A Rare Racing Beast: The AMC Javelin

SYDNEY – Feb 1, 2012: Considering it was conceived in the 1960s to take the fight up to the established Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro ‘Pony Cars’, American Motor Corporation’s Javelin is rarely seen today on circuits or dragstrips.

In fact Jim Richards’ new Shannons Javelin will be the only one of its type competing in Australia when it makes its circuit debut at Adelaide’s ‘Clipsal’ on March 4.

“That was a big part of its attraction,” explained the four time Australian Touring Car and seven-time Bathurst champion.

“I’m a motoring enthusiast and I knew it would interest others.”

Javelins were built as pillarless two-door hardtops by the American Motor Corporation between 1967 and 1974 in two main generations – model years 1968-1970 and 1971-1974.

The second-generation AMX version was the first pony car to be used as a normal highway patrol police car by any U.S. organisation.

The Javelin competed successfully from 1967, with Mark Donohue chalking up 20 race victories in the cars between 1967 and 1970 and three unofficial drivers' championships, the third achieved in 1971.

Penske Racing took over the AMC Javelin racing program with the second-generation cars in 1970 and with Donohue as lead driver won back-to-back Trans-Am titles for AMC in 1971 and 1972.

It was the success of these first-generation Javelins that inspired Jim Richards to source and develop his 1972 second-series Javelin for the Touring Car Masters series.

Australian Motor Industries (AMI) assembled right hand drive versions of both the first- and second-generation Javelin models under the Rambler nameplate in Victoria, Australia from CKD kits, with the right hand drive dash, interior and soft trim, as well as other components made locally. The cars were marketed under the historic Rambler name.

The AMI Rambler Javelins were the only American ‘muscle cars’ of that era to be sold new in Australia. They were more expensive, had more power, and provided more luxury than the Holden Monaro of their era.

The Australian cars came with luxury trim and were powered by a 343-ci (5.6-litre) 210 kW V8 engine, driving through a three-speed Shift Command automatic transmission, and Twin Grip limited-slip differential.

Jim Richards’ Shannons Javelin is stripped for racing and runs a 360-ci AMC V8 producing in excess of 450kW.