The AMC Javelin was a “pony car” built during the muscle car era by the American Motors Corporation between 1968 and 1974. The Javelin debuted September 26, 1967.
Its production into the muscle car bracket of street rod muscle cars can be classified into two generations: 1968 to 1970 (with a separate design in 1970) and 1971 to 1974. Javelins competed successfully in Trans-Am racing and won the series with AMC sponsorship in 1971, 1972, and independently in 1975.
Javelins were assembled under license in Europe, Mexico, and Australia, and sold in other export markets
The Javelin was a production version of one of the AMC AMX prototypes shown during the 1966 AMX project nationwide tour. Intended to rival other pony cars such as the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, it debuted in 1967. Available engines were a 232 cu in in-line-six and three V8s.
With its standard engine, the Javelin cruised at 80 miles per hour , while the 290 cu in V8 boosted top speed to 100 miles per hour .
The optional "Go Package" included a four-barrel carbureted 343 cu in V8, power front disc brakes, dual exhausts, and wide tires, that delivered the 60 miles per hour dash in eight seconds and a top speed approaching 120 miles per hour. Also available was the SST trim level that gave a greater degree of luxury.
In mid-1968 the AMX 390 cu in (6.4 L) engine was offered as a Javelin option. Its impressive 315 hp and 425 lb·ft of torque could send the Javelin from zero-to-sixty in the seven-second range. American Motors supported the AMX and Javelin with a "Group 19" range of dealer-installed performance accessories. These included a dual four-barrel cross-ram intake manifold, a high performance camshaft kit, needle-bearing roller rocker arms and dual-point ignition.
Road & Track compared the Javelin favorably to its competitors on its introduction in 1968, describing the "big, heavy, super-powerful engine" as "an asset in such a small vehicle", and the styling as "pleasant." The car was longer and roomier than its competition (Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and Plymouth Barracuda), and the Javelin's styling was arguably the cleanest of the lot. With its exiting and beautiful shape, the Javelin sold like "hotcakes" with production of over 56,000 in 1968. However, the disc/drum brakes and the non-power-assisted "quick-steering" option were criticized, and journalists also complained about AMC’s safety-style interior, saying it was dull or bland.
The Javelin's second year 1969, saw only slight changes, featuring revised striping, grille, and trim. The “Mod Javelin” Package was also introduced mid-year in 1969 and included an unusual roof mounted spoiler and twin blacked-out simulated air scoops on the hood. A “Big Bad” paint (neon brilliant blue, orange and green) option was available on Javelins starting in mid-1969 and through 1970.
AMC Introduces the Javelin to Racing:
American Motors was intent on changing the image of the company and its new pony car competitor. It formed a racing team and entered the Javelin in dragstrip and Trans-Am Series racing.The Javelin's first Trans-Am attempt was in the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1968. Starting in January, two Javelins were prepared by Kaplan Engineering with engines by Traco Engineering. Power was provided by the basic 290 cu in V8 that was bored out to 304.3 cu in. Ronnie Kaplan recalls that "... we never had enough time to properly develop the Javelins because of our time factor and most of our testing and development took place at the race track". Starting with a 68-car field, only 36 cars finished, with Peter Revson and Skip Scott driving one of the Javelins to 12th overall and 5th in the O-class, a "remarkable" performance considering the program was initiated so quickly.
For the 1968 season, although the Javelins finished in third place, AMC established a record by being the only manufacturer's entry to finish every Trans-Am race entered.
The mainstream Ford line of cars grew substantially larger for 1957, a model which lasted through 1959. The Crown Victoria with its flashy chrome "basket handle" was no more, and the acrylic glass-roofed Crown Victoria Skyliner was replaced by a new model, the retracting-roof hardtop Skyliner. The new chassis allowed the floor to be placed much lower, which in turn led to a lower and longer look overall.
The 1957 models retained a single-headlight front end like their predecessors, but were unmistakable with their long flanks and tailfins. A plethora of trim lines was introduced, starting with the base "Custom", "Custom 300", "Fairlane", and top-line "Fairlane 500". The two Custom lines used a 116 in (2946 mm) wheelbase, while the Fairlanes had 118 in (2997 mm) between the wheels. A new car/pickup truck hybrid was also introduced, the Ranchero.
The 223 CID (3.7 L) OHV Straight-6 continued, now with 144 hp (107 kW). The V8 lineup included a 272 CID (4.5 L) Y-block making 190 hp (142 kW), a 292 CID (4.8 L) Thunderbird version making 212 hp (158 kW), a 312 cubic inch V8 making 245 HP and a supercharged 312 CID (5.1 L) Thunderbird Special making 300 hp. A dual 4 barrel version of the normally aspirated (non-supercharged) 312 cubic inch V8 rated at 270 HP (some sources report 285 HP) was reportedly available, although that engine option was not listed in most Ford sedan factory literature and is more commonly associated with one of the optional Thunderbird engines. This option was dubbed "E code" and featured a unique camshaft, cylinder heads, intake manifold and various other performance enhancements
Credit must be given to Ford Motor. It has been almost five years ago since the 2005 retro recreation of a modern Mustang. Ford has paved the way for the return of and giving life back to the pony car - muscle car, much to Ford's embarrassment from competition such as the Dodge Challenger and Chevy's Camaro. Ford could have easily stood by and done nothing to improve the 2010 model of Mustang. But, competition being an American tradition -- Ford has stepped up and launched a thoughtful upgrade in order to improve the areas that the Mustang (muscle car - pony car) needed to be competitive as the best Mustang yet.
Mustang's interior which had a resto look of had hard plastic panels that came together with numerous seams has been reworked. The instrument panel has been given a look that stretches from door to door and from the base of the windshield to the center console with thermoplastic olefin giving the dash and interior a soft feel and rich look. The twin cowl theme of the current car has been upgraded with more metallic trim and less plated plastic with fully rounded dials and an optional navigation system that has the latest version of the Ford/Microsoft Sync telematic system with a large eight-inch screen. It offers voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, iPod controls and several other features. My co,lor which allows you to change the hue of the instruments and ambient lighting is still an option. An interior lighting option includes illuminated doorsills that say Mustang.
Ford has given muscle car enthusiasts the exterior look like a hot rodder would do, cleaned up, shaved off and honed to give the Mustang help aerodynamically with a 7-percent efficiency gain reducing drag and front lift by 23 percent over the previous GT. The outside of the new model is plainly a face lift rather than an all new design with a closer resemblance to the 67-69 Mustang. The four light grille (the inner two are actually large fog lights) along with the kicked up rear fender lines come straight from the '69 stang. This look gives the new model a more muscular look.
The V-8 powered GT comes standard with 8 x 18 inch wheels and standard rubber is a Mustang-specific 235/50ZR Pirelli P Zero all-season tire. Ford offers a Track Pack option which includes 255/40ZR-19 Pirelli Zero summer tires, stiffer shocks, 17 percent stiffer rear springs, re-calibrated shocks, higher performance brake pads, a 3.73 axle ratio instead of a 3.31, rear trailing links with stiffer bushings, a strut brace and larger anti roll bars, all the changes are said to reduce body roll by about ten percent. Thanks to a cold air system based on that of the Bullitt Mustang power is up from 300 to 315 horsepower and torque grows slightly from 300 to 325 ft lbs, the redline is up from 6250 to 6500 rpm matching the Bullitt's as an acceptable muscle car. The Mustang GT transmissions are unchanged with a choice of a standard five-speed manual or an optional five speed automatic.
Posted 2/23/2009 @ 8:55:10 pm by igomusclecars.com
Chevrolet completely restyled the 1968 model of Nova SS muscle car from the previous year when the station wagon and Sport Coupe were discontinued. A notable change was the front sub-frame assembly in comparison with Chrysler, AMC and Ford whose cars the entire front suspension was integrated with their body shell. A separate sub-frame housing, the powertrain and front suspension replacing the earlier style of frame. This sub-frame concept was similar to the frame of GM's full framed, full size vehicles. Although this sub-frame design was exclusively designed for Chevy-II Nova, the 1967 Camaro muscle car was the first to incorporate this design; due to the production of the Chevy-II being held back a year to 1968 instead of 1967. Although 1968 models were "Chevy-II Novas" with one single line trim, it would be the last year the Chevy-II nameplate would be used.
1967 Nova SS Hardtop Coupe
The 152cid four cylinder was offered in 1968-1970, then was dropped due to lack of interest (although it was still used in the Jeep DJ-5A Postal Jeep). Replacing the four cylinder was the six cylinder 250cid and the base 307cid V8 which was a replacement for the 283cid V8 offered in previous years.
Around mid year a semi-automatic transmission based on the Powerglide called the Torque-Drive, a low cost option for shiftless motoring was introduced for both the four and six-cylinder engines. The desirable three-speed Turbo Hydramatic was only available with the larger V8 engines, while the two speed powerglide was still the only fully automatic transmission available with most engines.
The SS trim package was transformed to a performance option for 1968 that included a 295 hp 350cid V8 along with heavy duty suspension and other performance options. Front disc brakes were option on the 1968 Nova SS. Two versions of the big block 396cid were offered, one rated at 350 hp and another rated at 375 hp,both versions gave the Nova SS plenty of muscle. Both engines came with a choice of transmissions including the M-21 close ratio four-speed manual, the M-22 "Rock Crusher" four speed manual, or a three speed Turbo-Hydramatic 400 for those who preferred the automatic.
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