1970 AMC Javelin SST Trans-Am: Rare Muscle with Racing Roots

Rebel Muscle - In the heat of America’s golden muscle car era, when Detroit's Big Three were throwing down horsepower on every boulevard and race track, a fourth contender quietly muscled its way into the spotlight. While Pontiac’s Firebird Trans Am had already begun earning its stripes, American Motors Corporation (AMC) introduced a much rarer—and arguably more rebellious—machine in 1970: the AMC Javelin SST Trans-Am. Bold in its presence and purpose-built for speed, this limited-edition marvel brought AMC into a league of its own, even if the world didn’t quite know it at the time.

The 1970 AMC Javelin SST Trans-Am represented more than AMC’s engineering prowess—it was a full-throttle tribute to the brand’s bold entry into the SCCA Trans-Am series. (Picture from: HotRod)

The Javelin SST Trans-Am was more than just AMC flexing its engineering muscle—it was a full-throttle celebration of the company’s ambitious involvement in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans-Am series. Starting in 1968, AMC joined the ranks of Ford and Chevrolet on the grid, pushing its brand-new Javelin coupe as a serious performance player. Though late to the party—only approved for competition two months before its Sebring debut—AMC’s Javelin still managed an impressive third-place finish in the season’s points standings. Not bad for the underdog.

AMC entered the SCCA Trans-Am series in 1968 to promote its new Javelin sports coupe—a stretched AMX—even though the program was approved just two months before its Sebring 12-hour debut. (Picture from: HotRod)

But AMC didn’t just show up—they doubled down. For 1970, they pulled off a major coup by hiring Roger Penske and his ace driver Mark Donohue away from Chevrolet. Penske and Donohue had dominated Trans-Am racing with the Camaro, winning nearly everything in sight. With AMC’s fresh backing, the tables were about to turn.

The 1970 AMC Javelin SST Trans-Am was painted in the same bold red, white, and blue livery as the race-spec cars, proudly showcasing its track-bred identity. (Picture from: HotRod)

To celebrate this bold new era, AMC built a street version of their race-ready Javelin. Limited to only 100 units, the SST Trans-Am was painted in the same patriotic red, white, and blue livery that adorned the track cars. The visual drama didn’t end with paint—the car featured a wind-cutting front air dam, a functional hood scoop, and a rear spoiler that wasn’t just for show. While the race cars used a version designed by Donohue for maximum track grip, the street model still looked the part and served to homologate the features for competition use.

The 1970 AMC Javelin SST Trans-Am featured a wind-cutting front air dam and a functional hood scoop, both enhancing its aggressive look and aerodynamic performance. (Picture from: HotRod)

Mechanically, AMC didn’t hold back. The 390 cubic inch V8 was familiar in name, but new in execution. A taller deck height, redesigned cylinder heads with better airflow, and improved combustion meant the engine now pumped out 325 horsepower—10 more than the previous year. Paired with a Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed and a 3.91 Safe-T-Track rear end, this wasn’t a poser’s car. It was built to run.

The 1970 AMC Javelin SST Trans-Am featured a more refined, driver-focused interior with richer materials, woodgrain accents, and a rim-blow steering wheel that replaced the plasticky feel of earlier models. (Picture from: HotRod)

The exterior changes for 1970 gave the Javelin a more aggressive face and sleeker profile, while the interior stepped up with richer materials and a more driver-focused layout. Gone was the plasticky feel of earlier versions—AMC added woodgrain accents, a rim-blow steering wheel, and a cockpit that actually felt special. It wasn’t over-the-top luxury, but it matched the sporty promise of the car’s bold exterior.

The 1970 AMC Javelin SST Trans-Am packed a reengineered 390 cubic inch V8 with a taller deck, improved heads, and better airflow, boosting output to 325 horsepower. (Picture from: HotRod)

Behind the wheel, the SST Trans-Am delivered on much of that promise. The seating position was intuitive, visibility was solid, and the gauges were easy to read—exactly what you want when piloting a muscle car. On a short drive, it revealed the kind of torque-heavy, responsive personality that made AMC’s big 390 engine so respected. 

The 1970 AMC Javelin SST Trans-Am retained the race-inspired look and included key features homologated for competition use. (Picture from: HotRod)

Acceleration was brisk and linear, thanks to the car’s low gearing. Shifts through the old-school T-10 were satisfying, though the throws felt a touch long by today’s standards. The steering was surprisingly light, almost effortless, and while the front end felt a bit loose—possibly due to worn suspension components awaiting restoration—it still gave off a confident, eager-to-run vibe.

The 1970 AMC Javelin SST Trans-Am featured a functional rear spoiler designed not just for looks, but to enhance stability and aerodynamics at speed. (Picture from: HotRod)

Even though it didn’t feel quite as buttoned-down as a same-year Firebird Trans Am, the Javelin SST had its own unique rhythm. It didn’t try to be a copy of its rivals—it had its own design language, its own powertrain tuning, and its own interpretation of what a Trans-Am car should be. And while it might not have out-cornered the competition, it definitely held its own in a straight-line sprint—low to mid 14-second quarter mile times were well within reach, putting it ahead of many similarly-sized muscle cars. | BiMNp-BzgTM |

Today, with only 100 ever made, the 1970 AMC Javelin SST Trans-Am stands as a rare and gutsy symbol of independent innovation in a crowded market. AMC might not have had the deep pockets or marketing muscle of its larger rivals, but it had something just as valuable—audacity. And in a time when boldness mattered just as much as horsepower, the Javelin SST Trans-Am proved that going your own way could be the fastest line through the curve. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | STREETMUSCLEMAG | HOTROD | CARBUZZ ]

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