Big Fish: 1965 Rambler Marlin
In 1965, at least two car companies had “fishy” names: the Plymouth Barracuda, a fairly new pony car, and the Rambler Marlin, a really new personal luxury sporty automobile. The Marlin was based on a 1964 concept car called the Tarpon and was a fastback that may have inspired styling on the 1967 Dodge Charger (just a hunch here). This AMC product is in super condition, but not perfect, and is in Kelseyville, California. It’s available here on eBay where the no reserve auction holds at $16,500.
The Marlin would be a three-year model offering, first as the Rambler Marlin, then just the Marlin for 1966, and the AMC Marlin in 1967 as the company was minimizing the Rambler brand to bolster their image. The 1965-66 models were fastback versions of the mid-size Classic, while it moved upstairs to the Ambassador platform for 1967. When it was launched, it was actually a mid-year model and saw production exceed 10,300 copies. AMC executives felt there was a niche between pony cars and personal luxury autos which Chrysler (Charger) and Ford (Mercury Cougar) agreed with and jumped in a year later.
This “Big Fish” as the Marlins were sometimes called has been a California car for the past 57 years, garaged when not in use (129,000 miles). It wears a stunning dark red/burgundy and white paint job which the seller rates as an 8 on a scale of 10. There is a small rust bubble at the bottom of one fender and a slight crease along the passenger side of the car, but otherwise, it looks stellar. The interior is perhaps even more impressive. Everything in the passenger compartment is nearly perfect, though the AM radio doesn’t work.
The seller’s car retains its original 327 cubic inch V8 with a 3-speed automatic transmission and “Twin-Grip” rear differential. Paperwork exists to support a rebuild of the motor in 2013 and only 11,000 miles have been added to the car since then. It runs great and stops well with front disc brakes, and almost new tires can be found on all four quarters. This Rambler comes across as turnkey and ready for a road trip. Hagerty pegs the resale value of one of these at $20,000 in excellent condition, so if this one sells for less than that, it may turn out to be a bargain.
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Comments
Come on Howard, you know you want to comment on this AMC.
Nice,,,
A man of few words.
Another car where someone went overboard with the red and white.
The roof, trunk and window accents are what the factory would have done, but the rockers aren’t, and I’m fairly sure the grille strip would have been white. It’s just too much, though easily remedied. Overall, a really nice car and well optioned.
I worked on a ’65,& was surprised to find that
it had factory disc brakes.Interesting,cool cars.
I agree that the Red rockers are too much.
Another example of an oddball Rambler design, which is why I love AMC!
No Reserve auction? I don’t see that in the eBay ad…
You know I always like the fastbacks, like the 68 69 Torinos, the Chargers 66 67 But this thing just looks goofy, like a cartoon car for some strange syfy movie.
Are those reclining seats in ’65?! Maybe the 1st year for cars to get them – i assume – by Rambler?
The reclining seats are an old Nash feature. For many years AMC was the only domestic US manufacturer that offered reclining seats.
https://www.vintag.es/2019/11/nash-airliner-reclining-seats-1953.html
Don´t touch it, just drive an enjoy it. In my world, this is as close to perfect as can be.
Why….oh, why, is the “M” upside down???
I’ve always liked things that are a bit different so this is cool in a different sort of way. Dont like the red rockers either. Super cool window cranks!
I saw this car in person at the local hot rod shop!! It’s bad ass!