Prestone Partners with Ringbrothers to build Custom 1972 AMX Javelin

Prestone Products Corporation has been named an official partner of the RingBrothers, formalizing a relationship between the custom car builder and the premier purveyor of cooling system products.  The Prestone team has formally revealed plans for a ground breaking new car build that will revitalize a long lost American performance icon, the 1972 AMX Javelin.     

“We feel this partnership is a great fit, as the RingBrothers’ focus on performance and quality mirrors our own,” said Steven Clancy, President of Prestone Products Corporation. “RingBrothers cars are recognized by enthusiasts across the globe and we’re thrilled to collaborate with them not only as a partner, but as a customer as well”.

Jim and Mike Ring of RingBrothers have a long history with Prestone, having used Prestone products for years in everything from their daily drivers to the one-of-a-kind custom cars they build.

“Prestone is one of the most iconic brands in the automotive world, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to work with them” said Jim Ring. “Ever since I can remember, we’ve used Prestone antifreeze in our cars, from the ones we tinkered with when we were kids, to the highly customized cars we build today”.

The radical 1972 AMX Javelin will be unveiled at the 2017 SEMA Show.  Follow along and watch this exciting video series which documents the RingBrothers’ build progress.  The RingBrothers have only 12 months to complete the build… will they get it done?

You can check out the first video, the second video, the third video, the fourth video, the fifth video, the sixth video, and get a little history on the 1972 AMX Javelin by clicking here. Make sure to check out the full line of Prestone products at your local NAPA AutoParts store, or ask for them by name at your local NAPA AutoCare Center.

History of the 1972 AMX Javelin

First developed in 1966, the AMC Javelin is what most enthusiast call a “pony car”, which means it was designed as an affordable compact performance vehicle, much like the Mustang and Camaro. As is with those other two iconic pony cars, the AMC Javelin had its high-performance muscle variant, which is known as the AMX. By 1972, the AMX has quite the reputation in the racing world, giving it an excellent pedigree with helped on the sales floor.

As an independent automaker, AMC did not have the same resources as the “big three” (GM, Ford, and Chrysler), but that did not stop them from building some spectacular cars, especially in the early days of the oil-crunched 1970s. In 1972, when increased scrutiny on economy and emission had taken hold, the performance lineup of the Javelin engines had waned. There six possible engine options, from a 100hp 232 straight six to the 255hp 401 cubic inch, each with their own options, including 2-barrel or 4-barrel carburetors. The 401 lost 110hp between 1971 and 1972, a common thread across all auto manufacturers at the time. Behind your choice of powerplant was one of four transmission options- 3-speed manual, 4-speed manual, 3-speed auto, and the Chrysler-sourced 3-speed Torque Command auto with is a Chrysler Torqueflite, one of the strongest and most reliable automatics of the era.

A diminutive car, the Javelin AMX weighed in at just 2,875 pounds, slightly more when optioned with the 401 ci engine. At 3,184 pounds, the 401-powered AMX yields a power to weight ratio of 1 hp per 12 pounds. When compared to the 1972 Camaro with the 396 big block (rated at 240hp) with a power to weight ratio of 13 pounds per horsepower, the Javelin had a good leg up. The 360 Go and 401 Go packages included upgrades such as functional fiberglass cowl-induction hood, dual-exhaust, limited slip “twin-grip” differential, power disc brakes (rear drum), 15” wheels, and hood stripes. Additional extras such as AC, leather, and quick-ratio power steering were also available. The 1972 Trans-Am series was dominated by the AMX with its championship wins.

Styling for the 1972 model was altered for the Javelin, but the AMX kept the flush-mounted grille as opposed to the egg crate grille that came standard on the Javelins. A total of 15 colors were available with the option side stripes. We must also never forget the very rare “W”-code option, which is the Pierre Cardin-designed interior package with came with pleated striped seats and headliner. The Cardin interior is so bizarre, but it has an unmistakable 70s cool factor that just makes you want one. The stripes flowed together, from headliner to door panels to the seats. At just $84.95, 4,152 Javelins were sold with the PC option, which was available on the AMX variant, for 1972 and 1973. 1972 also was the first time a new vehicle came with a bumper to bumper warranty. Called the Buyer Protection Plan, this 1-year, 12,000 mile warranty covered everything except tires, and came with a toll-free phone number and free loaner program, all of which were new innovations.

Breaking the sales records, 1972 was  a banner year for AMC, even though they were struggling to compete with the Big Three. Production of the AMX Javelin topped out at 3,220, which is fairly rare. AMC had some interesting record keeping practices, and while numbers for engine and transmission options are hard to find, we do know how many of each color were built. Roughly 825 AMX models came with the 401, and only about 80 had the optional 4-speed.