We discovered Keith Zanone’s fantastic Gen. III Hemi-swapped Javelin at the big Super Summit car show back in 2019. You can read all about it in this article, but here are the highlights:
This 1973 AMC Javelin sports a 5.7L Hemi under the hood, backed up by a 4L60E transmission with a Compushift controller. Keith also equipped the car with a Fatman Fabrications independent front suspension, RideTech coilovers and shocks, and four-wheel disc brakes. It’s got modern conveniences like power windows and locks, and the Mopar mill spins the compressor for a Vintage Air A/C system.
We are happy to report that Keith has been busy giving the muscle car’s odometer a workout. A quick glance across the inside of the Javelin’s trunk lid reveals stickers commemorating trips from California to Ohio and everywhere in between. Keith has taken this car on countless road trips, including the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Road Tour and Goodguys Road Tour, two events that see participants cruising through America’s backroads and enjoying all kinds of automobilia—which is exactly what this Javelin was built to do.
Since we last caught up with Keith, he has made some useful modifications to the AMC. The Hemi has been upgraded with the camshaft and intake from a 6.4L Apache engine. A nine inch rear end with 3.50:1 gears keeps the Hemi’s manners mild when cruising down the highway, and an Eaton Detroit Truetrac does the same when you put the power down. An updated master cylinder helps bring the 11 inch cryo-treated rotors to a halt.
On the outside, a revised grille sets the stage for a custom-painted core support cover that perfectly mimics the pinstriping on the hood. With the car pulling extreme road trip duty, Keith made sure to improve the creature comforts, too. Cruise control, a power trunk release, and a backup camera artfully integrated into the Javelin’s rear badge bring modern functionality to this fantastic classic.
Says Keith, “It’s a homebuilt car that’s driven over 5,000 miles a year on average…we’ve done a number of road trips in it because we love seeing the country in a classic car.”
We think that’s the way to do it, too!
Thank you Summit Racing for the nice article! As a slight correction, I did not put 6.4 heads on it. We did over 8,500 miles on it this summer.
Fixed! Nice catch, Keith. Sorry about that!
My goodness Keith, this Javelin is awesome. It’s incredible the work you’re put into it – surely a labor of labor!
Lot to be proud of!
Keith built a beautiful car he is no doubt a master builder and a great guy also. I have seen this car and ridden in it in person it is truly amazing. Also you couldn’t meet a nicer person. Hats off to my friend. B. P.