So strange to watch the 12 hours of Sebring all those years ago just thinking that in Willow Oak just about 30 minutes from there, I was 3 years old, and so happy to have my dad holding me..and completely oblivious that I would be watching this at 56 years old and missing my dad more than I can ever say.
I'm a Mopar guy when it comes to classic muscle cars. But I've always really liked AMC's high performance cars...AMX, Javelin SST and Trans Am, Hurst S/C Rambler, Rebel Machine, Matador Machine, Hornet S/C 360...Even the V8 powered Gremlin was a pretty cool car in my opinion...especially with the 401. Both the 390 and 401 were great engines that combined really good power and daily driver reliability. It's a shame so many people ignore AMC when talking about classic muscle cars. I love em
From the small cubic to the largest 401, it was all the same engine. Plus they rated their hp at the tires, everyone else did it at the crank, that is why the AMC numbers where lowed, but they where realistic.
Well, You both knew the Ford guy would have to open his mouth so here I am. @Jeremy as a Ford fan with an attraction to Trans Am, I have known more AMC people than Chevy folk... The bowtie crowd doesn't care much about their one victory with a former Ford champion at the wheel. @@johnathanfarquhar1981 GM were the only one measuring flywheel hp because it was so low, they needed the bigger number to sell cars. The Boss 302 was rated at 291 hp. We know today that engine is good for 400+ flywhweel hp in factory tune. It's a treat to see Peter Revson and hear his name.
Thanks for sharing. This was an amazing accomplishment when you consider the fact AMC only started building performance production cars a few years prior to 68 as opposed to the big 3 who had been at since the 50's. The Trans Am series along with the Hurst AMX super stock drag cars definitely got everyone's attention in short order.
Great racing, top drivers, exciting to watch. Took my future wife on our first date to Watkins Glen in 1970 to watch the Trans Am. Got my first speeding ticked going thru a radar trap on Route 17 in NY. Still have the tickets and race program. Also still have the same wife!
The Javelins did very well in the Trans Am series. They won 3 championships I believe...1971, 72, and 76. I could be wrong though on the years. I believe the Trans Am Javelins were powered by a hot rodded 304. Many people were stunned when the upstart AMC was beating Boss 302 Mustangs/Cougar's, Z28 Camaro's, and AAR Cuda's and Challenger T/A's
@@edarcuri182 you know those Pontiacs raced in the Trans Am used Chevy motors...right? Look it up. They used a loop hole in the rules because Canadian Pontiacs used Chevy motors.
I loved my 68 Javelin SST 343 with the Hurst shifter. The car was fast even though the first owners had driven it... I always wished I'd spent about $300 more and bought an AMX that was also available. Back in 1977 an extra $300 was allot of money but that was the nicer car. Great video... The engine sound grabbed me right away. My parents sold the Javelin when I went into the Air Force. My father was friends with the local Chief of Police and my antics like driving to fast, racing off duty cops on a closed piece of just built highway, and others. They thought it was too fast... sigh! 🏁
There were gigantic differences between AMC and Chrysler from GM and Ford, they had different thinking on many levels, design and appearance and even how to manufacture a car. Now 50 years later, all the companies are basically the same. Designing cars the same way and using the exact same manufacturing techniques. I totally agree with you, it was a different time for sure.
Thanks for that film. What a blast to watch Trans Am racing when the cars were actually derived from REAL street cars, not tube framed full race cars, pretending to be street cars...
Such a cool video with some great footage of the Javelin and other sweet machines. I have a 1969 Javelin SST 290 4 speed that my father bought from the original owner, my HS football coach, and restored back in 1984. Has about 75K original miles. So much fun to have a unique car when I go to events. Thanks for sharing this cool video!
They have Mark Donahue saying some nice words about AMC back when he was driving a Camero...but two years later he'd be driving a Javelin for AMC and take back to back wins in 71 and 72. FORESHADOWING?!?!?!?!
Donohue/Penske won in 71, and negotiated out of contract with AMC and sold their cars to Roy Woods Racing for 72 season. I think George Follmer won in 72
Great racing, except for that silly Le Mans start at 3:20. So glad they finally got rid of it later. I had the pleasure of owning a beautiful black 1974 AMC Javelin 401 that I eventually gave to my young teacher-wife. Her students really thought it was so cool. We had only one problem with it, and that was leaking freeze plugs at the rear of the motor block. Otherwise, it was a dream car to drive. I was racing other cars at that time and I thought the stock handling of the Javelin was very decent, especially for a street car. It compared quite well with some race cars I drove. I loved the dash layout with the polished aluminum. I think, even today, these cars would be at the top of the performance cars.
It's spelled Penske not Penski . Great video though ! Thanks for this. I love the old Javelin's. I'd love a 69 or 70 Javelin SST with the 390. Very rare.
In my opinion one of the worst errors AMC made was dropping Javelin from their make roster in 1975. Sure, had they continued, it might have had to survive as a package option on the Hornet Hatchback ( a nice looking car in its own right), but the investment they made in marketing and support for Javelin was just tossed out. The Mustang II kept Mustang in the marketplace and, when the fickle buying public turned again as it does so often, Ford was ready to offer them another Mustang. The Challenger did come back but not the Barracuda. The Firebird has also departed again. Those Trans Am days were the best of racing.
This is a wonderful video with great driver interviews. But please, Roger Penske and Mark Donohue had nothing to do with AMC when this was filmed in 1968. They took over AMCs program in 1970. Thanks
And prior to 1970, you claim that there was no involvement by Donahue or Penske. You're kidding yourself or just trying to proclaim to be an expert. Clearly, this is a 1969 film recapping 1968 but focusing on the car, the Javelin. Donahue was an engineer and despite being with Penski and Camaro for 68 and 69 was extremely close to AMC and the Javelin program. He can be seen here in this film walking side by side with George Follmer and Peter Revson at the 10:11 mark. Do you really think AMC would allow him in this film saying all those nice things and walking side by side their drivers if they didn't know in advance that he would be working for AMC in less than a year from this film? Please. Donahue and Penski were involved with AMC on a friendly basis before it took over Officially in 1970.
Any Public Domain Advertising material that I've re-edited substantially by colorization and conversion to HD plus possibly adding a leader too it too is my copyright. Any film displaying my name is my Trademark for my broadcast channel and is protected two ways.
yep...ocean park videos merchant on Hemming Motors News had all the AMC Promo Films compilation i bought from merchant back in the day....rip VHS tape!!
There's no spokes person in this video, there are interviews, who are you speaking about, what time on the video. The Drivers all have their names on their uniform.....Mark Donahue and Peter Revson are both deceased, died in car crashes.
what was name of the blonde haired AMC race promoter during this phase of AMC TransAm series...and...does anyone know the artist who plays the Slipstream instrumental during this film??
but this is a 1969 promotional film, obviously, the events occurred in 1968, but this is a promo for AMC dealers during the 1969 year. the 1969 models were introduced in September of 1968.
People laughed at AMC because AMC never had made a muscle car or a racing car they were known as boring old straight 6 economy cars that's it then the Javelin was built and then the AMX but the Javelin made believers out of some of the non believers
OsbornTramain I know but I have a friend as one and other friends Camaro Z28 the first year and other Cobra Jet next one Shelby with back wheel anti flip backwards we where in Canada the largest per capitals mussel cars one bought a L88 he put a part upgrade the car he was flying One Camaro Z28 race package battery passenger side that was a Trams Am it was wild time
Christopher Conard This is the evolution of the pit crew/pit stop. These guys put a modern crew to shame. Whens the last time you watched a modern crew hammer out thick gauge OEM street car steel fenders damaged in a race? Thats right, never. These are the fellas that wrote the book for modern crews. With an unfiltered cigarette dangling from their lip...
So strange to watch the 12 hours of Sebring all those years ago just thinking that in Willow Oak just about 30 minutes from there, I was 3 years old, and so happy to have my dad holding me..and completely oblivious that I would be watching this at 56 years old and missing my dad more than I can ever say.
I'm a Mopar guy when it comes to classic muscle cars. But I've always really liked AMC's high performance cars...AMX, Javelin SST and Trans Am, Hurst S/C Rambler, Rebel Machine, Matador Machine, Hornet S/C 360...Even the V8 powered Gremlin was a pretty cool car in my opinion...especially with the 401. Both the 390 and 401 were great engines that combined really good power and daily driver reliability. It's a shame so many people ignore AMC when talking about classic muscle cars. I love em
From the small cubic to the largest 401, it was all the same engine. Plus they rated their hp at the tires, everyone else did it at the crank, that is why the AMC numbers where lowed, but they where realistic.
Well, You both knew the Ford guy would have to open his mouth so here I am. @Jeremy as a Ford fan with an attraction to Trans Am, I have known more AMC people than Chevy folk... The bowtie crowd doesn't care much about their one victory with a former Ford champion at the wheel. @@johnathanfarquhar1981 GM were the only one measuring flywheel hp because it was so low, they needed the bigger number to sell cars. The Boss 302 was rated at 291 hp. We know today that engine is good for 400+ flywhweel hp in factory tune. It's a treat to see Peter Revson and hear his name.
Trans am racing was the best. The 70 javelin was a really nice looking car
rip Peter Revson,& Mark Donahue...lost in racing follies in the mid late 70s
Thanks for sharing. This was an amazing accomplishment when you consider the fact AMC only started building performance production cars a few years prior to 68 as opposed to the big 3 who had been at since the 50's. The Trans Am series along with the Hurst AMX super stock drag cars definitely got everyone's attention in short order.
Father bought our 72 amx javelin in 84 I have the car will never get rid of the car has been in family all our lifes
Great racing, top drivers, exciting to watch. Took my future wife on our first date to Watkins Glen in 1970 to watch the Trans Am. Got my first speeding ticked going thru a radar trap on Route 17 in NY. Still have the tickets and race program. Also still have the same wife!
50 years and same wife!Awesome,I hope!
I salute you.
Good times sir
Life doesn't get any better than blasting a V-8 sedan around a road course. Next to that is watching the pros do it. RIP, Revson.
Good film, thanks! Nice to hear the respect the other teams had for the AMC team. Dan Gurneys comments were good.
17:39 is some really beautiful angry driving. Watched 6 times in a row.
AMC racing is a great American underdog story. Rocky on wheels
The Javelins did very well in the Trans Am series. They won 3 championships I believe...1971, 72, and 76. I could be wrong though on the years. I believe the Trans Am Javelins were powered by a hot rodded 304. Many people were stunned when the upstart AMC was beating Boss 302 Mustangs/Cougar's, Z28 Camaro's, and AAR Cuda's and Challenger T/A's
AMC won Trans Ams. GM paid the SCCA to use the name Trans Am on Pontiacs.
I like Pontiacs. I prefer winners. (Pontiac did win eventually).
@@edarcuri182 you know those Pontiacs raced in the Trans Am used Chevy motors...right? Look it up. They used a loop hole in the rules because Canadian Pontiacs used Chevy motors.
I loved my 68 Javelin SST 343 with the Hurst shifter. The car was fast even though the first owners had driven it... I always wished I'd spent about $300 more and bought an AMX that was also available. Back in 1977 an extra $300 was allot of money but that was the nicer car.
Great video... The engine sound grabbed me right away. My parents sold the Javelin when I went into the Air Force. My father was friends with the local Chief of Police and my antics like driving to fast, racing off duty cops on a closed piece of just built highway, and others. They thought it was too fast... sigh! 🏁
Mark Donahue was still driving a Camaro in 69.......7:02....still awesome footage thanks for sharing!
This was awesome when u could buy similar cars to what was raced and could tell the manufacturers apart from one another
There were gigantic differences between AMC and Chrysler from GM and Ford, they had different thinking on many levels, design and appearance and even how to manufacture a car. Now 50 years later, all the companies are basically the same. Designing cars the same way and using the exact same manufacturing techniques. I totally agree with you, it was a different time for sure.
Thanks for that film.
What a blast to watch Trans Am racing when the cars were actually derived from REAL street cars, not tube framed full race cars, pretending to be street cars...
Excellent period look at cars, drivers, and tracks that are no more. Crowds were surprisingly big . The car winning was the Sunoco Camaro.
Excellent video! This was REAL racing, unlike what we see going on today.
Thank You for this.
Keep your eyes open, with in the week, possibly two, I'll be uploading another AMC Javelin film.....all restored in HD. very very soon
Thanks, and Subscribed.
nice bit of trans-am history there...
also 1970s Trans Am Countdown promo film with Mark Donohue...
Such a cool video with some great footage of the Javelin and other sweet machines. I have a 1969 Javelin SST 290 4 speed that my father bought from the original owner, my HS football coach, and restored back in 1984. Has about 75K original miles. So much fun to have a unique car when I go to events. Thanks for sharing this cool video!
Never sell that Javelin ! I sold my 70 AMX 360 4-speed a long time ago and I miss it.
Great video, loved it. Yeah, as you can see, I own one, 50 years and still going strong.
man I'd love one of those cars today
I recently saw a Video on one they still race these cars in Vintage races .. It's on the Tooob here..
If Trans Am were relevant today, it would be America's version of the German DTM and the Japanese Super GT.
Thanks for uploading ! I´ve seen this piece before and have been missing it for a long time !!!
They have Mark Donahue saying some nice words about AMC back when he was driving a Camero...but two years later he'd be driving a Javelin for AMC and take back to back wins in 71 and 72. FORESHADOWING?!?!?!?!
Donohue/Penske won in 71, and negotiated out of contract with AMC and sold their cars to Roy Woods Racing for 72 season. I think George Follmer won in 72
Great racing, except for that silly Le Mans start at 3:20. So glad they finally got rid of it later. I had the pleasure of owning a beautiful black 1974 AMC Javelin 401 that I eventually gave to my young teacher-wife. Her students really thought it was so cool. We had only one problem with it, and that was leaking freeze plugs at the rear of the motor block. Otherwise, it was a dream car to drive. I was racing other cars at that time and I thought the stock handling of the Javelin was very decent, especially for a street car. It compared quite well with some race cars I drove. I loved the dash layout with the polished aluminum. I think, even today, these cars would be at the top of the performance cars.
Thank you so much for posting this!
WOW, 1969 a Great year for Auto racing!!!
long live the AMC Javelin breed...erm at least from 1968-1974...
When you can hug a corner at 90/100 with those polyglass tires your a racer not a Ricer .
It's spelled Penske not Penski . Great video though ! Thanks for this. I love the old Javelin's. I'd love a 69 or 70 Javelin SST with the 390. Very rare.
AMC Mechanic John Martin raced the Datsun 510 and 240z too.
In my opinion one of the worst errors AMC made was dropping Javelin from their make roster in 1975. Sure, had they continued, it might have had to survive as a package option on the Hornet Hatchback ( a nice looking car in its own right), but the investment they made in marketing and support for Javelin was just tossed out. The Mustang II kept Mustang in the marketplace and, when the fickle buying public turned again as it does so often, Ford was ready to offer them another Mustang.
The Challenger did come back but not the Barracuda. The Firebird has also departed again. Those Trans Am days were the best of racing.
This is a wonderful video with great driver interviews. But please, Roger Penske and Mark Donohue had nothing to do with AMC when this was filmed in 1968. They took over AMCs program in 1970. Thanks
And prior to 1970, you claim that there was no involvement by Donahue or Penske. You're kidding yourself or just trying to proclaim to be an expert. Clearly, this is a 1969 film recapping 1968 but focusing on the car, the Javelin. Donahue was an engineer and despite being with Penski and Camaro for 68 and 69 was extremely close to AMC and the Javelin program. He can be seen here in this film walking side by side with George Follmer and Peter Revson at the 10:11 mark. Do you really think AMC would allow him in this film saying all those nice things and walking side by side their drivers if they didn't know in advance that he would be working for AMC in less than a year from this film? Please. Donahue and Penski were involved with AMC on a friendly basis before it took over Officially in 1970.
Any copy that doesn't have your name in the corner of an AMC produced movie? ;)
Any Public Domain Advertising material that I've re-edited substantially by colorization and conversion to HD plus possibly adding a leader too it too is my copyright. Any film displaying my name is my Trademark for my broadcast channel and is protected two ways.
@@OsbornTramain So the fact that you're copying original AMC copyrighted material is irrelevant?
yep...ocean park videos merchant on Hemming Motors News had all the AMC Promo Films compilation i bought from merchant back in the day....rip VHS tape!!
any one know the name of the blond haired amc racing spokesperson in this film?
There's no spokes person in this video, there are interviews, who are you speaking about, what time on the video. The Drivers all have their names on their uniform.....Mark Donahue and Peter Revson are both deceased, died in car crashes.
awesomeness
what was name of the blonde haired AMC race promoter during this phase of AMC TransAm series...and...does anyone know the artist who plays the Slipstream instrumental during this film??
Love it...
Very interesting. Except that it was 1968 not 1969
but this is a 1969 promotional film, obviously, the events occurred in 1968, but this is a promo for AMC dealers during the 1969 year. the 1969 models were introduced in September of 1968.
People laughed at AMC because AMC never had made a muscle car or a racing car they were known as boring old straight 6 economy cars that's it then the Javelin was built and then the AMX but the Javelin made believers out of some of the non believers
AMX
? this isn't an AMX, AMX was on a shorter wheelbase....this is the larger 4 passenger car, the Javelin
OsbornTramain I know but I have a friend as one and other friends Camaro Z28 the first year and other Cobra Jet next one Shelby with back wheel anti flip backwards we where in Canada the largest per capitals mussel cars one bought a L88 he put a part upgrade the car he was flying One Camaro Z28 race package battery passenger side that was a Trams Am it was wild time
Compared to a modern pit crew, these guys look like they are on a coffee break.
Christopher Conard
This is the evolution of the pit crew/pit stop. These guys put a modern crew to shame. Whens the last time you watched a modern crew hammer out thick gauge OEM street car steel fenders damaged in a race? Thats right, never. These are the fellas that wrote the book for modern crews. With an unfiltered cigarette dangling from their lip...
Rodger Penske did well when he raced the AMC's too plus he was a very crative cheater..