Pick of the Day: 1968 AMC Javelin SST

Part of American Motors’ bid to compete toe-to-toe with the Big Three was the introduction of the Javelin. With the success of the Ford Mustang, this new market segment could not be ignored, even if such a vehicle wasn’t quite a fit within AMC. But, considering AMC was on the sporty bandwagon with hardtops like the 1963 Rambler American 440-H, 1964 Classic 770-H, 1964 Ambassador 990-H, and 1965 Marlin, it was only a matter of time for AMC to come up with Mustang-fighter. A very nice example of AMC’s pony car, an inaugural 1968 Javelin SST, is our Pick of the Day. It is for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Christiansburg, Virginia. (Click on the link to view the listing)

Unlike the Mustang, the Javelin was only available as a semi-fastback coupe. “Its price is much less than the Mustang’s, yet you get much more,” claimed AMC. More room front and rear, more trunk space, more glass, and more maneuverability were some of the benefits. Two trim levels were available: standard and SST. Engine choices started with a 232ci inline-six, but you could opt for a 290 (available with two- or four-barrel carburetor), 343, and 390 V8s (the latter a late introduction). Additionally, performance fans could opt for the Go Package, which included a 343 or 390, dual exhausts, power disc brakes, heavy-duty springs, beefier sway bar, larger tires, and a nice fat longitudinal stripe.

The Javelin compared well in the marketplace to the Mustang and other cars in the segment, and the top 390 V8 was comparable in performance to most pony cars with similar cubic-inches aside of a solid-lifter 396 or Ram Air 400. By the end of the model year, 55,124 Javelins were built — 29,097 standard Javelins and 26,027 Javelin SSTs. They’re not often seen because they are drastically overshadowed by the two-seater AMX, and finding one in fine condition can be a tough proposition. The seller of this 1968 AMC Javelin SST hasn’t given much information — “all-original survivor . . . has plenty of pep to take you down the highway” — but we can infer some things from the pictures: the stripe tells us it has the Go Package, the engine bay shows it as being one of 8,954 SSTs built with the 343 (confirmed by the “T” in the VIN), and the paint looks to be Scarab Gold. Options appear to be black vinyl top, automatic transmission, woodgrain steering wheel, clock, AM radio, and Magnum 500 wheels.

The combination of condition and performance equipment makes this 44,644-mile 1968 Javelin SST a desirable pony car among more popular ponies (if not 1960s collectibles). For $45,000, this is a classic that is the perfect conversation starter for the loquacious.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.