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Pony car

1970 AMC Javelin SST 390

Pony car powered by AMC 390 V8.

Big Bad Blue 1970 AMC Javelin SST 390 Go Package front view
Body Two-door SST hardtop on a 109-inch wheelbase
Engine 390 four-barrel V8, rated at 325 gross hp and 420 lb-ft
Transmissions T-10 four-speed or Shift-Command automatic
SST production 19,714 reported across all engines and special-edition branches

Story

1970 AMC Javelin SST 390

The 1970 Javelin SST combined AMC's first-generation pony-car body with its 390-cubic-inch four-barrel V8. Factory and period records rate the 1970 engine at 325 gross horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Buyers could pair it with a Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed or a Shift-Command automatic.

SST trim brought reclining bucket seats and upgraded cabin details. The optional Go Package added the functional ram-air hood, dual exhaust, heavy-duty cooling and suspension, power front disc brakes, Twin-Grip differential, performance tires, wheels, and stripes. A 390-equipped SST was not automatically a Go Package, Mark Donohue, Trans-Am, or Big Bad car; each package and appearance claim needs its own evidence.

AMC's 1970 palette included twelve standard finishes and the three high-impact Big Bad colors. Big Bad Blue, Orange, and Green used distinct door-tag codes and body-color bumpers. The photographed Big Bad Blue car is a restored 390 Go Package example, not a template for every SST 390.

Reported production totals cover 28,210 Javelins and 19,714 SSTs across all engines and special-edition branches. No dependable ordinary SST 390 subtotal is attached. For an individual car, the VIN engine code, engine tag and casting dates, transmission tag, axle code, door tag, build sheet, window sticker, and original paperwork carry more weight than badges or restoration choices.

Big Bad Blue 1970 AMC Javelin SST 390 Go Package rear viewChristopher Ziemnowicz via Wikimedia Commons · CC0 1.0

Price history

Values

Nominal dollars from original price sheets, auction archives, and approved value references.

Original Price

A verified original price is not yet available for this car.

Market Observations

  • Auction sale $53,900

    May 15, 2025 · Mecum Indy

    X-code 1970 Javelin A0C797X186297 with a 390 V8, four-speed manual, and frame-up restoration. · modified · unknown Mecum records the $53,900 sale four months after the same car's reserve-not-met Kissimmee appearance. The modified 450 HP engine and non-original Trans Am-style presentation remain explicit.
  • High bid $45,000

    Jan 16, 2025 · Mecum Kissimmee

    X-code 1970 Javelin A0C797X186297 with a 390 V8, four-speed manual, and frame-up restoration. · modified · unknown The $45,000 high bid did not complete a sale. The 390 was updated and dyno-tested at 450 HP, and the car carries a non-original Trans Am-style paint scheme, updated stereo, and aftermarket wheels.
  • Auction sale $36,300

    May 19, 2016 · Mecum Indy

    1970 Javelin SST A0M797X112348 with a 390 Ram Air Go Package V8, Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed, Twin-Grip, power steering, and power brakes. · unknown · unknown Mecum records the $36,300 completed sale. Mark Donohue spoiler trim and a consignor-supplied believed-to-be car-number claim do not authenticate a special-edition identity, so build state remains unknown and this observation is not used on the separate Mark Donohue page.
  • Auction sale $14,000

    Jan 19, 2016 · Mecum Kissimmee

    1970 Javelin SST A0M797X215236 with a 390 V8, four-speed manual, orange exterior, and black interior. · restored · unknown Mecum records the $14,000 completed sale. The listed engine, upholstery, headliner, tire, and accessory work supports restored classification, but the archive does not provide a condition grade.
  • Auction sale $30,250

    Jan 26, 2012 · Mecum Kissimmee

    X-code 1970 Javelin SST coupe with a 390/325 HP V8, automatic transmission, Go Pack, factory air conditioning, original fender tags, and build sheet. · restored · unknown Mecum records the $30,250 completed sale. The consignor described the numbers-matching Frost White car as restored; condition remains ungraded.

Values move with paperwork, originality, options, condition, venue, and body style. High bids and guide values are labeled separately from completed sales.

Reference records

Options, Colors & Components

Source-backed details for trim, chassis, production, and authenticity.

Engine Details

Engine bay of a restored 1970 AMC Javelin SST 390 Go Package exampleChristopher Ziemnowicz via Wikimedia Commons · CC0 1.0
  • Bore and stroke 4.165 x 3.574 in. · 1970 AMC 390 CID V-8 · engine assembly / specification
  • Compression ratio 10.0:1 nominal · 1970 AMC 390 CID V-8, 4-barrel passenger-car application · engine assembly / specification
  • Published maximum output 325 bhp @ 5000 rpm; 420 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm · 1970 AMC 390 CID V-8, 4-barrel Javelin passenger-car application; excludes the separate Rebel Machine 340 hp version · engine assembly / specification
  • Recommended fuel Premium · 1970 AMC 390 CID V-8, 4-barrel passenger-car application · engine assembly / specification
  • Carburetion Single 4-barrel downdraft carburetor · 1970 AMC 390 CID V-8 passenger-car application · carburetor / specification
  • Cylinder block material Cast iron · 1970 AMC 390 CID V-8 · block / specification
  • Cylinder head material Cast iron · 1970 AMC 390 CID V-8 · cylinder head / specification
  • Engine-size block casting location Engine size cast into each side of the block between the freeze plugs behind the mounting plates · 1970 Gen 3 AMC 390 V-8 identification · block / other
  • 1970 Gen 3 390 dog-leg cylinder-head casting 3196291 · 1970 AMC Gen 3 390 V-8 cylinder heads · cylinder head / casting number
  • 1970 early 390 dog-leg head valve sizes 2.025 in. intake; 1.625 in. exhaust · 1970 AMC 390 early dog-leg cylinder head casting 3196291 · cylinder head / specification
  • 1970 late 390 dog-leg head valve sizes 2.025 in. intake; 1.680 in. exhaust · 1970 AMC 390 late dog-leg cylinder head casting 3196291 · cylinder head / specification
  • Valve lifters Hydraulic lifters · 1970 AMC 304, 360, and 390 CID V-8 family · valve train / specification

Transmission

  • Factory transmission AMC Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed manual
  • Factory transmission AMC Shift-Command three-speed automatic

Options

AMC 390 V8 reference for the 1970 AMC Javelin SST 390Classic Muscle · Reference illustration
  • SST Javelin SST trim factory · interior · Upgraded seating and cabin trim distinguish the SST from the base Javelin.
  • Go Package 1970 Javelin Go Package optional · performance · Available with the 390; package hardware requires independent evidence and is not implied by engine size.
  • Big Bad Big Bad paint option optional · appearance · Blue, Orange, and Green finishes included body-color bumpers and distinct door-tag codes.

Paint

Big Bad Blue paint, white stripe, Javelin script, and rear-spoiler mounting detail on a restored 1970 AMC Javelin SST 390 Go Package exampleChristopher Ziemnowicz via Wikimedia Commons · CC0 1.0

Chassis

Authenticity

AMC Rear Axle reference for the 1970 AMC Javelin SST 390Classic Muscle · Reference illustration
  • 390 engine identity VIN engine code and 390 engine tag, casting, and date evidence agree with the build record · VIN, engine tag and castings, build sheet, window sticker · numbers matching
  • Transmission path T-10 four-speed or Shift-Command automatic matching tags, controls, and paperwork · Transmission tag or case, shifter, linkage, console, build records · date correctness
  • Go Package evidence Ram-air induction, dual exhaust, cooling, suspension, power front discs, Twin-Grip, wheels, tires, and stripes agree with records · Build sheet, window sticker, hood and induction, brakes, axle, suspension, cooling system · trim correctness
  • Paint and trim Door-tag paint and trim codes agree with original layers, upholstery, and paperwork · Driver's-door tag, hidden paint areas, interior, build records · trim correctness
  • Special-edition boundary Mark Donohue, Trans-Am, or other special-edition claims have their own package records · Window sticker, order form, build sheet, dealer or registry documentation · fraud detection
  • 1970 Gen 3 390 block and cylinder-head identification A 1970 Gen 3 390 engine should be checked for 390 block-size casting evidence and 3196291 dog-leg cylinder-head casting evidence, then reconciled with VIN, engine tag, dates, and build records · Block casting area between freeze plugs behind the mounting plates, cylinder-head casting numbers, engine tag, VIN, build sheet, window sticker · numbers matching

Still Researching

  • engine Factory bore/stroke, compression, power, fuel, carburetion type, block/head material, 1970 Gen 3 390 block casting-location guidance, and 3196291 dog-leg head casting/valve-size variants are now recorded; complete engine tags, date codes, carburetor list numbers, ignition/distributor variants, casting-date ranges, and individual-car originality evidence are still not normalized.
  • transmission Both transmission paths are recorded, but the complete tag, case, gearset, shifter, and date-code matrix is not.
  • rear axle Model 20 and Twin-Grip context is recorded, and the 3.15 standard axle ratio for the 390 Go Package with Shift-Command has been added; a complete ratio matrix by transmission and package remains unresolved.
  • brakes Standard drum and optional Go Package front-disc paths are recorded, but every size, casting, line, and package interaction is not.
  • suspension The 1970 ball-joint front layout, rear leaf springs, and Go Package handling equipment are recorded, but every spring, shock, bar, and steering part number is not.
  • option packages SST, Go Package, and Big Bad boundaries are recorded, but the full option-code, restriction, combination, and price matrix is not.
  • production Javelin and SST totals are recorded, but a trustworthy ordinary SST 390 subtotal and detailed option splits are unavailable.
  • paint colors The standard and Big Bad palettes are recorded, but special-order finishes and color production totals are not.
  • trim and appearance Major SST and Go Package appearance paths are recorded, but every stripe, roof, wheel, molding, and accessory combination is not.
  • interior SST seating, console, material, and trim context is recorded, but exact trim codes and every body-color compatibility combination are not.
  • authenticity markers Core body, drivetrain, paint, and package checks are recorded, and 1970 Gen 3 390 block/head identification has been narrowed; complete component-date, assembly-number, and individual-car originality guidance is still not recorded.

Codes & names

Names & Engine Codes

Common names and codes are grouped so LS6 references point to the same engine, not separate pages.

Factory Brakes reference for the 1970 AMC Javelin SST 390Classic Muscle · Reference illustration
AMC 390 AMC 390 V8
1970 Javelin 390 AMC 390 V8
390 CID AMC V-8 AMC 390 V8
325 hp 390 AMC 390 V8

Photo and video gallery

Gallery

7 photos and videos

Sources & Documentation

Reader contributions

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