1971 · AMC · United States
1971 Javelin AMX: the badge moves to a four-seat platform
The AMX name moves onto the redesigned Javelin as its top model. It is a derivative badge, not a continuation of the two-seater. 2,054 were built, all with the 360 or 401.
United States · researched through 2026-09-22
For 1971 AMC dropped the two-seat AMX entirely and moved the name onto the top model of the redesigned, four-seat Javelin, body 7179-8, a car this record's own dek describes as carrying a derivative badge rather than continuing the two-seater's own separate model line. AMC's 1971 literature advertised Javelin AMX Go Package combinations built around the 360 or 401 V8 paired with a four-speed manual, and this record's own overview states plainly that the two-seat AMX simply ended, leaving the badge to carry forward on an entirely different platform rather than on a successor to the original car.1
Production is put at 2,054 for the year by three separate enthusiast and press sources, Planet Houston AMX, JavelinAMX.com and Old Cars Weekly, all agreeing on the same total, with the enthusiast production table further splitting that figure by engine: 1,309 cars with the 360 and 745 with the 401, with no six-cylinder or 304 V8 examples recorded at all. This record's own production note states that these engine rows fully partition the 2,054 total, and that the same split also appears independently on AMC's own tally sheet for the model year, so the typed enthusiast table and the factory sheet are treated as one lineage rather than as two separately corroborating counts, since one appears to have been transcribed from the other.1,2,3
The Javelin AMX carried a factory price of $3,432 and a shipping weight of 3,244 lb, both figures drawn from the same production table as the count above. The Go Package itself cost $410 with the 360 or $499 with the 401, and this record's own key facts describe its contents as Rally Pak gauges, E60x15 raised-white-letter tires, a handling package and, specifically on the AMX, a fiberglass cowl-induction hood, with functional cowl induction itself recorded as a separate option rather than a Go Package inclusion. Neither the VIN nor the door tag identifies a Go Package car, so this record notes that original paperwork is required to confirm one beyond the sixth VIN digit's plain '8' for any 1971 AMX.1,4
Three engine and rating combinations are documented for the year: a 245-hp, 365-lb-ft 360 with a two-barrel carburetor as the plain standard offering, a 285-hp, 390-lb-ft 360 four-barrel available specifically through the Go Package, and a 330-hp, 401-cu-in four-barrel V8 also tied to the Go Package and matched in this record's own engine entry to the 745-car 401 production figure above. All three ratings are recorded as period factory-advertised gross figures rather than the net standard AMC would adopt the following year, a distinction this record's own engine entries state directly rather than leaving the ratings' basis unstated.
A four-speed manual and a Borg-Warner automatic are documented as optional transmissions, with a three-speed manual on the floor standard specifically on the 360-equipped AMX. The options list for the year is extensive, running from nylon corduroy and genuine leather upholstery through a V-8 Rally-Pac instrument package, power steering and brakes, three separate radio choices, air conditioning, and a full heavy-duty and trailer-towing equipment slate, yet this record's own paint section is entirely empty for 1971 despite that depth of options and interior detail, meaning no exterior color list has yet been found for the Javelin AMX's first year on the new body, a documented gap rather than an assumption that the car simply had none.
Specification detail beyond weight and price includes a 110-inch wheelbase, 191.8-inch overall length, 75.2-inch width, a 16-gallon fuel tank, 10-inch V-8 brakes, and standard E70x14 white-letter tires on the AMX specifically, alongside a detailed table of standard and optional axle ratios tied to each engine and transmission combination. All 1971 through 1974 AMXs share the same sixth-VIN-digit '8' identifier, with the door-tag model number 7179-8 specific to this model year alone.1
Fact sheet · 1971 · United States
The numbers
1971 AMC Javelin AMX — The AMX name moves onto the redesigned Javelin as its top model. It is a derivative badge, not a continuation of the two-seater. 2,054 were built, all with the 360 or 401.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-22.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
- 1971 AMX production 2,054: 360 V8 1,309, 401 V8 745.1
- Factory price $3,432; shipping weight 3,244 lb.1,3
- The 1971–74 Go Package cost $410 with the 360 or $499 with the 401 and included the Rally Pak gauges, E60x15 raised-white-letter tires, handling package and, on the AMX, a fiberglass cowl-induction hood.4
- A 1971–74 AMX carries '8' in the sixth VIN position.1
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Javelin AMX (body 7179-8)1,2,3 AMX · 2-door hardtop · US production One enthusiast lineage plus an unsourced press repeat. | 2,054 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 360 V81 AMX · 2-door hardtop · 360 V8 · US | 1,309 | built, model-year | Reported |
| 401 V81 AMX · 2-door hardtop · 401 V8 · US | 745 | built, model-year | Reported |
The engine rows partition the 2,054 total in the source (232 = 0, 258 = 0, 304 = 0).
The 2,054 total also appears in the AMC tally sheet (1971 sheet, row 7179-8, Kenosha): 360 = 1,309, 401 = 745. The typed table appears to be transcribed from that sheet, so they are one lineage.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Javelin AMX1,3 | $3,432 | 'factory price' as tabulated (basis not stated), 1970-09 |
| Go Package with 3604 | $410 | option price as reported, 1971–74 |
| Go Package with 4014 | $499 | option price as reported, 1971–74 |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 360 V8 2-bbl3 360 cu in · 2-barrel | 245 hp @ 4,400, 365 lb-ft @ 2,600 (period factory advertised (gross)) | standard | Not yet sourced |
| 360 V8 4-bbl (Go Package) 360 cu in · 4-barrel | 285 hp @ 4,800, 390 lb-ft @ 3,200 (period advertised factory (gross)) | Go Package | Not yet sourced |
| 401 V8 4-bbl (Go Package) 401 cu in · 4-barrel | 330 hp @ 5,000, 430 lb-ft @ 3,400 (period advertised factory (gross)) | Go Package | 7451 Reported |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| Four-speed manual | optional | Not yet sourced |
| Borg-Warner automatic3 | optional | Not yet sourced |
| Three-speed manual, floor shift (standard on AMX with 360) | standard | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Go Package: 360 or 401 four-barrel, Rally Pak gauges, dual exhaust, 15x7 Rally wheels, E60x15 Polyglas raised-white-letter tires, handling package, fiberglass cowl-induction hood (AMX), heavy-duty cooling, space-saver spare, hood T-stripe (AMX), tail-panel blackout (AMX), Twin-Grip. Functional cowl induction was a separate option.4 | $410 | Not yet sourced |
|
Nylon corduroy upholstery (SST and AMX) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Genuine leather front seats (SST and AMX) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Vinyl-covered roof: black, white, green or blue | — | Not yet sourced |
|
V-8 Rally-Pac: oil pressure gauge, ammeter, tachometer, clock, 140-mph speedometer | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Twin-Grip differential (required with 3.91 axle) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Quick-ratio manual steering | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Front lower spoiler (rear spoiler standard on AMX) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Dual exhaust for 360 4-barrel (standard on 401) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Power steering | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Power brakes | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Power front disc brakes (V-8) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Manual front disc brakes (V-8) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
AM push-button radio | — | Not yet sourced |
|
AM/FM multiplex stereo radio and 2 rear speakers | — | Not yet sourced |
|
8-track stereo tape player with manual AM radio and 2 rear speakers | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Air conditioning (with heavy-duty cooling and 55-amp alternator) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted glass, all windows or windshield only | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Adjust-O-Tilt steering wheel | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Visibility group: convenience group plus electric wipers and washers | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Headlights-off delay system | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Electric rear window defogger (with 55-amp alternator and tinted rear glass) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Bumper guards, front and rear | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Handling package, V-8 (heavy-duty springs and shocks) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Trailer towing package No. 1 (up to 2,000 lb) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
70-amp battery (60-amp standard on 360 and 401) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Cold-start package | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Engine block heater | — | Not yet sourced |
|
NITROX-TCS emission system (required in California) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
E60 x 15 black tires with white letters | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Standard on AMX: console, electric clock, insulation group, space-saver spare, E70 x 14 white-letter tires on 14 x 6 slot-style wheels, right-side mirror, rear spoiler | — | Not yet sourced |
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
61 |
Black; trims S (Wellington vinyl), L (leather, black or red only) or R (corduroy)1 | Not yet sourced |
63 |
Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
64 |
Green1 | Not yet sourced |
65 |
Red1 | Not yet sourced |
068 |
White1 | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping weight1 | 3,244 lb | body 7179-8 |
| Wheelbase | 110 in | all 1971 Javelins |
| Overall length | 191.8 in | all 1971 Javelins |
| Overall width | 75.2 in | all 1971 Javelins |
| Tread, front / rear (V-8) | 59.7 / 60.0 in | V-8 Javelins |
| Fuel tank capacity | 16 US gal | all 1971 Javelins |
| Brake diameter (V-8) | 10 in | V-8 Javelins |
| Standard tires, AMX | E70 x 14 black with white letters | Javelin AMX |
| Axle ratios, AMX (standard; optional) | 360 2-bbl: 3-speed floor 3.15 (3.54), console automatic 2.87 (3.15); 360 4-bbl: 3-speed 3.15 (3.54), 4-speed 3.54 (3.15, 3.91), automatic 2.87 (3.15); 401: 4-speed 3.54 (3.15, 3.91), automatic 2.87 (3.15, 3.54); with Go Package and automatic 360 3.15 std (2.87 opt), 401 3.15 std (2.87, 3.54 opt) :1 | Javelin AMX |
Identification
- VIN / door tag
- All 1971–74 AMXs have '8' in the sixth VIN digit. The door-tag model number is 7179-8.1
- Go Package
- Neither the VIN nor the door tag indicates the Go Package. Original paperwork is required.4
Same model year
Also in 1971
- AMC Hornet SC/360 AMC's one-year compact muscle car pitched as an insurance-friendly alternative. AMC reportedly planned 10,000, but 784 were built.
- AMC Javelin A new, flared-fender Javelin, with the AMX name as its top model. Javelin won AMC the 1971 Trans-Am manufacturers' championship.
- AMC Matador Machine The Rebel Machine's unadvertised successor, a 'Machine Go' option package for the Matador hardtop. Production is unknown; published guesses run from 43 to 68.
- Buick Riviera The boattail Riviera: 455 rated 315 gross / 255 net, GS 330 / 265; 3,175 of 33,810 were GS.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX Compression fell to 8.5:1, the GS 350 and GS 455 were merged into one GS series of 9,170 cars, and the GSX became an appearance package on any GS.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS A single RPO Z15 SS package now spanned small- and big-block V8s; 9,502 of 19,293 SS cars carried the LS5 454, and Chevrolet began printing net ratings beside gross.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova SS limited to the L48 350 per the source; Rally Nova (RPO YF1) offered. Enthusiast-compiled production: 194,878 cars; Super Sport 7,015.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS A single RPO Z15 SS package on the Malibu/Custom El Camino; the El Camino share of 19,293 SS cars is not separately published.
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS The last SS 454 year: RPO Z20 on 1,919 of 128,600 Monte Carlos.
- Dodge Challenger Challenger's second year lost the SE, the R/T convertible, and the T/A; a new pillared coupe joined the hardtop and convertible, and production fell to roughly a third of 1970's.
- Dodge Charger A new, shorter third-generation body absorbed the Coronet two-doors and the Super Bee; it was the last year for the R/T and for a factory Hemi Charger.
- Dodge Coronet R/T and Super Bee The end of the line for Coronet performance: the two-door Coronets were replaced by the Charger, taking the Super Bee with them.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon Dodge's version of the Duster fastback arrived as the Demon, and the Demon 340 became the performance Dart: 10,098 built, plus 85 Canadian Swinger 340 Specials.
- Ford Maverick Grabber The Grabber became its own model with a dual-scoop hood, and the 210 hp 302 V8 arrived; Classic Industries counts 38,963 Grabbers.
- Ford Ranchero GT The second Torino-based Ranchero year; reference counts give 3,632 GTs, while Barn Finds rounds the GT figure to about 3,900 of 24,946 Rancheros.
- Ford Thunderbird The last fifth-generation year kept the 360-hp 429 as standard; production fell to 36,055.
- Ford Torino A carryover year for the 1970 body; the Torino Cobra now came standard with a 351 four-barrel and offered the 429 Cobra Jet-R, but only 3,054 Cobras were built.
- Mercury Comet and Cyclone The final Cyclone year: production fell to a few thousand across Cyclone, Cyclone GT and Cyclone Spoiler.
- Mercury Cougar A larger second-generation Cougar, new body codes, and the one-year 429 Cobra Jet option, fitted to 448 cars.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds Compression fell to 8.5:1 for regular fuel, the W-31 was dropped, the sports coupe was gone, and 4-4-2 production fell to 7,589.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda Four headlamps and a new grille marked the second E-body year; the Hemi and 440 Six Barrel stayed on the 'Cuda order form, but Barracuda-line production fell to about a third of 1970's.
- Plymouth Duster 340 and 360 The Duster 340's second year brought a new grille, a Thermo-Quad 340 rated 275 gross and 235 net hp, and a $2,703 list price, while output fell to about 12,900.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite On the redesigned 1971 Satellite body the GTX fell to 2,942 cars, only 30 of them with the Hemi.
- Plymouth Road Runner Redesigned on the new Satellite body as a hardtop only, the Road Runner fell to 14,218 cars, and a 340 joined the 383, 440, and Hemi.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am The 455 HO year: the Trans Am's biggest engine, 2,116 cars, and a Formula line split across three V-8s.
- Pontiac GTO Lower compression, dual gross and net ratings, the 455 HO as the top engine, and production down to 10,532.
- Pontiac Grand Prix Boat-tail styling, lower compression, and the manual transmission gone by March: 116 of 58,325 had one.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The Tempest name gives way to T-37; the GT-37 option carries on and the 455 HO is available in two-door LeMans models.