The Matador and Javelin Pages

Welcome to my Matador and Javelin Home Page, which is an expression of my experiences with the AMC cars that I have owned and currently own. To own and drive one of these cars is an expression of independance and a desire to be different. I have and do enjoy my experiences with the cars from the 'other' American automaker - AMC. These often underrated and forgotten cars express a desire to be unique and to stand out from the crowd. in other words, to dare to be different and be proud of it is to own an AMC! To see a Matador Coupe or a Javelin at a drag strip is a rare sight, often drawing either comments of respect or rude comments, generally from those not familiar with these cars and their performance. I currently have a limited number of parts available for sale or trade. Name: Bill Dettman South Bend Indiana e-mail: javelinman@hotmail.com Cool Links: Bill and Christina's Home Page The Coupe Coop The Javelin Home Page This site is currently under construction. Watch for updates and other information Special Thanks to: Dave Basa for all his tech advice, parts and putting up with me all these years Scott Basa for the awesome job he did on the Matador X body, paint and graphics in 2004. My wife Christina for her devotion and for taking interest in something that is rather time consuming and tedious not to mention costly, but can be very rewarding. I look forward to the new Matador project being a joint effort with her. Check out our Home Page (link above).

This is my wife Christina and me. We have known each other over 20 years and our first date was in the Matador shown below.

This is the car that started it all. My 1974 AMC Matador X pictured here as it was in 1984.

1970 AMC Javelin SST 401 Big Bad Green

This car carries on the AMC performance. My 1970 Javelin SST with a balanced and blueprinted 401. The photos below show this 401 during construction in 1999.  Headers were added after the installation. Best  1/4 mile times with this have been 13.30 @103. Goals for 2004 are seeing how this car does with the Edelbrock Air Gap intake and some practice. Even with a 3.54:1 Twin-Grip, the car has poor traction off the line. I'm hopeful with some practice to get in to the 12's in 2004.

1974 AMC Matador X Coupe

Updated 03/31/2004. This Matador Coupe project was started 4-1-2001. This car had been stored since 1979. Pictures below. Car was clean and required very little considering length of storage. Mileage is quite low. This is a 1974 AMC Matador X Coupe.  Thanks to Dave Basa for getting me in touch with the previous owner, John Mogor. New 401 engine installed June 2003. Air Conditioning installed 8/03. Even though this car was painted in 2001, it has been completely redone in 2004 and a 1970 AMX Ram Air setup has also been added for 2004. More updates to this page will be coming soon.

A rare combination (above) - Matador and Javelin Yes, the Matador is towing the Javelin on a trailer.

Photos of Matador X Coupe. These were taken in 2001 when the car was first brought home, and show the car while it was still on the trailer.

Below are 2004 photos showing this car in various stages of progress.

New 401 power for Matador X

Updated 09/29/03: The new 401 is now installed and running. The engine is fairly stock, except for a hotter cam and some minor additions. Special thanks to Shaker, Inc. of Granger IN  for their superb machine work on the block and rotating assembly. Factory Air Conditioning installed 8/03. Goals are mid-14 second quarter-mile timeslips, 17+ MPG and lots of fun.

1974 AMC Matador X Coupe at 2004 Cavalcade  of Wheels  March 2004 (below)