Johnny Lightning 1969 AMC AMX and AMC Javelin

One muscle car from the 1960’s that takes special interest from me is also an underdog to the Big 3 American automakers at the time, the AMC AMX.  Many diecast replicas have been made of the AMX, but only Johnny Lightning makes the best one in 1:64.  Not only that they also made the AMC Javelin to go along with the AMX and I found both back in 2005.  Today the AMX returns in the new Johnny Lightning for 2017 and along with it the final Big Bad color to finish off the Big Bad trilogy.

The Javelin was AMC’s late answer to the popular Ford Mustang and like the Mustang borrows components from the AMC Junior compact line to create a stylish four-seat coupe.  During its production run from 1968 to 1974 the Javelin became a popular contender in the Trans Am race series alongside Mustangs, Camaros, and Barracudas, and also as one of the first pony cars to be sold to law enforcement agencies.  Even with the new Javelin that was still not enough to satisfy performance needs at AMC so in 1969 a shortened version was released and called the AMX.  The AMX uses a shorter wheelbase and removed the rear seat for a more sporty and spirited version of the Javelin with body-colored front and rear bumpers and wild Big Bad colors that came in Orange, Green, or Blue.  The interior had numerous safety firsts that included one-piece composite dashboard, thinner glass, and softer inner A-pillars.  The engine in the AMX a 390 CID V8 that produces 325 horsepower while the Javelin has the 343 CID V8 that produces 235 horsepower; both models through a three-speed automatic transmission, though the lighter AMX was faster.  Despite the popularity the AMX was consolidated into the four-seat Javelin in 1971.

The Javelin is an older Johnny Lightning casting that was introduced in the early 2000’s, yet still looks remarkably great today.  I found this blue with white top version in the same store that I got the blue AMX so that was one special day for sure!  The Javelin has a more contemporary look on the sides with a flowing C-pillar sail roof, lower silver trim, Javelin SST badging on the front fenders, and 5-spoke rally wheels on plastic tires.  The front has round headlights with silver lower bumper, smaller split grille in the center, and a long hood with two scallops near the center.  At the rear the taillight bar spans across the back with Javelin in the center, while the base shows excellent detailing of the dual exhaust, drivetrain, engine and transmission oil pans, and the suspension system.  The interior has seating for four with a rear trunk, flat-faced dashboard with dual pod design that houses the gauges behind the 3-spoke steering wheel and a floor shifter.  To top it off the hood opens up to show off the 343 CID V8 with detailed valve covers and a silver air cleaner in the center and in this series the car comes with a car cover (a technique borrowed from the NASCAR series models back then).

The AMX is a tad brighter with better detailing and a proper size.  The width of the car is wider and despite the shorter wheelbase and length is just as big as the Javelin.  The front has round headlights that meet a body-colored grille and larger grille with AMX badge.  The lower bumper has detailed signal lights and space for a front plate that matches the rear plate, while the long hood has more pronounced scallops.  The side profile goes for a nice and clean look with AMX badging that also includes the round C-pillar badges, dual roof stripes in black, and 5-spoke wheels in various designs and sit on rubber tires with either redline tires or white-letter tires.  At the rear the trunk comes to an abrupt halt with the span taillight bar from the Javelin and dual exhausts showing off its tough look.  Combine that with the Big Bad Blue, Big Bad Green (released a few years later) and now for 2017 the Big Bad Orange this is one Big Bad set!

The metal base underneath shows off the same detailed drivetrain as the Javelin, but with much more space and crisper lines, while the hood shows off the V8 in a separate blue block from the black engine compartment and topped with a silver air cleaner.  The interior is also like the Javelin, but again with much better detailing that is crisper, has a separate console shifter, 3-spoke steering wheel, and detailed door panels.  Oh, and don’t forget about the rear seat that has been removed on this short-wheelbase model.  This is what I love about these Javelin and AMX models: they’re sleek, sporty, colorful, and stand out in a sea of Mustang and Camaro’s.  I am glad Johnny Lighting did such an excellent job on both of these castings!