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The July 2015
Great Oklahoma Classic is a 1968 American Motors Company Javelin ‘Super Sports
Touring’, which belongs to Scott Tye of Stillwater. Scott is a long time
member of the Stillwater Antique and Classic Car Club and has been interested
in classic vehicles for many years.
Scott
and his father Ernie found this car on-line at a dealership in St. Louis.
Negotiations for the car continued back and forth for about 9 months until the
seller finally met Scotts’ offer. The car was picked up during Christmas week
2014 and tailored back to Stillwater.
When purchased,
the car appeared very much as it does now. Only minor exterior work has been
done. The SST was restored with its original color 'Rally Green'. However, extensive electrical work has been necessary
to get lights,
gauges, etc., working. Stillwater Antique and Classic Car Club member Bill
Moore gets credit for most of the electrical and fine tuning to put the car
safely on the road.
The
engine
is a 290 cubic inch V8 which produced 225 horsepower and 300 pounds feet of
torque with a three speed “Shift-Command” on the console automatic transmission.
The Javelin weighs only 2,836 pounds. Scott’s Javelin may have several more
horsepower than stock due to the Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold and exhaust
headers and MSD Electronic distributor. Power Brakes, Steering and Air Conditioning makes this a fun car to drive.
Scott was
interested in an AMX but could not find one with an auto transmission. This
Javelin SST is a big brother to the AMX and has the same styling and looks. As you can see the interior has been restored
to the original factory appearance.
According to the vin number and data plate, the car is the original factory color, original interior, and original
engine and trans, although much of the car has been restored.
Unlike the AMX,
the Javelin has a back seat which throughout history created more
sales than the two seat sports cars.
The wheels are
the
original 14 inch mags that came with the SST (Super Sports Touring) package.
The B F Goodrich 6.95-14 redline tires complete the SST's classic 60's look.
The name “ Javelin
“ seems to have come from the cars’ designer who had several years earlier
worked for Chris Craft boats and had designed a ski boat named “Javelin“. Scott enjoys
driving and showing the car. Many younger drivers have never seen a Javelin or
any of the American Motors Cars.
The
first generation Javelins were the 68-69 models and were intended as a direct
competitor to the Ford Mustang. The Javelin owes its design development to the
AMC Tarpon (1964 ) which later became the Marlin ( 1966 ), and later the
concept sports car “ Rogue “ which was introduced in the summer of 1967 as the
1968 Javelin.
It is clear
to see
that Scott Tye is helping to preserve the American Classic Car with his rare
Javelin SST.
The
Cimarron Starlite Cruisers sincerely appreciate Scott Tye of Stillwater
Oklahoma for sharing his classic 1968 AMC Javelin SST as our Great Oklahoma
Classic for July 2015!
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