty judicious out of the hole to get traction and then you could nail it and still it would spin them sometimes. He always walked to the beat of a different drum and he wanted something that was really fast because he knew he was going to get razzed. He must have known what was going to happen because, he was razzed constantly by people asking him why in the hell he bought a Rambler when he could have bought a mustang, a Dart GT, or a Camaro. He literally ran into that everywhere he went. The stigma was strong He literally got no respect. I never could understand why people had a bad opinion of Rambler. In my opinion they made some of the greatest station wagons ever produced.
Thank you so much for sharing all that insight i totally agree great reference Rodney Dangerfield =) he was a funny guy got kinda weird in his later years much like amc Great choices
@@What.its.like. much like AMC. Do you mean the gremlin and the Pacer? LOL. When an automobile company lays it's future in the hands of one model, it almost always spells disaster. For Studebaker it was the Avanti. For AMC the Pacer. Both were technically Forward thinking automobiles but had poor sales and never saved their prospective companies.
@@What.its.like. the Eagle America's first SUV. Had it been released by anyone other than AMC it might possibly still be around today. As far as The Matador goes one time on the late 80's when I was kind of down on my luck I bought a used 72 4-door Matador sedan because I needed transportation. It was owned by an old couple who never drove it very much anymore so I picked it up cheap. It had a straight six with an automatic with AC and it was a brown color. It was nothing fancy just a plain old car. It ran like a top but it had one problem. When it had been sitting for quite some time without being driven the rear main seal dried out and it would drip a steady drip of oil while the engine was running. Unfortunately that was a very difficult seal to replace on the 6 cylinder engine that year. Since it would have cost me more to have the seal replaced then I paid for the car to begin with I never did fix it. I would just go and buy a case of the cheapest motor oil I can find and keep it in the trunk. You would have to stop every 100 miles and put oil in it. Other than that it ran pretty good and the air conditioning even still worked. I actually drove that thing for a year or more till I got financially back on my feet. When I sold it I got a little bit more than I originally paid for it. It still ran like a top and it also still had a case of oil in the trunk. LOL
Javelins were decent runners ... I think they got whipped to hard ... They could have used bigger brakes ...in the 70s we built for Speed and forgot about stopping 🤕... I'd go Scrambler all day I had several 440 and 660s a Matador motor and off to the races 🤘🤠... 1968 Camaro loved the style and RS grill 👍😉 so did Japan 🇯🇵 😂😂 Useless Trivia 😂 compare a side shot of a 1967 or 1968 Camaro against a Toyota Celica 1973 74 or 75 🤔😲😂 Then compare a Toyota Celica fast back same years ???? Against a 1969 or 1970 Ford Mustang Fastback 😱😲😂. That's Japan 🇯🇵 Competing for the American Market!!!!!! 👍🤠 Another great episode Happy Motoring ✌️
'68 Camaro RS/SS 396... but I'd probably take the Javelin over the Mustang in '68. I'd have to do more research for the second choice... I'm not familiar with "the machine". Perhaps there's a video in the future...? ;) The song sounds familiar, but I can't place it...
1970 AMC Rebel Machine th-cam.com/video/vpH4E-Xcjco/w-d-xo.html The machine is really cool it’s crazy open till that point that was the only one that I’ve ever seen in person I saw a bunch more after recording that episode I’ve even saw ones that do not have the red white blue paint scheme I had to make the song harder but it is from 1968 it was on the Billboard 100 Very popular song Great choices too by the way =)
@@What.its.like. Nice... I'll check that video out in just a minute. I don't listen to much that was ever really popular, unless it fits the description of "rock and roll"... and that clip doesn't sound very "rock and roll"... LOL So, although I've probably heard the song, I don't even know what to guess. I looked at the year end billboard chart and I only recognise about 10 or 15 of the hundred! It's not Otis Redding's, "Dock of the Bay", is it? That one and "Angel of the Morning" are about the only songs I know that aren't The Beatles, The Stones, CCR, Cream, James Brown, or anything else I'm familiar with, and I know it's not any of those.
Javelin is one of the best-looking pony cars back in the day
Totally agree they are super underrated =)
I like the first generation Javelin the best. The styling looked clean and fast.
The second GEN looks very interesting with the wheel wells in the hood those lines mimicked in the hood
I'm glad to see that you put some 'Heart' into the Barracuda.
Haha I missed an opportunity for would you rather I should’ve done
would you… barracuda there will always be a next time though.
Very good review. The Jav was a good car 4 sure.
The 343 Typhoon could hold its own in it's size class.
Glad you dig this episode =)
The AMX series of show cars included what was a dead ringer for the Hornet Sportabout with a Javelin front clip.
Most people have no idea about just how much time is involved in design, testing and having tooling made for sheet metal stampings. Even if the Javelin might have used some stampings from the American. Typically three years from concept to introduction.
AMC had custom cylinder heads ported polished big valves big compression steel crank steel rods in a little bitty car. Stop y2 stoplight it was unbeatable
Totally underrated and never caught on which is sad
Never owned a Javelin, but in 1970 I installed the complete drivetrain including the suspension from a 1968 Javelin into a 1967 Rambler American. It was a 343 V8 and a 4 speed with a 3.54 rear axle. Since they shared the chassis, although the Javelin had some structural upgrades over the American it basically was a drop in. Car was pretty damn fast.
Your conversion sounds bad ass do you still have it.
The 390 was a monster!
And super underrated
AMC was a good car company. Their cars had a tight, controlled ride much like Mopar was known for, and they built excellent engines. Much like the brands that merged in the 1950's to become AMC, AMC ran out of money. Jeep kept them alive for a while.
If AMC came out with the Javelin much earlier it would have been an even greater success!
Totally agree
Cool colors.
AMC finally got their shit together in 68 or so but it was too little too late.
They should’ve came out with this a few years prior when they saw the success of the mustang that’s when they should’ve gotten on it..
Have always loved the javlin best of the pony muscle cars
=) They are really cool underappreciated overlooked cars
AMC was so underappreciated, their designs were so unconventional. Being different is always a good thing. Nice job as always.
Totally agree what’s crazy is if AMC was around now I bet you they would have more buyers.. glad you dig this episode
@@What.its.like.
It had gotten too expensive on the development side of things.
Had both Studebaker and Packard merged together with Hudson and Nash along with Kaiser and Jeep to form AMC in 1954 then man not only AMC be around to this day (and be the big 4th) but also its divisions would've been around as well.
@@CJColvin
I doubt it. Both Packard and Studebaker had major issues money wise they hid from each other.
@@mpetersen6 True, I would also imagine what both Studebaker and Packard be like had Ford bought both of em in 1954 instead of making Edsel in 1958 as well as Continental in 1956.
I am pretty big on that 68 Javeilin or the AMX, all told I would probably get a near full size car - a 69 Chevelle comes to mind or a GTX
The red white and blue AMC doorslammer would clean up at the drags. Hands down one of the quickest cars on the Street
I would love to one day get the opportunity to put a javelin or an AMX up against a GTO to see which one is the fastest..
Ive driven a couple GTOs and they are quick but the javelin is lighter it will come down to driver
I remember the Javelin when it came out!
Awesome =)
@@What.its.like.My older Brother used to Talk about it,Everyone Wanter one
Forgot to mention in my comment, the reason I installed the Javelin drivetrain in a Rambler American is because the Javelin had been hit by a pickup hard on the passenger side and they totaled it.
The 1969 rambler scrambler above all
Awesome =)
Always loved the javelin and the Marlin they were both key players in AMCs underdog story.
Yeah totally agree AMC has lots of cool cars that just got swept under the rug
I've always thought these were great looking cars. They still have great appeal imo! It is a tough choice in the first scenario, but these seem more rare, so most likely I'd go with this one, and The Machine in the second. 😎
Hi J. I think the Javelin was the best looking of all the pony cars of the era and I do think they were successful. You said t yourself, most of the real work was done. The talent was in the stunning design and AMC ethos. To me the Javelin has a lightness in its look, not heavy like a Camaro or barracuda or menacing like the Mustang. Not too aggressive, more swift and agile. But still fast. I’m sure AMC sold everyone they made. It’s just that everyone else could make more. ☺️👍
I think what I like most about the javelin besides the fact that it comes from a very conservative company is you would not think that car is fast but it’s right up there with the gto And some of the bigger muscle cars the AMX is definitely up there with it they had to restrain some of the horsepower to make the AMX Seem Attractive
javelin for both picks. Love the AMC cars. That they went bust has to be because business acumen was lacking.
That vinyl top treatment with body color around the rear window works like a champ. This IS a very beautiful car inside and out.
Nice review of a special car.
Thank you glad you dig this episode =)
That 6 had a LOT of torque but it wasn't much better on gas than the smallest V-8 they offered.
That six was bullet proof or so ive heard
Cool classic car
My FAV Javelins were the last 2 years, 1973-74 they had AWESOME styling and one of my neighbors had one when I was a kid!!
I liked the first gen much better, especially 1970.
I'd pick all of the AMC's
Me too it would be really hard choice plus the machine in the scramble are worth a ton of money because they didn’t make that many of them and there isn’t that many that survive
If my memory serves me right ,AMC had a prototype car called the Tarpon which was based on the American body style as a fastback, had they brought it out in 65 instead of the Marlin it might of upset the big three in a small way.
Yes! And the top of the tarpon dodge ripped it off and used it on their charger
I have always liked the Javelin although to a much lesser extent than the 1967 Marlin. I would still put it ahead of any of the cars from either scenario. While not being a performance buff, I would prefer one with base engine. By 1968 there were getting to be more American Motors cars without the Rambler name. The 1969 model year would mark the last year for the Rambler, although I did read the Hornet was sold under the Rambler name in export markets for 1970 only.
I wish AMC would have had brought out the Javelin instead of the Marlin at the time! There sure would have been very serious competition among the pony cars sales and Javelin would have probably stolen away sales of the competitors.
Javelin and machine. And I'm a Ford guy.
Sweet choices =)
My '68 Javelin was a wonderful car! Loved it! Wish I still had it!
Sweet was it in your top 5 cars you've ever owned
I've never driven a Javelin, so I have to base it on contemporary road tests (which incidentally give lie to the performance specs shown here), but I think the only other ponycar I'd have preferred over it that year would be the Cougar (styling!) with the XR-7 leather trim. But a Javelin with a 343 or 390 would be more than fine. It didn't replace the Marlin though - totally different segment, target buyer. Exceptionally clean styling and a good dash. WYR: 1) Values be damned, the Javelin, 2) Values consideration - the Machine, and then I'd sell it.
I admit I'm a pushover for the underdog. AMC was that kind of company to try and give the big 3 a run for their money with fairly competitive cars. It's the Javelin across the board for me, but "The Machine" looks sweet.
Great choices totally agree =)
I'm a Chevy guy... and a Mopar guy... but I also like to root for the underdogs, so even though I've never really cared for the looks of the AMCs (they still look a lot better than most Fords, IMO), I think they deserve more love than they seem to get. That's one reason I like this channel, not many others even mention the lesser known companies.
I like everything except some of the really expensive European stuff I’m not into Mercedes Benz BMW land Rover Nor am i into the exotic cars either like Lamborghini Maserati Ferrari they don’t do anything for me. To me those cars are just expensive holes to shovel tons of money into to boost your ego. Idk just wired different i guess.
I love featuring car brands that went belly up years ago that nobody knows about I love sharing their story. The biggest reason the channel exists is to inspire people to look outside the normal cars and drive something different. Like don’t get me wrong I’m a huge Mustang and like a lot of main stream cars but if given the choice between an AMX and a Mustang I’m going to pick the AMX because nobody knows what it is take it to enough shows and people will know what it is and they might be inspired to buy the AMX the more people drive the stuff the more available parts are. They are still making brand new parts for model is model tees because they made so many of them and people are driving them they stop making parts when people stop using stuff.
I love the Javelin, but on your choices, I think I would rather have the Scrambler.
Awesome choice
I was there and it was a good car as was all the AMC cars but the fake news killed it. . Every other day for 10 years they promoted doubt that AMC would be around next next week.
I hate fake news, its a big problem, and has been since the media has been around it’s amazing
The 1968 Javelin was not a direct replacement for the Marlin. The Marlin, in the mid-sized class, was comparable to the Dodge Charger and the midsized Mercury and Ford fastback sporty cars the Torino GT and the rare Talladega, which were much larger than the Javelin.
AMC had just discontinued one car line and filled the hole with a new car, which had nothing in common with the Marlin except for the drive train.
The Javelin was AMC's first entry into the Pony Car class. The "Big 3" were more than a year ahead with their Pony Cars. First was the Plymouth Barracuda in 1964, second was the 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang and third were the twins from Chevrolet and Pontiac, the Camaro and the Firebird. What did the "Big 4" Pony Cars all have in common? They were all built on their companies Compact Car platforms. Ofcourse by 1968, The "Big 3" all had larger engines available with the Barracuda having the smallest "Big Block" option of 383 c.i. For special racing editions, the Barracuda could have the 426 Hemi available, but not available to the general public.
Now, back to the Javelin. The 1970 version was merely a freshening up of the styling. It wasn't until the 1971 model year that the Javelin was totally restyled inside and out. The new 304 V8 and the 360 V8 were new, replacing the 290 and 343 V8's, but the 390 V8 was still the top engine. It was waiting in the wings, but the 390 was then upsized to 401 c.i. That was the largest engine AMC built, but still smaller than you could get in the "Big 3's" Pony Cars. Pony Cars were a niche market and I figure AMC vacated that field because of the new 1975 emissions standards and with a declining budget, AMC decided to turn it's attention back to what it was known for, small and midsize cars. The Cassini Matador might be considered the replacement for the Marlin.
I agree, these were largely under appreciated. WYR: 1968 Camaro and SC/Rambler, Love the SC/Rambler and would pick it over all the others. Another great episode - well done and thank you ~ Chuck P.S. Have fun at Hershey!
I might do a live thing at Hershey I don’t know I don’t have any plans except for a couple cars that I wanna go try to find.. but I’m not sure how it’s going to play out because that place is usually packed with people and I don’t know if I’ll get access to the cars like I get access to some cars I don’t know what to expect..
Great choices I would really love to drive an AMX or a javelin one day I’ve driven a Pontiac GTO I would love to compare the experienced that
So easy to work on but who would be bothered with that today.
I don’t go to town very often I live under a rock so speak in the country, I had to go through the city yesterday to deliver a cabinet on my way back I stopped in an urban area to grab a bit to eat and went in walmart screens everywhere.. I don’t know it’s just sad everybody’s on their cell phone everybody that I passed it on their cell phone you can’t be on your cell phone and drive a 52 Chevy truck there’s too much stuff going on. I dont like where going as a society but i can do anything to change it
‘68 Javelin, ‘70 Machine
Sweet choices =) I really want to drive a javelin one day and amx =)
First pick the 68 Camaro in Rallysport trim The second the ScRambler
Agreed 👏👏👏👏✌️
Sweet choices
I had to say mustang coupe because the 68 fastback, is an icon I like weird cars but I would definitely take a 68 fastback that’s a car that I’ve always wanted I had a 67 coupe at one point the cool thing about mustang as you can get every single part for that car I don’t know what javelin parts are like.. with that said hopefully one day we could drive a javelin or amx
Great choices =)
@@What.its.like. Javelins are pretty easy builders... Stock or Strip?????
U.S.Body has light weight glass fiber for Strip and factory body parts including quarter panels available...
Drivetrains ???? 232 258 are CJ Jeep 304 CJ V-8 in the early 80s Grand Wagoner 360,401 carry the same motor mounts???
Ford ignition and starters and Alternators on most AMC !!!!
Going Faster 😉😂 70s Postal jeeps an CJ 5 CJ 7 with 4 cylinder motors ?????
151 Chevy Iron Duke engines ......
Javelins , gremlins,pacers, and any AMC with a 232 can have a small block Chevy with postal Jeep motor mounts and a 1961 Chevy truck with a V-8 ... Use the front mount and a cross tube for a 4 bolt mount alowing a decent V-8 Chevy to strap in 😉👍
Traditional Hot Rodding is done on a budget!!!!!!!!! Let me know when you decide on a project ...☺️✌️👋👋
The Javelin was a great looking car. I like it better than the Mustang or Camero
Rambler Scrambler. Saw one kick ass vs Plymouth GTX 440 6. pack. Very strong performer.
3 time Trans Am champions!
=) cant wait to cover a 70 and talk about Mark Donahue
I had a 68 Javelin. Loved it
Makes me think of those bubble side window old short vans. I would pick on the would I rather: Camaro, Scrambler
I’ve always liked the javelins since my friend grandfather bought a new 68 I had a 71 . What most people don’t realize is that the javelin handles better than the competition and I never had to worry about there being half a dozen others when cruising but for the would you rather I’ll take the 68 Camaro in the first choice and the 68 javelin in the second pick
For WYR, I would have to pick the '68 Mustang...for some reason the '67 and '68 Mustang is my favorite. But I will go for the Javelin for the second scenario.
It's a fair question as to why these really didn't catch on. They were easy on the eye, not overdone at all. But as everyone else is saying, AMC was the underdog. That company never quite got the respect of The Big Three.
They just never got the press and it’s sad really because they were good cars.. I only 67 mustang at 1:10 point in time so that car has a special place in my heart that’s why I didn’t see the 68 fastback because that is an icon. (Builtt) I love different cars but man when Ford made the Mustang they did it right that car, story gives me chills. And it will never be done again because people just don’t work like they used to.
I delivered that cabinet yesterday and I had to go through Pittsburgh to do it on the way home I stopped in a metropolis I live in the country under a rock I rarely go to the city unless I really have to. It was definitely an eye-opener there’s screens everywhere. Everywhere its sad i was sad what are they trying to distract us from because that’s all it is everywhere I went every person I passed was on their cell phone. Bot paying attention to anything but there cell phone
I really like the 71 to 74 AMC Javelin more but they lack performance because of the government restrictions.
1 & 2: All of them. Never know when a road trip puts me in the mood for a particular one.
Tune: I don't know, but it could be Deep Purple behind the song.
Great guess it’s not deep purple songs from 1968
Great choices
@@What.its.like. Well, at least I had the genre either right or fairly close.
Jay, this has got to be some of Dick Teague’s better work…and he had some fabulous cars when he was at Packard. That said…if it’s what’s shown, I’d have to go with the 1968 Z/28 and the 1969 Hurst SC/Rambler. These are both SUPERCARS of the late 60’s. The SC/Ramblers are, as are the AMXs, just starting to be appreciated for what they truly were in their period.
Might I suggest the AMX/3 prototype, which came very close to being produced as a halo car. Right up there with the DeTomaso Pantera, sold by Ford’s Lincoln-Mercury Division in the early 1970’s. Hell, might as well do both cars…or a compare/contrast.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMC_AMX_III
Dick Teague was a really good designer who could make awesome cars from a shoestring budget =)
I have a base 70' javelin,swap 232 auto shift collum to 304 stéroïdes+5 speed Borg Warner + p.s + p.b Now,it is a funny Driver 😁.My BEAUTY is steel new,never drive in winter.I am from Québec Canada 🇨🇦😁😁
When AMC was formed you had Nash/Hudson/Rambler as the "makes" During the late 60's there were still Ramblers overlapping with AMC branded cars. The first year Marlin was actually a Rambler.
I'd take the Javelin over the Moose-tang or Bitchin' Camaro. But I'd take The Machine over the Javelin.
Thank you so much for all that information I usually do a breakdown of all of that but I didn’t do it in this episode because I just did in the Marlin episode I didn’t want to be redundant
Great choices =)
Hi Jay!: JAVELIN! To me, the 1968/69 Javelin/AMX were the best looking AMC cars of the 1960's! I would classify the Javelin as sort of inbetween pony and muscle car. They have a bit more chunky look than a Mustang or Camaro, Firebird, and more like a Mini-Chevelle. If you could buy one of these today NEW for $25,000 or less, I would be making my way to the nearest AMC dealer!! WYR#1 Sorry, Jay gotta go Mustang here, been a Ford guy all my life! #2 JAVELIN all the WAY!! Those were hard, especially #1 as I like the Javelin A LOT, and if I ever had a Camaro it would be a 1968, for some reason I like that one more than ALL the other years.
Great choices I love showing how little cars were back in the day because a Mustang now cost $43,000 double the price is it double the car that’s questionable.. The new one will run circles around the old one but it’s a hollow experience.. and wouldn’t really know what that’s like unless you’ve driven both/ I guess more than that lived with both my brother had a 2013 mustang the same time I had a 67 mustang coupe and his was way faster than mine I mean it out handled mine it was everything but years later he admitted and told me that mine was better.. which is not because he had 650 hp on his he did a lot of modifications it was so fast it is 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds with an automatic transmission I mean the things that he got his Mustang to do were almost unbelievable. My Mustang with user is 16 5 1/2 seconds which doesn’t sound that fast but it was I had an FMX three speed in it and if you shifted it manually it would go that fast you could hit 60 miles an hour in first gear.
Love the Javelin, but I gotta go with the Camaro in the first match up. Definitely take the Javelin in the second group.
Groovy choices =)
I will take the Machine because AMC changed from Trunions to Ball Joints and they also added Torque Links to the rear suspension.
However, my 70 AMX, everyone calls him MAX because he has balls. I bought MAX 10/25/1079 and he has never let me down.
Awesome choice =)
How about the Javelin's bad-ass brother, the AMX?
And yes, the seats reclined.
1969 AMC AMX, was this the most underrated muscle car of the 60s?
th-cam.com/video/_K3Byy7JLTc/w-d-xo.html
Javelin sales were always quite respectable, although they never seriously threatened the Mustang or Camaro in that department. The Javelin actually outsold the A-body Barracuda in 1968 and 1969, a fact most car enthusiasts today remain unaware of. Probably evoked some measure of satisfaction in the boardrooms at American Motors. Fast forward a few years to the “late stage” muscle car era and the second-gen Javelin bested the E-body Challenger and Barracuda/’Cuda twice more in the 1972-1974 period.
Great information thank you so much for sharing that =)
Javelin Machine
Sweet =)
Always thought the Javelin was cool. Something about it made it seem more mature to me than a Mustang or Camaro.....not something for the high school parking lot. As I look back nostalgically it classic cars and design, I suddenly see some resemblence in the front end styling of the Javelin, and the second generation Firebird released over two years later. I don't know if Bill Mitchell and his stylists at GM had any inspiration from it, though the very extroverted Mitchell certainly had interest in British and Continental design....with the aforementioned Firebird having some Ferrari styling influences. But as he always said, if your going to steal, Rob from a bank, not a grocery store. If he did rob from the AMC grocery store, he must have got them before the Brinks Truck arrived to collect the cash.
68 Javelin
70 Machine (those things were bad ass)
song, not a clue
Awesome choices =)
1968 Mustang
Javelin
67/ 68 mustang is a really hard choice to beat great choices =)
Could it be Wichita Lineman by Glenn Campbell? Either way, I would prefer a 1968 Plymouth Fury, Lol.
Awesome guess not that song or band
Song is from 1968
Can you do video on 1980-1989 Lincoln town car.
I want to buy one and do a complete review that was my favorite car ive ever owned not sure when i will do that one but just know i really mean want to those are great cars
68 Mustang
68 Javelin
What killed the javelin and I believe the marlin as well was AMC. They were like the Rodney Dangerfield of automobile makers. They didn't get no respect.
Plus I also believe they were late to the show. For their competitors the curtain had already been open for quite a few years before AMC opened their curtain to unveil their entry into this segment.
It's pretty hard to compete when you're late to the game and your competition already has established models that they have been selling for a few years.
That said there's no doubt that the Marlin and the Javelin/ AMX were two of the most beautiful cars designed by Dick Teague.
There was another stigma that had to be overcome. Lots of people didn't buy into the AMC moniker. When they saw any AMC the first thing that came into their head was it's a Rambler.
I witnessed this first hand when a friend of mine bought a javelin it was a 68 model. I thought it was a nice car and it was pretty fast. The price he paid for it was very good. I remember him saying that he bought it with every performance option that was available. I can't remember exactly All the options he said it had because it's been a long time ago but I just remember him saying that if they offered any performance options he just told them that's what he wanted. I'm sure that would have meant the largest V8 available with a 4-speed manual tranny and probably any go package options. I honestly can't remember if it had disc brakes or not. One thing I do remember is it was a very fast car. When you got on it it would push you back into the seat hard. It would really light up those rear tires and get pretty squirrely . You had to be pretty judicious out of the hole to get traction and then you could nail it and still it would spin them sometimes. He always walked to the beat of a different drum and he wanted something that was really fast because he knew he was going to get razzed.
He must have known what was going to happen because, he was razzed constantly by people asking him why in the hell he bought a Rambler when he could have bought a mustang, a Dart GT, or a Camaro. He literally ran into that everywhere he went.
The stigma was strong He literally got no respect. I never could understand why people had a bad opinion of Rambler. In my opinion they made some of the greatest station wagons ever produced.
Thank you so much for sharing all that insight i totally agree great reference Rodney Dangerfield =) he was a funny guy got kinda weird in his later years much like amc
Great choices
@@What.its.like. much like AMC. Do you mean the gremlin and the Pacer? LOL. When an automobile company lays it's future in the hands of one model, it almost always spells disaster.
For Studebaker it was the Avanti. For AMC the Pacer. Both were technically Forward thinking automobiles but had poor sales and never saved their prospective companies.
Gremlin Pacer matador., the eagle was their swag song but just like everything else it was too late
@@What.its.like. the Eagle America's first SUV. Had it been released by anyone other than AMC it might possibly still be around today.
As far as The Matador goes one time on the late 80's when I was kind of down on my luck I bought a used 72 4-door Matador sedan because I needed transportation. It was owned by an old couple who never drove it very much anymore so I picked it up cheap. It had a straight six with an automatic with AC and it was a brown color. It was nothing fancy just a plain old car.
It ran like a top but it had one problem. When it had been sitting for quite some time without being driven the rear main seal dried out and it would drip a steady drip of oil while the engine was running. Unfortunately that was a very difficult seal to replace on the 6 cylinder engine that year. Since it would have cost me more to have the seal replaced then I paid for the car to begin with I never did fix it. I would just go and buy a case of the cheapest motor oil I can find and keep it in the trunk. You would have to stop every 100 miles and put oil in it. Other than that it ran pretty good and the air conditioning even still worked. I actually drove that thing for a year or more till I got financially back on my feet. When I sold it I got a little bit more than I originally paid for it. It still ran like a top and it also still had a case of oil in the trunk. LOL
68 Javelin
Sweet =)
Javelins were decent runners ... I think they got whipped to hard ... They could have used bigger brakes ...in the 70s we built for Speed and forgot about stopping 🤕...
I'd go Scrambler all day I had several 440 and 660s a Matador motor and off to the races 🤘🤠...
1968 Camaro loved the style and RS grill 👍😉 so did Japan 🇯🇵 😂😂
Useless Trivia 😂 compare a side shot of a 1967 or 1968 Camaro against a Toyota Celica 1973 74 or 75 🤔😲😂
Then compare a Toyota Celica fast back same years ???? Against a 1969 or 1970 Ford Mustang Fastback 😱😲😂. That's Japan 🇯🇵 Competing for the American Market!!!!!! 👍🤠
Another great episode
Happy Motoring ✌️
Awesome choices =)
Would love to drive one, one day
Hands down, I take the Mustang. That’s not to say the Javelin doesn’t have its points, mostly in the engine.
I love the mustang as well i owned a 67 coupe when i was 21 they are great cars especially if your just getting into the classic car hobby
'68 Camaro RS/SS 396... but I'd probably take the Javelin over the Mustang in '68.
I'd have to do more research for the second choice... I'm not familiar with "the machine". Perhaps there's a video in the future...? ;)
The song sounds familiar, but I can't place it...
1970 AMC Rebel Machine
th-cam.com/video/vpH4E-Xcjco/w-d-xo.html
The machine is really cool it’s crazy open till that point that was the only one that I’ve ever seen in person I saw a bunch more after recording that episode I’ve even saw ones that do not have the red white blue paint scheme
I had to make the song harder but it is from 1968 it was on the Billboard 100
Very popular song
Great choices too by the way =)
@@What.its.like. Nice... I'll check that video out in just a minute.
I don't listen to much that was ever really popular, unless it fits the description of "rock and roll"... and that clip doesn't sound very "rock and roll"... LOL So, although I've probably heard the song, I don't even know what to guess. I looked at the year end billboard chart and I only recognise about 10 or 15 of the hundred! It's not Otis Redding's, "Dock of the Bay", is it? That one and "Angel of the Morning" are about the only songs I know that aren't The Beatles, The Stones, CCR, Cream, James Brown, or anything else I'm familiar with, and I know it's not any of those.
Yeah, it’s none of those. It’s a popular band, but more Motown.
Javelin, SC Rambler . You missed the obvious opportunity to say something like "Now, Won't You ! Barracuda" I'm disappointed...
Oh man so many missed opportunities in this one I will try harder next time I should’ve did the red White and blue AMC as well.. = )
Was that By The Time I Get To Phoenix by Glen Campbell?
Great guess but not that song or band its not beach boys either
Camaro and machine
Sweet choices
AMX
Awesome choice
#2 rebal machine please
Sweet
68 cougar xr7
Sweet =) write in
Can i hold you again? Runfied?
Great guess but it’s not that song or band =)
Javelin please
Awesome
Finally, he's getting away from 1890s steam-driven stuff and back to proper cars
Haha i have a few more if those in the pipeline Hershey is coming i want more 40s 50s and 60s cars but really like telling history’s of brands