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Car Of The Day: May 31, 2017; Johnny Lightning '72 AMC Javelin
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Topic Started: May 30 2017, 09:59 PM (330 Views)
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Swifty
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May 30 2017, 09:59 PM
Post #1
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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Today's Car Of The Day is Johnny Lightning's 1972 AMC Javelin.

- Wikipedia
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The AMC Javelin is an American front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, two-door hardtop manufactured and marketed by AMC in two generations, 1968–70 and 1971–74. Styled by Dick Teague, the Javelin was available in a range of trim and engine levels, from economical pony car to muscle car variants. In addition to manufacture in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Javelins were assembled under license in Germany, Mexico, Venezuela, as well as Australia – and were marketed globally.
As the winner of Trans-Am race series in 1971, 1972, and 1976, the second-generation AMX variant was the first pony car to be used as a standard vehicle for highway police car duties by an American law enforcement agency.

For more information and pictures of the real car, please visit: AMC Javelin

The second generation Javelin was offered by Matchbox, Johnny Lightning, and eventually Hot Wheels and GreenLight. GreenLight's is the best of the bunch, Hot Wheels is second best and the less said about this one and the Matchbox the better.

- Wikipedia
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The AMC Javelin was restyled for the 1971 model year. The "1980-looking Javelin" design was purposely made to give the sporty car "individuality," even at "the risk of scaring some people off."
The second generation became longer, lower, wider, and heavier than its predecessor. Wheelbase was increased by 1-inch (25 mm) to 110 in (2,794 mm). The indicated engine power outputs also changed from 1971 to 1972-74. Actual power output remained the same, but the U.S. automobile industry followed the SAE horsepower rating method that changed from "gross" in 1971 and prior years to "net" in 1972 and later years.
The new design incorporated an integral roof spoiler and sculpted fender bulges. The new body departed from the gentle, tucked-in look of the original.
The media noted the revised front fenders (originally designed to accommodate oversized racing tires) that "bulge up as well as out on this personal sporty car, borrowing lines from the much more expensive Corvette." The new design also featured an "intricate injection moulded grille."
The car's dashboard was asymmetrical, with "functional instrument gauges that wrap around you with cockpit efficiency". This driver-oriented design contrasted with the symmetrical interior of the economy-focused 1966 Hornet (Cavalier) prototype.
AMC offered a choice of engines and transmissions. Engines included a 232 cu in (3.8 L) I6 and a four-barrel 401 cu in (6.6 L) AMC V8 with high compression ratio, forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods engineered to withstand 8000 rpm. The BorgWarner T-10 four-speed manual transmission came with a Hurst floor shifter.
From 1971, the AMX was no longer available as a two-seater. It evolved into a premium high-performance edition of the Javelin.
The new Javelin-AMX incorporated several racing modifications and AMC advertised it as “the closest thing you can buy to a Trans-Am champion.” The car had a fiberglass full-width cowl induction hood, as well as spoilers front and rear for high-speed traction. Testing at the Ontario Motor Speedway by Penske Racing Team recorded that the 1971 Javelin AMX's rear spoiler added 100 lb (45.4 kg) of downforce. Mark Donohue also advised AMC to make the AMX's grille flush for improved airflow, thus the performance model received a stainless steel mesh screen over the standard Javelin's deep openings.
The performance-upgrade "Go Package" provided the choice of a 360 or 401 4-barrel engine, and included "Rally-Pac" instruments, a handling package for the suspension, “Twin-Grip” limited-slip differential, heavy-duty cooling, power-assisted disc brakes, white-letter E60x15 Goodyear Polyglas tires on 15x7-inch styled slotted steel wheels) used on the Rebel Machine, a T-stripe hood decal, and a blacked-out rear taillight panel.
The 3,244-pound (1,471 kg) 1971 Javelin AMX with a 401 cu in (6.6 L) V8 ran the quarter-mile in the mid-14 second range at 93 miles per hour (150 km/h) on low-lead, low-octane gas.
The 1972 model year Javelins featured a new "egg crate" front grille design with a similar pattern repeated on the chrome overlay over the full-width taillights. The AMX version continued with the flush grille. A total of 15 exterior colors were offered with optional side stripes.
To consolidate the product offering, reduce production costs, and offer more value to consumers, the 1972 AMC Javelins were equipped with more standard comfort and convenience items. Engine power ratings were downgraded to the more accurate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) net hp figures. Automatic transmissions were now the TorqueFlite units sourced from Chrysler, called "Torque-Command" by AMC.
American Motors achieved record sales in 1972 by focusing on quality and including an innovative warranty called the "Buyer Protection Plan" to back its products. This was the first time an automaker promised to repair anything wrong with the car (except for tires) for one year or 12,000 miles (19,000 km). Owners were provided with a toll-free telephone number to AMC, as well as a free loaner car if a repair to their car took more than a day.
By this time, the pony car market segment was declining in popularity. One commentator has said that “[d]espite the Javelin's “great lines and commendable road performance, it never quite matched the competition in the sales arena ... primarily because the small independent auto maker did not have the reputation and/or clout to compete with GM, Ford, and Chrysler.”

- Wikipedia
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The 1971 through 1974 AMX versions also command higher prices, according to several collector price guides. The 1973 Trans Am Victory edition also adds a premium in several classic car appraisal listings, but the distinguishing decal was readily available and it has been added to many Javelins over the years.
The book Keith Martin's Guide to Car Collecting describes the cars as providing "style, power, nostalgia, and fun by venturing off the beaten path ... these overlooked cars offer great value" and includes the 1971-1974 Javelins as one of "nine muscle car sleepers."
- Attached to this post:
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pjedsel
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May 30 2017, 10:37 PM
Post #2
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Muscle Car
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I was glad that JL did AMC cars but this was not one of the better ones they offered - the proportions are way off. Agreed the one from GL is very nice as it the Hot Wheels version
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Pegers
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May 30 2017, 10:49 PM
Post #3
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Pony Car
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nice gumball yellow paint job.
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426maxwedgie
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May 31 2017, 06:26 PM
Post #4
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Running in the 90's
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This is miles ahead of the Matchbox version though. This is from the Classic Plastic series, correct?
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juantoo3
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May 31 2017, 08:07 PM
Post #5
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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I suppose for the perfectionists this one will never meet the expectations, but it still has its charms. Considering when this issue came out the Matchbox was a distant memory, HW 100% was just getting going good and Greenlight had just launched. At about 30% of the cost of a 100% HW at full retail for both, this was an acceptable substitute for someone who just had to have an old Javelin.
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Swifty
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May 31 2017, 09:51 PM
Post #6
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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- 426maxwedgie
- May 31 2017, 06:26 PM
This is miles ahead of the Matchbox version though. This is from the Classic Plastic series, correct? I know your disdain of the Matchbox casting, but I still consider that superior to this effort. The proportions are way off on both cars, but the Matchbox at least looks less cartoonish.
And yes, this is from Classic Plastic:
http://jlcollector.net/cpr1.html
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426maxwedgie
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Jun 7 2017, 08:58 PM
Post #7
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Running in the 90's
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- Swifty
- May 31 2017, 09:51 PM
The proportions are way off on both cars, but the Matchbox at least looks less cartoonish. That's actually how I feel about the JL. The Matchbox looks way too cartoony IMO. The JL still looks like a Javelin to me, whereas the Matchbox just doesn't.
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