1972 · AMC · United States
1972 Javelin AMX: SAE net ratings and the Pierre Cardin interior
The first year of SAE net ratings and Chrysler-built TorqueFlite automatics. Javelin AMX production rose to 3,220, and the 304 V8 became available.
United States · researched through 2026-09-22
The Javelin AMX, body 7279-8, continued as the top Javelin model for 1972, with the enthusiast production table giving 3,220 cars for the year: 565 with the 304, 1,830 with the 360 and 825 with the 401, a total JavelinAMX.com's own separate production figure confirms. This record's own overview describes two mechanical changes for the year: AMC replaced the previous Borg-Warner automatic transmissions with Chrysler-built Torque-Command units, and engine output began being quoted in SAE net rather than gross terms. The Pierre Cardin interior option, offered on both Javelin and AMX, was introduced this same year.1,2,3
Production is recorded in this record's own notes as resting on one lineage: the 3,220 total and its 304/360/401 split both partition cleanly with no six-cylinder or unaccounted cars, and the same figures reappear independently on AMC's own 1972 tally sheet for body 7279-8, Kenosha, so the typed enthusiast table is treated as a transcription of that factory sheet rather than as an independently corroborating source. A further, much smaller figure is logged separately: Planet Houston AMX reports that approximately 12 AMXs left Kenosha finished in Midnight Black for 1972, a number this record's own production row carries explicitly as estimated, since the method behind that approximate count is not given anywhere in the source.1
A second, larger figure carries its own attribution conflict: Pierre Cardin Javelins and AMXs combined are reported at 4,152 cars, but this record's own conflicts section shows two sources disagreeing on which years that total spans, Planet Houston AMX attributing it to the full 1972 through 1974 run while JavelinAMX.com's production totals instead tie the same 4,152 figure to 1972 and 1973 only. This record keeps the figure with both spans attributed rather than assigning it to a single year or narrowing it to the AMX alone, since neither source's own production tables break the combined total out by individual year or by Javelin versus AMX body style.1,2
Three engines are documented, each carrying the new SAE net ratings basis: a 150-hp, 245-lb-ft 304 two-barrel standard on the AMX; a 360 offered in three distinct forms ranging from 175 hp on a single-exhaust two-barrel up to 220 hp on the dual-exhaust four-barrel version optional and included in the Go Package on AMX; and a 255-hp, 345-lb-ft 401 four-barrel. Two Torque-Command automatic codes are recorded, A727 for the 360 and 401 and the smaller A998 for the 304, both listed as optional rather than standard equipment for any AMX engine.2
The Pierre Cardin interior package is recorded at $84.95 as attributed by Wikipedia, offered only with five specific exterior colors, Trans Am Red, Snow White, Stardust Silver, Diamond Blue and Wild Plum, and it went on sale March 1, 1972 rather than at the model year's start. Beyond that headline option, this record documents a long options list running from bucket seats and vinyl roof choices through a Visibility Group, a Light Group, quick-ratio manual steering, and a full heavy-duty and trailer-towing slate, alongside seventeen separate exterior paint codes for the model year and six interior color codes including the Pierre Cardin-specific 'W' trim.3
Specification detail includes a 3,149-lb shipping weight for the AMX body, a fuel specification calling for 91-octane or higher regular, low-lead or no-lead gasoline across all 1972 AMC engines, and a detailed axle-ratio table cross-referencing each of the three engines with their available Torque-Command and four-speed combinations. The sixth VIN digit '8' and door-tag model number 7279-8 identify a 1972 AMX, with a Pierre Cardin-equipped example additionally showing 'W' on its trim tag.1
Fact sheet · 1972 · United States
The numbers
1972 AMC Javelin AMX — The first year of SAE net ratings and Chrysler-built TorqueFlite automatics. Javelin AMX production rose to 3,220, and the 304 V8 became available.
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
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Javelin AMX (body 7279-8)1,2 AMX · 2-door hardtop · US production | 3,220 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 304 V81 AMX · 2-door hardtop · 304 V8 · US | 565 | built, model-year | Reported |
| 360 V81 AMX · 2-door hardtop · 360 V8 · US | 1,830 | built, model-year | Reported |
| 401 V81 AMX · 2-door hardtop · 401 V8 · US | 825 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midnight Black paint1 AMX · 2-door hardtop · US Stated as approximate. Method not given. | 12 | built (approximate), model-year | Estimate |
The engine rows partition the 3,220 total in the source (232 = 0, 258 = 0).
The engine rows also appear on the AMC tally sheet (1972 sheet, row 7279-8, Kenosha: 304 = 565, 360 = 1,830, 401 = 825, total 3,220). One lineage with the typed table.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Javelin AMX1 | $3,109 | 'factory price' as tabulated (basis not stated), 1971-09 |
| Go Package with 3604 | $410 | option price as reported for 1971–74, 1971–74 |
| Go Package with 4014 | $499 | option price as reported for 1971–74, 1971–74 |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 304 V8 2-bbl3 304 cu in · 2-barrel | 150 hp @ 4,200, 245 lb-ft @ 2,500 (SAE net) | standard | 5651 Reported |
| 360 V83 360 cu in · 2-barrel or 4-barrel | 175 hp @ 4,000, 285 lb-ft @ 2,400 (SAE net (2-bbl, single exhaust)); 195 hp @ 4,400, 295 lb-ft @ 2,900 (SAE net (4-bbl, single exhaust)); 220 hp @ 4,400, 315 lb-ft @ 3,100 (SAE net (4-bbl, dual exhaust; optional and in Go Package on AMX)) | optional | 1,8301 Reported |
| 401 V8 4-bbl3,2 401 cu in · 4-barrel | 255 hp @ 4,600, 345 lb-ft @ 3,300 (SAE net) | optional | 8251 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 |
|---|---|---|
| A727 · Torque-Command automatic (Chrysler-built), 360 and 4012 | optional | Not yet sourced |
| A998 · Torque-Command automatic, 3042 | optional | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Go Package (see 1971 for contents)4 | $410 | Not yet sourced |
W (trim)package |
Pierre Cardin interior: striped seats, door panels and headliner; offered only with Trans Am Red, Snow White, Stardust Silver, Diamond Blue and Wild Plum exteriors1,3 | $84.95 | Not yet sourced |
|
Javelin AMX 360 or 401 Go Package (footnote 1: 4-bbl engine, dual exhaust, hood T-stripe, black rear panel, Rally-Pac, handling package, cowl-air induction, H-D cooling, Twin-Grip, power disc brakes, E60x15 Polyglas raised-white-letter tires on 15x7 spoke-steel wheels, space-saver spare) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Hood stripe (included with AMX Go Package) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Vinyl-covered roof: black, white, blue, green or brown | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Bucket seats, fabric | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Dual exhaust for 360 4-bbl (standard on 401) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
V-8 Rally-Pac: oil pressure, ammeter, combination tach and clock, 140-mph speedometer | — | Not yet sourced |
|
16:1 quick-ratio manual steering (special performance) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Front lower spoiler (rear spoiler standard) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Power steering | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Power front disc brakes | — | Not yet sourced |
|
AM/FM multiplex push-button radio and 2 speakers | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Stereo tape player with manual AM radio and 2 speakers | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Console (included with console-shift Torque-Command) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Air conditioning (includes H-D engine cooling and 55-amp alternator) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Visibility Group (footnote 5: remote mirror, visor vanity mirror, inside hood release, 3-speed electric wipers, electric clock) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Light Group (footnote 9: courtesy lights, parking-brake warning light, headlights-on buzzer, door switches, trunk light, glove-box light, map light) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Headlights-off delay system | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Handling package, V-8 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Trailer-towing package No. 1 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
E60x15 black tires with white letters | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Standard on Javelin AMX: 304 V-8, vinyl bucket seats, 20:1 quick-ratio steering, 14x6 slot-style wheels with space-saver spare, E70x14 white-letter tires, rear spoiler | — | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
|
Midnight Black1 | 121 Estimate |
A1 |
Snow White | Not yet sourced |
C2 |
Stardust Silver | Not yet sourced |
C4 |
Jetset Blue | Not yet sourced |
C5 |
Admiral Blue | Not yet sourced |
C6 |
Surfside Turquoise | Not yet sourced |
C8 |
Grasshopper Green | Not yet sourced |
C9 |
Hunter Green | Not yet sourced |
D1 |
Jolly Green | Not yet sourced |
D2 |
Yuca Tan | Not yet sourced |
D3 |
Baja Bronze | Not yet sourced |
D4 |
Cordoba Brown | Not yet sourced |
A2 |
Canary Yellow | Not yet sourced |
D7 |
Trans-Am Red | Not yet sourced |
D8 |
Sparkling Burgundy | Not yet sourced |
D9 |
Wild Plum | Not yet sourced |
P1 |
Classic Black (extra-cost option) | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
61 |
Black; trims S (Wellington vinyl), R (corduroy), W (Pierre Cardin)1 | Not yet sourced |
63 |
Blue (S or R)1 | Not yet sourced |
64 |
Green (S or R)1 | Not yet sourced |
65 |
Red/black (S)1 | Not yet sourced |
66 |
Tan (S or R)1 | Not yet sourced |
68 |
White (S)1 | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping weight1 | 3,149 lb | body 7279-8 |
| Axle ratios, 360 and 401 (standard; optional) | 360 2-bbl automatic 2.87 (3.15); 360 4-bbl automatic console 2.87 (3.15), 4-speed 3.54 (3.15, 3.91); 401 automatic console 2.87 (3.15, 3.54), 4-speed 3.54 (3.15, 3.91); AMX with Go Package and automatic: 360 3.15 std (2.87 opt), 401 3.15 std (2.87, 3.54 opt) :1 | Javelin with 360/401 |
| Fuel | regular-leaded, low-lead or no-lead, 91 octane or higher | all 1972 AMC engines |
Identification
- VIN / door tag
- Sixth VIN digit '8' and door-tag model number 7279-8 identify the AMX. A Pierre Cardin interior shows 'W' on the trim tag.1
Where the sources disagree
Identification
Read a 1972 AMC VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1972
- AMC Gremlin X and Spirit AMX The first V8 Gremlin: the 304 (150 hp SAE net) in AMC's subcompact. Gremlin X production is not published in any source found.
- AMC Javelin The base model was dropped, so every non-AMX Javelin was an SST. This was the first year of the Pierre Cardin interior and of Chrysler-built automatics.
- Buick Riviera Net ratings only for 1972: 250 hp standard, 260 GS per ROA; 2,171 of 33,728 were GS.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX The last A-body GS year before the Colonnade Century; the GSX package, now in many colours, was invoiced on only 44 cars, most of them outside the lower 48 states.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The last Z15 Chevelle SS of the first generation: net-rated engines, an LS5 454 at 270 net hp, and 5,333 SS 454s.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova The source engine table switches to net ratings; SS and Rally Nova offered. Enthusiast-compiled production: 349,733 cars; Super Sport 12,309.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS Last year of the Chevelle-bodied El Camino SS; 50,359 V8 Malibu El Caminos were built, and the SS share is not separately published.
- Dodge Challenger Hardtop only, with a new grille: the R/T gave way to the Challenger Rallye package, and the most powerful engine listed was the 340 four-barrel.
- Dodge Charger The R/T and Super Bee were dropped; the new Rallye package became the performance Charger, and the 440 Six Pack was cancelled after a handful of cars.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon The Demon's second and final year under that name: 8,773 Demon 340s, with small Canadian and Swiss-market 340 runs counted separately.
- Ford Maverick Grabber The dual-scoop-hood Grabber in its second year as a model; Classic Industries counts 35,347.
- Ford Ranchero GT The Ranchero GT continued on the 1972-76 Ranchero; 12,620 GTs were built, per reference-site counts in the Standard Catalog lineage.
- Ford Thunderbird First year of the sixth-generation Thunderbird; only the whole-line production total was found.
- Ford Torino The new body-on-frame Torino sold 496,645 in 1972; the performance models were the Gran Torino Sport SportsRoof (60,794) and hardtop (31,239), with the 351 Cobra Jet and a Rallye Equipment Group on the option list.
- Mercury Cougar Net ratings arrived, the 429 was gone, and the 351 Cobra Jet became the performance Cougar engine, fitted to 3,560 cars.
- Mercury Montego GT The first year of the fastback-only Montego GT on the new split-wheelbase intermediate, with the Cyclone name reduced to a performance option that only a few dozen buyers took.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The 4-4-2 became a Cutlass option again, engines were rated in SAE net (W-30: 300 hp), and a Hurst/Olds paced the Indianapolis 500.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda Hardtops only, single headlamps, four round taillamps, and a 340 four-barrel as the top engine: the 'Cuda carried it as standard.
- Plymouth Duster 340 and 360 In the first net-rating year the Duster 340's 8.5:1 340 was rated 240 net hp with electronic ignition, the Twister became order code A51, and output rose to 15,681 in both compilations.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite For 1972 the GTX existed only as the 440 four-barrel option on the Road Runner hardtop; Mueller's Muscle Car Source Book counts 672 of them.
- Plymouth Road Runner The hardtop-only Road Runner took a 400 four-barrel as its advertised standard engine, and production fell again.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am A strike-shortened year: 29,951 Firebirds and 1,286 Trans Ams, every one a 455 HO.
- Pontiac GTO The GTO goes back to being an option on the LeMans, with net ratings only; 5,807 were built.
- Pontiac Grand Prix A carryover year with the SJ still offered; production recovered to 91,961.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The GTO becomes a LeMans option, and the LeMans gets WW4 and WW5 performance packages.