Faults:

Power brake unit replaced - after 37 years

Windshield wiper linkage came loose - new clip

Front bushings squeak - haven't fixed yet.

General Comments:

Love my '70 Javelin SST. This was the same year as the Mark Donahue Javelin and the last year of the older body (which was updated from 68-69 with different dash, tail-lights and front grille/bumper/hood). I've owned it about a year and have been fixing it up while using it almost daily. It is a V8/Auto with PS and PB. It has drum brakes, but the fronts are 10" and stop the car easily from speed. Disc's were optional. Mine even has factory A/C (rare on 68-69's, but a lot of the 70's had it). In 1970 the auto's had the shifter on the console which is much more sporty than a column shifter. It has some unique features (squeeze the rim of the steering wheel to blow the horn, a low fuel warning light that flashes, etc) not found on other cars of this period. The Javelin is a great alternative to other "ponycars" like the Camaro, Mustang and Barracuda, and quite possibly even better. I've owned 3 Camaro's previously and can say that the Javelin handles better and is more comfortable. With it's factory anti-sway bar the handling is remarkable with almost no leaning in the corners. A lot of people think the Javelin was a 2 seater (the AMX was), but the regular Javelin has a back seat just like a camaro and is quite roomy. The styling of this car is awesome, nothing made today compares. You don't see too many of these at the shows either like the Mustangs and Cuda's. AMC made some darned good cars back then...

Faults:

Slight leak at shift shaft seal.

General Comments:

Extremely stylish, but not over the top.

232 engine is one of the very best in the history of the automobile. 145 horse power and 23 m.p.g. and you can expect the better part of 300,000 miles of service life. Ridiculously easy to work on. Almost identical to the reliable "Ramblers" of that era mechanically.

Faults:

Basic maintenance such as tires, battery, tune up. Nothing major in over 100,000 miles of trouble free driving.

Transmission had to be replaced, but considering how hard this car was driven, it should have went out several times. Some of those were 1/4 mile at a time!

General Comments:

The AMC Javelin was a wonderful styling exercise from AMC. If you ever have a chance to own one, please check it out, from the 232-6 cylinder models that get tremendous gas mileage to the hefty 390s and 401, it is all good.

If any of your readers are ever looking to buy a AMC vehicle, any model, including Javelin, please feel free to stop in at www.planethoustonamx.com as I have hundreds of free leads on AMCs for sale there in the free AMC Classifieds, and also the AMCs For Sale files. No charge, have helped over 500+ people find their AMC 'dream car' thru the years, and have personally owned 302 AMCs myself, including over 100 Javelins.