"Maxi" is a 1974 AMC Javelin in Maxi Blue with a blue interior. It is an original "Z" code 401 car with a 727 automatic transmission, and is loaded. The original owner used it regularly until 2001, and it was eventually sold to my boyfriend Todd's buddy who removed the engine. Then Todd bought it for the blue interior. But the car was too nice to part-out, and it sat in storage for a while. Todd really didn't need another car, since at the time he had a '74 AMX 360, a '73 401 AMX 4 speed, '79 Jeep CJ-5, a '99 Crown Victoria and a boat! When I expressed interest in maybe trying to restore it, he let me have it and the quest began for a replacement 401 engine.
A few months later, I had a used '74 Jeep pickup 401 in my garage. It spent the winter there, and I tried my best to clean off the caked-on goo that was all over it. Then came the search for various missing parts, checking, reassembly, and painting of the engine, installation, etc. It will be an ongoing project, and hopefully a worthwhile one...
This page was last updated on: October 12, 2009
The front bumper is slightly discolored and there's some overspray, but I think I can fix that. Some of the black parts will need repainting also. Note the added AMX style hood.
The car also has an AMX rear spolier. Again, not original. The rear bumper has some surface rust, and note the optionall "safety" bumperettes.
The tail lights that came with the car. The clear lenses were cracked. I had some spares Todd gave me that I painted and replaced these with. While they aren't perfect, they look 10 times better than these did!
This is how the wheels looked before I painted them. They are now semi-gloss black with charcoal, topped off with correct NOS center caps and new lugnuts. The tires have been replaced with correct size Firestones
The rear fender damage. There is now a few pounds of Bondo here to get an inspection sticker. This is the worst section of the body.
The damage on the front fender. I have a replacement for future repairs.
Interior in need of a good clean and detail. All the panels have faded into different shades of blue, and I'll have to plan my attack to make it all match again
This space is now filled with a '74 401. Note the exhaust was just plain cut off as the car was not intended to be saved.
Part of the front suspension. I have new shocks and springs waiting to be installed.
Rear suspenison. The exhaust was replaced and that rear shock will be gone soon... I hope...
Below are photos of Maxi taken when I first saw the car in November 2002. Things are slowly changing, and as parts get replaced and/or renewed, I plan on posting before & after shots
