IN SEARCH of Mr.Javelin
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IN SEARCH OF Mr.JavelinA small but dedicated group of Southern California AMC enthusiasts meet one of their heroes — Guy Hadsall, Jr., better known as “Mr. Javelin.” TEXT BY RICHARD TRUESDELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE AUTHOR AND CHAD PARKER ALBERT HAMMOND ONCE SANG “IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA” BACK IN THE ERA OF THE MUSCLECAR, BUT RAIN IT DID, CATS AND DOGS, OVERNIGHT IN FEBRUARY IN ORANGE COUNTY AS THE SOCAL AMX CLUB GATHERED AT 6 A.M. AT THE WEEKLY CRYSTAL COVE SHOW ‘N SHINE IN NEWPORT BEACH. It was a mixed bag of AMCs — two-seat AMXs, two Javelins and one Javelin/AMX, and one American ragtop (mine) — some restored, some that can be charitably called works in progress, but the reason for the gathering was an excuse to caravan about 15 miles north, to an icon of Southern California Googie-style architecture, the Parasol in Seal Beach, to meet with and talk to Guy Hadsall, Jr., best known as Mr. Javelin. Guy, who is now approaching his ninth decade, worked at AMC in what many of the AMC faithful call the Golden Years. Guy’s tenure at AMC ran from 1957, when he hired on as the Shows and Exhibits Manager, to 1969 and over that 12 years was responsible for some of the industry’s best recognized (and cost effective) auto show displays and sales promotions. This period of time ran from the introduction of the Rambler Rebel, arguably the first true musclecar, through the early ’60s when the Rambler nameplate rose to the number four position in annual sales, when the whole AMC line won Motor Trend’s coveted car of the year award (1963). Hadsall was there through the troubled times in the mid-’60s as AMC attempted LEFT: Scott Selleh and friend Chad Parker with Scott’s work-in- progress ‘69 AMX, showing that AMCs have friends among young enthusiasts who were mere tots when the last AMC rolled down the assembly lines in 1987. MIDDLE: Lined up at Crystal Cove, Jack Boughter’s original-owner 401 1973 Pierre Cardin Javelin/AMX strikes a pose with other AMXs and Javelins. For most Crystal Cove attendees, this was the biggest collection of AMCs they’d ever seen assembled at one place at one time. RIGHT: Along the PCH, co-organizer Mark Melvin finds all is well in the world in his self-restored 1969 AMX which he’s owned since graduating 28 years ago from close-by Orange High School. Along with Melvin, Roman Gora was most responsible for bringing Guy Hadsell together with the socalamx.net AMCers 30 MUSCLECAR ENTHUSIAST MUSCLECAR ENTHUSIAST 31 washing it repeatedly would damage the beautiful graphics. She also said that her Dad had a huge smile on his face as our caravan entered the parking lot. Roy Hall, owner of the Parasol, quickly rearranged tables for us so that we could all be seated together even though it was a very busy time. Due to its proximity to Leisure World, where Guy lives among other retirees, it is a popular spot for the senior citizens, who have been among the most vocal in working to save the Parasol and its unique style from the overzealous developers who would have preferred to replace it with another franchise food factory. LIFE AT AMC For the next two hours Guy, who is now 88, was peppered with questions about the Javelin, AMX and life at American Over a copy of that month’s issue of Musclecar Enthusiast, Allan Clark (1972 Javelin) talks Motors in the ’60s. Of greatest interest over AMC folklore with the day’s guest of honor, Guy Hadsall, Jr. to the group was how the Javelin got its name. Guy, who was appointed to the to compete head-on with the Big Three, enthusiasm as everyone was happy to “Name Committee” when he joined AMC straying from its compact car roots, and share AMC trivia with whoever would in 1957, had as his first task, placing all on to what is, in many AMC enthusiasts’ listen. It was probably the only time in of the lines under the Rambler banner for minds, its height, the 1968 introduction more than 25 years (outside of National 1958, as 1957 was the last year for the of the Javelin and its sports car spin-off, AMC shows) that six running AMCs were storied Nash and Hudson nameplates. the 1968 two-seat AMX. assembled in one place, at one time, ready Both were relegated to history as George to cruise. Romney staked AMC’s future on the ROAD TRIP By 9 a.m. we had assembled our fortunes of the Rambler, which showed It was a shame that the weather was so group for an impromptu photo shoot on signs of hope, especially in the recession uncooperative. Less than 50 cars, down the Pacific Coast Highway. It was here that year of 1958. In Guy’s self-penned book, from the usual 250-plus, lined up before Scott Selleh’s friend Chad Parker assumed Mr. Javelin, Guy Hadsall, Jr. at American dawn to enter the main parking area at photo duties and captured us driving the Crystal Cove. Quite frankly, those who famed Pacific Coast Highway. Although in his late eighties, Guy remains as showed up were quite surprised to see our We had hoped to take the PCH all the sharp as a tack with an incredible memory collection of orphans. Besides my 1964 way north to Seal Beach, but we were and command of the facts surrounding his Rambler American 440 convertible, others running late waiting for another group years at AMC. who showed up included the two-seat member, George Markos, to arrive from contingent of Scott Selleh, who showed San Diego (Sans his 1969 AMX, but his up with his work-in-progress 1969 AMX; Chrysler Pacifica made a great camera and Mark Melvin, who attended with platform for Chad). Cheating, we took his self-restored 1969 AMX which he’s the freeways north to Seal Beach for our had since graduating 28 years ago from rendezvous with Guy Hadsall at one of close-by Orange High School. the few remaining examples of classic Among the four-seater Javelins in mid-century Googie architecture left attendance was Roman Gora, who made standing in Orange County, the Parasol the show in his Big Bad Orange 1969 Coffee Shop on Seal Beach Blvd. Javelin; Allan Clark in a 1972 Javelin; Guy was already waiting for us to “What we lacked in numbers we more than made up in enthusiasm as everyone was happy to share AMC trivia with whoever would listen.” and Jack Boughter, who is the proud and arrive along with his daughter Susan, who original owner of a 401 1973 Pierre herself was wearing a Javelin-imprinted Cardin Javelin/AMX. What we lacked T-Shirt. Susan said she wears it only for in numbers we more than made up in special occasions as she’s afraid that 32 MUSCLECAR ENTHUSIAST with AMC’s highly regarded VP of Styling Dick Teague on the special show cars that would grace AMC’s booth at auto shows. When I asked him what ever became of the 1964 American-based Tarpon show car, Guy replied, “I wish I knew what happened to it. A year later we introduced a stretched version of the Tarpon concept, the Marlin, that, while a handsome car — and I had one as my company car — didn’t sell anywhere near our expectations.” The experience with the Marlin nearly sank AMC, as it was even less successful in the marketplace than the similarly sized Charger from Dodge. While the Marlin never got a second chance, the Charger did, morphing into the critically acclaimed 1968 version with its now classic coke- bottle styling theme. From left to right, bottom row; contributor Rich Truesdell, George Markos, Scott Meanwhile, back over at American Selleh. Back row Roman Gora, Mark Melvin, Alan Clark, guest of honor Guy Hadsall Motors, as new management was coming and Jack Boughter. on board, work was already progressing on the first real response to the runaway Motors (available from Olde Milford to the excessive numbers of meetings he success of the Ford Mustang, a car based on Press, oldemilfordpress.com), Guy related participated in. the American platform, which would ride on that in reality, AMC really abbreviated Over the years, part of his function as a compact 108-inch wheelbase. The Name “American Meetings Corporation” due Shows and exhibits Manager was to work Committee was asked to come up with a Allan Clark with his 1972 Javelin, parked in front of the classic and soon to-be-renovated Parasol Restaurant, a SoCal Googie institution since the mid-’60s. 34 MUSCLECAR ENTHUSIAST was at the time registered to the Chrysler his “early” retirement at 70 in 1988. Corporation.” And as we all know, it was There’s no question about it, this later applied to a forgettable subcompact Saturday in February was a very special from Chevrolet. day. The members of a very small AMC In the aftermath of that disclosure, club (socalamx.net) were able to share senior management went along with the three hours with a man who made a name committee’s original suggestion, difference. In return it was obvious that Javelin. The rest, as they say, is history. Guy really enjoyed himself and when Guy also confirmed that “AMX “ was everything is added up, that’s what the internal code for American Motors really counts. Experimental and the name stuck to This group resonates with the same the two-seater that was spun off of the passion that all of us who read publications Javelin.