1973 AMC AMX Javelin from North America - Comments

The torque converter is currently out, but since the factory trans in '73 was an outsourced Chrysler 727, parts are easy to get. This is, after all, the same transmition Chrysler put behind the Hemi enginges.

The original vinyl top needs replaced (it is older than I am) and the car needs repainted (still has original paint)

AMC's are the muscle car bargain. They're cheaper to buy than many of the cars from the big three and AMC's engines are pretty bullet proof. Mine is all original with the "GO" package. The performance from the cowl inducted 360 is great. The car has never refused to start and is a blast to drive. People pay a lot of attention to this car when you drive by because it isn't the typical Mustang or Camaro.

I have the same car, and I couldn't agree more!

In the fall of '72' I ordered a 73 AMX with 'Go Package' and had a great deal of fun with the car. One of the first things I did was disconnect all that pollution mumbo jumbo and replaced the factory Rochester Carb with an 850 dual pump Holly with mechanical secondaries. What a difference that made, even with the automatic trans. I drove it for about 3 years, putting on about 70,000 miles. and then our first son arrived and that was the end of the AMX. No room for baby seats and all that goes with them. I then moved up to a '75' Jeep Cherokee 'S' with a 360 and that 4 speed Borg Warner rock crusher trans. Not very fast, but would pull anything and go anywhere. Many other cars have come and gone over the years, but I wish I still had that AMX. Ain't hindsight wonderful.

My first car! Still have it 20+ years later. Really in bad shape, I have a dream to fix her up, but have not started yet. My 10 year old son says I need to get it fixed before he is old enough to drive. Yikes, I have not forgotten the power that 360 has. Anyone have any advice on how to get started? I am not looking to do a total restore, just want it to be the proud, head turning muscle car it deserves to be.

Thanks.

Advice? If you really don't know how to start, here's some: take it to a professional restoration shop and let them do it. No offense, but if you have to ask for advice on how to start, you are going to have a hard time of it. If you still want to go ahead, buy or at least check out some books on auto restoration to get some idea of what you are in for. You might want to also check out some AMC enthusiast sites for technical tips.

To the guy looking for advice on getting started, I think the first thing to do is decide what you want the car for. If you just want to get it back on the road and enjoy driving around, that's a lot simpler than wanting to take it to car shows. You can broadly separate the work into bodywork and mechanical work. If you just want to drive it around, focus on getting it running and driving so it goes in a straight line and stops in a straight line. That will be enough to get you back on the road. Then if you decide to go farther with bodywork, at least you'll have something drivable while working on it. Not sure what is meant by "really in bad shape" but, does it move under its own power? Does it run? Does the crankshaft turn freely? If not, the first thing you're looking at is to pull the engine and have it rebuilt (probably $1,500-$2,000). This is something you can do yourself, providing that you use a machine shop to recondition the block and fit the new pistons, balance the crank, rebuild the heads, etc., and you will assemble it like a Lego set. You can probably find an honest, private shop to rebuild the transmission for about $500. Once it runs and moves, then you need to make sure it stops, so you would get the rotors/drums machined, and replace the pads and shoes, and make sure the brake lines aren't leaking and that the brake system holds pressure. While the rotors or drums are off, put on new or repack the bearings, check the differential fluid and axle seals. Then at least you will having something that drives and stops. After that, it's a matter of getting it to drive and stop better, but at least you'll be driving it again. That's a different strategy than making a show car, in which you could just as well haul a hulk to the body shop, where they will tear it down to the frame for a rotisserie restoration.

Thanks for the comments. No I have never done anything like this before and no I have no plans to show it. The car has been in a pole shed for the past 18 years. The engine does not turn over and body and interior need quite a bit of work. It may be silly, but I just can't seem to part with it. I just wanted to get a sense of what I was getting into. Thanks again for the comments they are helpful.

I understand! I have a 78 Jeep Cherokee Chief Sport WT 401 that has been in the family since 1980. We are the 2nd owners of the Jeep.

Unfortunately, after we had the 401 rebuilt, the wiring harness caught fire while we were on an old MT road out in the middle of nowhere.

After we got her back home, we sent her to some shop to get rewired. Well that only lasted long enough for the warranty on the work to end and KABOOM, sitting on the edge of the freeway with a broke jeep! This happened in 1999... she still won't run right... no matter what I do,

Well I WILL NEVER SELL OR SCRAP OR GIVE AWAY THIS JEEP. I know just how much a automobile can mean to a person or a family. Best of luck to you and your AMX.

Jay S.