The Plymouth Barracuda, Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro, and Pontiac Firebird were all-new for 1970, but the Ford Mustang and Mercury Cougar were carry-overs from 1969. But let’s not forget AMC, which introduced the Javelin for 1968 and gave it a facelift for 1970 to manage the onslaught of new pony cars. Our Pick of the Day, a 1970 AMC Javelin SST, shows how American Motors kept things fresh until its 1971 redesign. This particular vehicle is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. (Click the link to view the listing)
The 1968-69 Javelin was a sales success but, even better, it gave American Motors a much-needed image boost in its quest to compete toe-to-toe with General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. While AMC didn’t have monster engines to handle 426 Hemis, the 343 and 390 were enough for most people. And then there was the two-seater AMX, which gave AMC a unique car without peer.
By the 1970 model year, the Javelin was in its third year—oldest among all the pony cars in the market. A new full-width twin-venturi grille now encompassed the headlights. The semi-rectangular parking lights were new too. The hood now featured two simulated air scoops, and a power blister hood with ram air was available via the Go package. Out back, segmented, full-width taillights did not wrap around like the 1968-69 Javelin’s.
Two different, optional accent stripes were produced for 1968-69 but, for 1970, AMC designed a new Rally stripe that followed the beltline and then curved back after reaching the front. Also new was a “landau”-style vinyl top for the rear half of the roof.
Under the hood, a 232ci six was standard. The V8s started with the 304, which was an upgraded 290 that had appeared in earlier years. The 343 was upgraded to 360ci in two- and four-barrel flavors. The 390 continued as before, but now rated at 325 horses. The Go package was available for the 360 and 390.
Once again, there were two trim levels: Javelin and Javelin SST. The latter featured bright drip rail and upper sill moldings, bright lower sill moldings, and mag-style wheel discs. Inside, a redesigned, full-width dashboard featured a wood-grain applique, wood-grain applique on door armrests, door pull-handles, fancier seat pattern and fabric designs (with corduroy or leather at extra cost), bright pedal trim, center arm rest and center cushion when console was not ordered, and sports steering wheel with rim-blow feature.
When you see a 1970 Javelin at a show or in a magazine feature, there’s a good chance it’s a Mark Donohue signature version or a Big Bad-hued car, but here we have a lowly 1970 Javelin SST with the 304 two-barrel in Hialeah Yellow. The engine is backed by a Shift-Command automatic mounted on the column, which means this Javelin features the center cushion with arm rest. Of special note is the green corduroy interior, which matches nicely with the yellow exterior.
Other options include Weather Eye air conditioning, Safe Command power brakes, AM/FM stereo, vinyl roof, and five-spoke mag wheels. If this was a Mustang, the asking price would probably be 40 grand, but $22,788 is what it takes to bring this dollface to your home.
Click here for this ClassicCars.com Pick of the Day.
