Rare Sighting: A Stunning 1973 Javelin AMX Shocks at Detroit Metro
Michigan truly transforms in August, becoming a haven for car enthusiasts. The entire month buzzes with automotive energy, hosting renowned events like the Woodward Dream Cruise near Detroit and Back To The Bricks in Flint. During this time, cool, vintage American cars often appear in the most unexpected locations – like the north cell phone lot at Detroit Metro Airport. While awaiting a flight from Chicago, rounding a corner to park, my heart nearly leaped. There it was: a stunning Pewter Silver 1973 Javelin Amx, parked unobstructed in the front row. Spotting Javelins, both first and second generation, has become increasingly rare over the years in places I’ve lived, like southwest Florida and Chicago. I could likely count on one hand the number I’ve seen, running or not, in the past five years.
A front three-quarter view of a Pewter Silver 1973 Javelin AMX parked in an airport lot.
An Unexpected Encounter with a Classic
I quickly parked my rental Hyundai Elantra and began photographing the Javelin from every conceivable angle. The owner was occupied on his phone, so I figured capturing the images quietly first and seeking forgiveness later was the best approach. Afterwards, I approached the open passenger-side window – admiring its sleek fastback and hardtop design, a style shared only by Ford’s Mustang Sportsroof among domestic sporty cars in ’73. I offered my sincerest apologies for the rather obnoxious paparazzo behavior, explaining that the second-generation AMC Javelin was a significant teenage dream car for me. He seemed receptive to this car-struck stranger. Mentioning my contribution to a blog called “Curbside Classic,” he graciously got out and gave me a full tour. A genuinely nice guy.
Rear three-quarter view of the classic 1973 AMC Javelin AMX, highlighting its fastback hardtop design.
Unmasking the 1973 Javelin AMX
I correctly identified the model year based on its quad taillamp pods and the absence of the black, rubber bumper guards found on later models. He confirmed he was the third owner, having acquired this classic car in 2009. It’s remarkable to think of a 36-year-old vehicle at that time having only two previous owners and remaining all-original. This particular AMX roared to life thanks to AMC’s potent 4-barrel 360 cubic-inch V8 engine. The owner noted its surprising quickness off the line, attributing it to the car’s relatively light weight compared to modern vehicles, and praised the engine’s abundant torque.
Close-up side profile of the 1973 Javelin AMX showcasing its distinctive fender flares and roofline.
Performance in Perspective
Research suggests this specific 1973 Javelin Amx, equipped with the 3-speed Torque-Command automatic transmission (sourced from Chrysler as the TorqueFlite), could achieve a 0-60 mph time of around 7.4 seconds. Comparing this to contemporary competitors with similar powertrain configurations (4-barrel V8s with 3-speed automatics), it held its own. A Ford Mustang with a 351 V8 reportedly clocked in at 7.0 seconds, while a Dodge Challenger Rallye with a 340 V8 matched the Javelin at 7.4 seconds. (While 1973 Chevrolet Camaro figures were reviewed, the commonly cited upper-8 second 0-60 times for a 350-4 V8/3-speed auto combination seemed potentially inaccurate given the fierce competition in the pony car segment at the time.) Though figures can vary by source, the takeaway is clear: American Motors wasn’t cutting corners with the Javelin; its performance was right in line with its key rivals.
The author posing with the 1973 AMC Javelin AMX, illustrating the personal connection to the classic pony car.
Experiencing the Javelin V2.0
The more the owner and I discussed his car, the friendlier and more enthusiastic he became, his initial reserve gradually fading. Forgive the slight incompleteness of my reportage on every specific detail; the excitement felt akin to getting a favorite celebrity’s autograph, compounded by needing to keep an eye on the clock for an arriving flight. The only other time I’d glimpsed the interior of a second-gen Javelin was back in the summer of 1989 at a Flint car show (yes, that’s a much younger me behind the wheel in the photo). My teenage self was ecstatic when that owner allowed me to sit in the driver’s seat. AMC enthusiasts often seem to be exceptionally friendly people, perhaps stemming from their shared appreciation for the products of America’s perennial underdog automaker. A little appreciation for an AMC appears to resonate deeply.
Interior view focusing on the 1973 Javelin AMX dashboard featuring the engine-turned panel and sporty gauges.
What I wish I could have truly captured were the smell and sound of this machine. A brief inhale of the black vinyl interior was intoxicating, momentarily scrambling my thoughts and questions for the owner. (Let’s be honest, if you’re reading this, you’ve likely experienced similar car-induced giddiness.) The curved, engine-turned dashboard panel struck a perfect balance between sporty, industrial, and sculptural aesthetics. Later, as the Javelin rumbled past my rental car at the arrivals curb, the low, gravelly tone of that 360 V8 was throaty and primal – a commanding sound I wish my own voice possessed.
Close-up of the AMC 360 V8 engine inside the 1973 Javelin AMX engine bay.
Design Analysis: More Than Just Muscle
While I admire the smooth, flowing lines of the first-generation Javelin, the 1971 restyle holds a special appeal from most angles – particularly the ’71 SST with its distinctive dual side-stripes and unique vinyl roof option. The redesign felt like the affable hometown athlete from Kenosha, Wisconsin, hit the weights, bulked up significantly overnight, yet remained fundamentally recognizable. (If only gym visits yielded such rapid and dramatic results as the Javelin’s ’71 transformation!)
Front view detailing the grille, headlights, and sculpted hood of the 1973 AMC Javelin AMX.
I mentioned liking the redesign from most angles. The least flattering perspective, in my opinion, is the rear-quarter panel viewed from a front three-quarter angle. The rear tires seem somewhat lost within the expansive space beneath those prominent fender blisters. These haunches can appear slightly overdeveloped, although the rest of the car maintains aggressive and well-proportioned lines. I particularly appreciate the subtle lip spoiler integrated into the roof’s trailing edge.
Detailed shot of the 1973 Javelin AMX rear quarter panel, emphasizing the controversial fender blister design.
Contrary to frequent suggestions that AMC aimed for a Corvette look with the fender blisters, I find that assertion dubious given the vastly different overall proportions of the two cars. I’ve always interpreted the fender bulges more literally – as if designer Dick Teague instructed his team, “Let’s give our muscle/pony car actual ‘muscles’.” While many Javelins were indeed equipped with six-cylinder engines (available in 232 or 258 cubic-inch displacements), even the base Javelin of this generation avoids looking as starkly low-rent as stripped-down versions of some competitors, like the Mustang. It wears those humped fenders confidently, regardless of the powerplant beneath the hood.
Holding Its Own: The Javelin in the Market
“Heroic” is a word that springs to mind when considering the second-generation Javelin. Judging by sales figures, even within the shrinking pony car market of the early 70s, the 1973 Javelin should be viewed as a success. AMC sold approximately 30,900 units (including 5,700 AMX models like the one featured) for the model year. This compares favorably to the 32,600 Dodge Challengers sold (a difference of less than 6%) and significantly outsold the 22,200 Plymouth Barracudas (a ratio of nearly 4:3). While not reaching GM or Ford volumes, the Javelin clearly connected with its target audience, representing almost 8% of AMC’s total production of 392,000 vehicles for 1973.
Top-down view of the powerful AMC 360 engine in the 1973 Javelin AMX.
For context, the ’73 Chevrolet Camaro’s impressive 96,800 units accounted for only 4% of Chevrolet’s massive 2,579,500 vehicle production that year. It’s also noteworthy that the ’73 Mercury Cougar (in its final year nominally considered a pony car) only outsold the Javelin by a 2:1 margin, despite Mercury’s much larger overall brand volume. Even AMC’s own redesigned-for-’74 Matador coupe, intended for a broader market than the specialty Javelin, only surpassed 30,000 units in its debut year (out of a five-year production run).
Conclusion
In summary, the second-generation AMC Javelin continues to resonate with me in a way few cars have since my teenage years. This particular 1973 Javelin AMX encounter was a highlight – a joy to photograph, research, and write about, fueled by an enduring admiration for these rolling sculptures from southeast Wisconsin. In my view, it remains one of the most compelling pony cars of its era, blending a distinct visual, blue-collar machismo with an inherent underdog charm that solidifies its place as a truly captivating classic.
All photographs of the silver Javelin were taken by the author in Romulus, Michigan, on Thursday, August 13, 2015.
Related Reading
- Car Show Classic: 1974 AMC Javelin
- AMC Javelin: Some Like It For What It Can Be And Others Would Just Like To Find One
- Car Show Classic: 1972 AMC Javelin Pierre Cardin – No, Really…
- CC Outtake: 1st Generation Javelin Found
