American Motors Corporation (AMC) was founded in 1954 and it produced some intriguing vehicles during its run. One of the cult classics to roll off the AMC assembly line was the Javelin, a two-door sedan with a long nose and plenty of attitude. Reed Styve’s 1973 Javelin AMX is a unique build that’s powered by a big-block Ford engine.

Reed originally purchased his Javelin back in 1980, when he was just a sophomore in High School. Since Reed was a gearhead, the car was his summer cruiser, but it also saw some action at the drag strip bracket racing from time to time. The Javelin was host to numerous engine combinations over the years. It was eventually torn down in 1994 so it could get back-halved and get some wheel tubs for bigger tires.

Well, Reed had a change of heart and couldn’t commit to the major surgery required to finish the chassis work. A Mustang GT was purchased around this time and that got Reed hooked on autocross, so the Javelin was pushed to a corner of the shop until 2013. Reed had seen the 1979 AMC AMX built by Jimi Day, and that inspired him to build his own corner-carving ride out of the Javelin.

Reed has done the majority of the work on the Javelin himself at his home shop. The Holley Sniper-controlled 557 cubic-inch big block-Ford has been set back a few inches. Reed had to do some cutting and grinding to make it fit how he wanted. The big Ford engine is backed by a TREMEC T56 Magnum transmission that’s matched up with a RAM clutch. Out back, you’ll find a Ford 9” full-floater rearend out of an ARCA Late Model race car. The car is brought to a stop by a set of Wilwood brakes that are wrapped in Budnick wheels. Reed painted the car himself in a makeshift paint booth he built in his shop.

You’ll want to check out this video from Hand Built Cars that shows Reed’s Javelin as he built it in his home shop.