Norbert's Javelin SST

American Motors Corporation was oftened referred to as the 'little guy' or the 'fourth car company' following in the shadow of the Big Three -GM, Ford, and Chrysler, which are not so big anymore either. Originally formed in 1954 in the Nash/Hudson merger, AMC was absorbed by Chrysler Corporation in 1987 after a dynamic 33 year life. It was the last of the so called "independents" and produced some noteworthy and innovative vehicles along the way. My late father, Stuart Vance, was Manager of Body Engineering at AMC, Plymouth Road, during his tenure from 1964 until retirement in 1980. His work lives on in virtually every AMC of that time, especially the convertable roof design of the mid to late-sixties models. My older brother, Tom Vance, also worked for a time in AMC's Styling Department (1967-71) and owned a gold 1968 AMX (Number 2400- is it still out there anyone?? Pictures of that AMX c.1968 #1, #2 ). And my younger brother, Barret, who doubles as an expert in WWII aircraft engines, also owns an AMC- a lovely 1964 Rambler Classic (sweet pictures of his Classic!... #1, #2, #3, #4 ) that has been seen in many a regional AMC meet.

I was one lucky teen in the early 1970's because each week Dad would bring home a different new engineering fleet car and each year lease a new company car (see bottom of page). I had the privaledge of driving literally a hundred or more AMC cars, from Gremlins and Pacers to Ambassadors and AMX's. The occasional experimental vehicle would spice things up, too- the 1971 Michigan International Speedway 401 AMX Pace Car, a 1974 Ambassador police car, trial decals or equipment on this car or that. What wonderful memories- thanks Dad!! ( Images of some of these vehicles will appear here soon per an article in the May/June 2005 issue of "American Motoring" magazine, an AMO publication.) My favorites, of course, were the muscle cars, the Javelins and Javelin AMX's of 1971-74 vintage. One could always tell when he was home when the deep rumble of a 401 4-barrel was heard as he pulled up in front of the house. Strangely enough, I never owned a Javelin... until now. In December 2004 I finally purchased a 1973 Javelin SST from Midwest Muscle Cars in Jonesville, Michigan. It's a bright yellow that you can't miss coming down the road on the occasional weekend, and sports the venerable AMC 304 V8- 4bbl 727 automatic with dual exhaust, all in fine condition. Sure, it needs some TLC especially given it's age, but I look forward to tweeking it back to near stock condition- it's already sporting new tail lights, NOS correct mirrors, medalions, suspension, engine work, and so forth since I've owned it. OK, so the T-stripe and hood are not 'AMX legal' and the 304 V8 was not traditionally given a 4-barrel carb, but who wants to change that? It looks great and sounds as cool as the bigger, typical 360 or 401cid 4-barrel powerplants! Here she is....