1968 AMC Javelin data, information, pictures, VIN ID, technical and performance info

The Javelin was AMC's entrance into the pony car arena, and while it never reached sales like the Ford Mustang, it did quite well for AMC. The Javelin was released on September 26, 1967 as a 1968 model. The suspension and driveline was taken from the Rambler American, but the rest of the car was new. AMC was banking on the Javelin and the new AMX to return AMC to a profitable level; sales and profit had been falling throughout the 1960's. They had the sales people go through some extra training, so they were knowledgeable about these new models when the buyers strolled into the showrooms. AMC was trying to get the younger crowd into the showroom; AMC still had the image of your ma and pa car company, or even your grandparents. The Javelin and AMX would be AMC’s first true pony car and sports car, respectively.

AMC targeted the Mustang,  Camaro, and Barracuda in their advertising, claiming that the Javelin was sleeker, had more leg room, and was cheaper. They even had two page ads featuring a red Mustang with a black top, and a similar colored Javelin next to the Mustang, comparing the two pony cars. The Javelin also was offered with AMC’s new five year, 50,000 mile warranty. The advertising and new warranty worked, getting younger buyers into the showrooms, and propelling AMC back into the black, after losing $76 million in 1967.

SST Package
The SST was a trim package, standing for ‘Super Sport Touring’. The color brochures jokingly stated it stood for ‘Super Sonic Transport’. For $105 more, this package gave you knitted vinyl reclining bucket seats, an imitation wood grain steering wheel, , “V” insets on the door panels, other SST emblems, and a wide rally stripe, which replaced the thin double pinstripes.

Go Package
The Javelin Go package was the performance package, and both the go package and SST package could be teamed together to create a brutally beautiful racing machine. The Go package cost $265.50, and included a 343 V8 engine with 280 horsepower, dual exhaust, power front disc brakes, 14” wide profile redline tires, a front sway bar, heavy duty springs and shocks, and wide rally stripes on the side.

Rally Pak
The Rally Pak was a dealer installed package, which included an oil/amp gauge and a clock, mounted above the radio. This set had a hooded cover piece painted to match the dash

AMX Engine
Until January, 1968 the biggest engine available was the 343 V8. In February, 1968 when the AMX was released with the 390 V8, this engine became available on the Javelin, as well as the Rebel and Ambassador. You could team the 390 V8 with the Go Package, for a truly fine street racing specimen.

Sales
Javelin sales topped 56,000 for the first model year. This was good, but AMC was hoping for more, but with all the advertising and image changing they tried, it was hard to shake their perceived image.

Custom Javelin’s
There were a few different custom made models and after market kits created for the 1968 Javelin. These were not big sellers, due to the high prices of the packages and the fact that most buyers of these vehicles were younger, with less disposable income.

Pauls’s House of Kustoms
Pauls’s House of Kustoms in Chicago created an after market package for the Javelin, which AMC used on the new car introduction show circuit. This included hidden headlights, a tangerine color paint job, and Cragar Super Sport chrome mag wheels. Other than the car circuit models, no other models are known to have been produced.

Droke Brothers XP Package
This $550 package was sold through dealers or through their own company, DLR Engineering in Downey. They built a fiberglass hood (which would be similar to the hood used on the 1969 Javelin Go Package), which inverted the twin indentations on the hood to twin air scoops. A new spoiler was added, along with Cragar S/S wheels, and a new steering wheel. An XP logo was also included, and you were supposed to replace the stock Javelin grill with a 1968 AMX grill, bought from an AMC dealer.

Bonanza Package
This package could be ordered through any AMC dealership, or from George Barris company itself. Gearge Barris is a car customizer based in southern California. He was invited by AMC to create a custom package, which included a tube grille and Shelby Mustang look-a-like scoops in front of the rear wheel well. Twin air scoops were on the hood, and a spoiler similar to the XP Package was attached to the trunk lid. You can visit Barris’s business website at http://www.barris.com .

1968 AMC Javelin Engine Types, Specifications, and performance data

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