1970 AMC Javelin from North America - Comments

Power brake unit replaced - after 37 years

Windshield wiper linkage came loose - new clip

Front bushings squeak - haven't fixed yet.

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...

The Javelin was a very popular car with my friends back when I was in high school during the late 60's and very early 70's. Like the Plymouth Roadrunner of the same time, the Javelin featured very bright and popular paint schemes with plenty of brand detailing.

Javelin SST was the luxury model. Javelin AMX was the performance version.

The Javelin ran into some bad press. They were powerful and quick at the traffic lights and very good if you liked to burn tires. The safest way to drive Mustangs, Firebirds and Javelins of that time was in a straight line with plenty of room for those underpowered brakes to stop them.

The Javelin AMX replaced the original 2-seater AMX. In 1970 the AMX was still in production. The SST (correct me) was the sportiest Javelin of that year.

There was no real mechanical differences between the base Javelin and the SST model. Like all other AMC models back then, SST just signified a fancier interior and some additional exterior trim. Whether that makes it sportier or not is a matter of opinion, but someone who just wanted a fast AMC car, but could not afford an AMX, would have more likely chosen a base Javelin, preferably equipped with the 343 or 390 V8 and four-speed.

I believe the 1970 AMC Javelin SST model had Exterior chrome rocker molding as well as chrome trim on the roof drip railing, and also chrome along the top of the door, and below the door glass. The interior on SST equipped models received a faux-wood-grain trim instead of the base models silver finish.

The Performance Group options, as well as other option 'Groups', such as visibility, convenience, lighting, Etc.. were available on either SST or 'Base' models. The Performance 'Group' was called the 'Go-Pak'. The 140MPH Speedo/8K RPM tach gauge setup is part of the 'Go-pak'.

Individual 'Performance' goodies such as Roof Spoiler, Front and/or Rear Spoilers, Functional Ram-Air or non functional 'Power Blister' Hood, Simulated Side Exhaust Rocker trim, 'Trac-loc' Diff.,'Magnum' Sport rims, and the 390 Could be had in almost any Javelin. There was also the rare 'Rallye-pak' Gauge option.

Two Performance Dedicated 'SST' Models available were the 100 or so, R/W/B 'Trans Am' Javelins with the 'Kaplan' rear wing, and the 2500 or so 'Mark Donohue' Javelins (that's DonOhue, not DonAhue) with the regular rear spoiler. But again, pretty much anything that made these cars special could be had on the 'SST' and for the most part, 'Base' model as well.

It is all in the individual options.

AM C-ya!