FEATURE – 1972 Rambler Javelin
Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: Collectable Classics
It’s a little-known part of Australia’s automotive manufacturing history, but in the 1960s and early ’70s, one of the great American ‘pony cars’ could be purchased new here, in RHD and with a factory warranty. While a handful of RHD-converted Mustangs had been released in 1967 to promote the then-new XR Falcon GT, the American Motors Javelin was the only pony car from this time to be assembled in Australia, using locally-sourced and produced content.
First released in the US in late 1967 as a 1968 model, the Javelin was American Motors Corporation’s (AMC) contender against the wildly-successful Mustang. That success had prompted GM to respond with the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird, while Plymouth was already in this market with their Barracuda fastback. Mercury would join the party with the Cougar before the arrival of the Javelin, while Dodge’s challenger – literally, the ‘Challenger’ - arrived for 1970.
AMC added a Javelin companion in the form of the AMX, which was essentially the same car from the A-pillar forward, but with a cut down wheelbase to make it a two-seater and only available with a V8.
Sharply-styled and with the requisite high-power engine options, the Javelin deserved to do better in the US market, but was always at the back of the pack. Sales dropped heavily after 1969, leading the AMX to be dropped. A restyle of the Javelin for 1971 didn’t reverse the downward trajectory, either. Admittedly, high insurance premiums for performance models and rising fuel prices meant all ponycar sales were in decline by this time, but AMC didn’t have volume sellers in other segments to offset poor sales in what was becoming a niche market. As such, the Javelin was dropped after the 1974 model year. Its loss was somewhat offset by the all-new ‘Matador X’ coupe, but that model was more about luxury than performance.
Across its first generation (1968-70), Javelin production totalled 125,347 units. The second generation (1971-74) reached just 111,488, with a peak of 30,902 achieved during 1973.
Of those totals, Australia accounted for a tiny percentage in the form of units locally assembled by Australian Motor Industries.
The Aussie Connection
Australian Motor Industries (AMI) was the evolution of an organisation that had started back in the 1920s as local distributors for the British Talbot marque. Distribution of Standard and Jaguar (then known as SS Cars) followed, then Triumph after World War II. A name change to ‘Standard Motor Products Ltd’ and a new assembly facility in Port Melbourne came in 1952, followed by the change to Australian Motor Industries in 1958.
Following a brief stint assembling Mercedes-Benz cars, Ramblers were added to AMI’s lines from 1961, but it would be the local assembly of Toyotas from 1963 that saved the company.
Of the AMC cars assembled here from CKD (Completely Knocked Down) packs sent from the US, the Ambassador and Classic were the first, then the Rebel (a renamed Classic) from 1967.
While AMC’s use of the Rambler name decreased through the 1960s and ended entirely after 1969, it remained on Australian-assembled cars, hence why Javelins were only sold here as Ramblers and not ‘American Motors’ or ‘AMC’. Same goes for the Matadors and Hornets that followed in the 1970s.
Small Start . . .
Despite being able to offer some degree of local content – tyres, lights, paint, batteries, seats and some other interior items – import duties on the AMI Ramblers were still high, so each model was pitched to the luxury end of the market to justify its price tag. This was a tough sell with the Javelin, which was almost double the price of a Falcon GT or Monaro GTS.
According to the Australian Javelin Register (www.australianjavelins.com), which is a great resource for these cars, only 90 Javelins were assembled by AMI in 1968, followed by 50 in 1969 and 70 in 1970. The last units lingered in showrooms until well into 1971, so AMI didn’t bother importing CKD packs of the new-look ’71 model at all and waited until late in 1972 to bring the ’72 model here.
The car featured is one of the handful of ’72 Javelins assembled in Australia.
. . . Smaller Finish
Period road tests of the 1972 Javelin report that just 48 models were assembled by AMI. And while one account states that 40 were released locally, with the remaining 8 going to New Zealand, other sources suggest all 48 went to Aussie buyers.
Most appear to have been assembled by AMI in December, 1972, and all were built to ‘SST’ (Stainless Steel Trim) spec. This was the entry level Javelin for the US in 1972, but elements from the AMX (now a trim level for the Javelin and not a separate model), were included on the Aussie market cars.
Most local units were equipped with AMC’s big 401ci V8, which dwarfed the 351 and 350 V8s offered by Ford and Holden, and a three-speed ‘Torque Command’ automatic transmission, which was a rebadged Chrysler Torqueflite auto. A tiny percentage of the ’72 Javelins assembled locally were fitted with the smaller 360 V8 and a four-speed manual.
A common feature was partial vinyl roof trim that followed “twin canopy” recesses and formed a ‘T’ shape when viewed from above. This was usually black, but some had white vinyl.
Styled sports wheels and an external luggage rack were also common; the latter making sense when you opened the boot to find the spare wheel occupied a large portion of the available space.
Big, Bad and Black
Paint options for Ramblers at this time were shared with the Toyotas and Triumphs that AMI were also assembling. In the case of the car featured, it’s finished in ‘Big Bad Orange’, which is a hue that was new for AMI in 1972, but had some AMC history.
Back in 1969, AMC offered Big Bad Green, Big Bad Blue and Big Bad Orange as a special option. Extending to the bumpers and complemented with some additional stainless steel exterior trim, these new colours were pitched at buyers of the Javelin and AMX, but technically could be ordered for any ’69 AMC car. All three colours returned for 1970, but without the painted bumpers and extra trim. While the colours were discontinued by AMC after 1970, there’s evidence to suggest some 1971 Jeep Renegades were painted Big Bad Orange.
For AMI's 1972 colour palette, Big Bad Orange was joined by Butterscotch (medium brown), Canary Yellow, Sienna (dark brown) and Skyscape (pale blue) as new colours, while eight carryover colours included Peak White and Signal Red.
Inside, the locally-produced seats were trimmed in black vinyl, but white vinyl was also available and appears to have been split more evenly than the engine/transmission allocation. The dash was modified from an RHD unit AMC had already produced for Ambassadors supplied to the US Postal Service. Compared to the wraparound dash fitted to ’71 and ’72 AMC Javelins for the North American market, the Aussie version was plainer, but had the same gauges, engine-turned fascia and similar switchgear.
Along with power steering (with five turns lock to lock!), a tilt steering column, full carpeting, air conditioning, a radio and 8-track player were fitted in the majority of AMI-assembled Javelins to justify the premium pricetag
SA to Sydney and Back
The 1972 Rambler Javelin featured has an interesting history. The twelfth unit of 48 built, it’s believed to be the car that was sent to NSW for magazine features in early 1973 and subsequently appeared at that year’s Sydney International Motor Show. The car had been ordered by the main Rambler dealer in Adelaide, which at that time was Dean Smoker. Car enthusiasts in South Australia will be familiar with the Smoker name, which is still part of the state’s motoring landscape to this day.
A bit over 20 years ago, Michael Finnis acquired the car. A name that’s just as familiar to the SA car community (as well as many JUST CARS readers), Finnis ran Collectable Classics in Strathalbyn for many years before handing the reins over to his son, Ben.
Michael had purchased the Javelin for his own collection, later adding it the Goolwa Motor Museum he established in 2010. Following the closure of the museum late last year, Ben has made the difficult decision to put this rare car on the market (see breakout).
Recent Revival
As offered, this Javelin has recently been returned to running condition, but two decades of static display means that professional recommissioning would be required for regular use. This would include things like refurbishing the brakes, replacing rubbers and seals, checking over the suspension and so on. Ben says the engine, which is the original 401 V8, runs well and the auto shifts smoothly. The gauges and all the electrics work, too.
Externally, this car presents in good condition, including the vinyl roof trim, with no repaint or retrim under Finnis’s ownership. The interior is showing its age more and would benefit from a comprehensive detailing first, then maybe some attention to the dash later.
While it does need some work, this car’s appeal lies in its looks and undeniable rarity. Privately imported US market units have added to the pool, but Javelins are still very rare cars in Australia.
Of the AMI-assembled 48 (or 40) Javelins from 1972, a little over half are known to exist today and this example would arguably be one of the most original.
The AMC/Rambler community in Australia is small but passionate, so don’t expect this car to be on the market for long.
For Sale
This 1972 Rambler Javelin is available from Collectable Classics in Strathalbyn, South Australia.
Delivered new to South Australia, but with a connection to the Sydney Motor Show and a magazine feature car when new, this Australian-assembled Javelin retains its original 401ci (6.6-litre) V8 and Torque Command three-speed auto. Listed mileage of 90,535km is believed to be genuine.
Returned to running condition after long term static display, further recommissioning would be required for regular use.
The asking price for this very rare car is $69,999.
See the advert HERE
For more details, contact Ben at Collectable Classics on 0411 744 190.
