1968-74 AMC Javelin was the last pony car out of the gate.
AMC found a niche when America's Big Three automakers went all out for space age style and gas guzzling V-8s in the 1950s. American drivers had few options. Kaiser introduced a weird little Porky Pig coupe called the Henry J. Hudson built a runty little over-priced and under-powered steel box and showed their sense of humor by naming it Jet. Both were soon out of the car business entirely. All but alone in the market, American Motors' modest little Ramber found a profitable niche. Even AMC's big models were medium-sized preachers' cars that served as practical, efficient transportation somewhat like American Volvos.
A tsunami of baby boomers crested as the sixties peaked. The kids wanted something fresher and sportier than the bloated death stars their parents drove. Chevrolet's red hot Corvair Monza, a sporty coupe with bucket seats and a floor shift, found their sweet spot. It's often the second guy to exploit an idea who takes it to the bank--in this case Ford's Mustang cleaned up the youth market that Monza discovered.
When Ford's Mustang sold more cars in a year than AMC's entire line, the Kenosha, Wisconsin automaker took notice. AMC introduced the Marlin, a fastback version of its mid-sized Classic model that missed the mark by a mile. Realizing its mistake, the company set to work on a proper pony car and introduced the Javelin for 1968. It was a slightly larger car than its competition and offered a roomier interior.
Frugal, practical, automaker AMC busted a move and went racing in order to promote its Johnny-come-lately pony. SCCA race teams helmed by Donahue and Penske had mixed results but set a new standard for durability as the Javelin was the only car in the series to finish all the races with all its entries.
AMC introduced a shortened, two-seat verion of the Javelin named AMX. The bulldog-square sports car was made in limited numbers and remains a hot collectible to this day.
With a total production of just 124,009 Javelins spread over 7 years, it might be the rarest of the pony cars. At its peak, Mustang sold that many cars on an off Sunday. Today, Javelins are affordable classics that stand out in a sea of vintage Mustangs and Camaros.
For more info see slideshow and links below:
1960: Year of the compact car part 3, Chevrolet Corvair
Archive of Classic Autos Examiner posts
2010 Camaro: Return of a classic
Comments