Fish Out of Water? 1965 Rambler Marlin
The Marlin was a fastback derivative of the Rambler Classic, built by American Motors from 1965 to 1967. Its styling looks to be a cross between the 1964 Plymouth Barracuda and the 1966 Dodge Charger. This first-year example looks to be in great shape cosmetically, but it’s going to need some mechanical work with the transmission and brakes (perhaps from sitting). Another rare tip brought to us by T.J.!
Sales of the Marlin were never big, even by AMC standards. All three years added up to less than 17,500 cars, with 60% of those coming in 1965. When the Classic was dropped in favor of the Rebel in a redesign in 1967, the Marlin moved over to the longer Ambassador chassis, which did nothing to boost demand for the sporty automobile. AMC dropped the Marlin after 1967, making it one of the least successful products they offered in the 1960s.
A six-cylinder engine was standard in the Marlin with a small V8 optional. We don’t know which is in the seller’s car, but we’re told it’s paired with an automatic transmission that needs rebuilding. The wording in the listing sounds as though the brakes require effort too, so it’s not a drivable automobile yet it looks fine inside and out. The aqua/green paint and matching interior seem tidy and rust/tear-free.
AMC cars from the 1960s are generally hard to find today, and the Marlin is one of the more elusive. If this one only needs mechanical work, the asking price of $10,500 might buy you a nice project. Located in Youngstown, Ohio, this vintage Rambler is available here on Facebook Marketplace. UPDATE: it’s just been sold!
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Comments
Catch that MARLIN! IMO the best of class, especially on longer wb! AMC made so many mistakes like Hornet, Pacer and others. This was a great attempt, unfortunately too few appreciated it. If I were fishing 🐟, I’d sure be nibbling at the bait!
Oh, that hurts, Rick. While the Pacer could be considered a mistake to some, I thought it was a great car,, the Hornet was one of the most successful cars of all time. It could be considered the “Falcon” of AMC. If I remember, the Charger was not well received either, but Mustang and Barracuda were. We got picked on a lot back then, and the Marlin was considered an embarrassment, but it really was a good car. It sorely needed a hatchback.
To Howard A…We all have our own opinions and you know what they say about opinions! Just expressing mine. I loved the 50s AMBASSADORS and as noted I like this MARLIN. But as a Founding Member of the GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY 😉, I have always had NO interest in small cars. A friend of my parents traded his 56 DeSoto for a 60 Corvair. Frankly, I thought he’d lost his mind 🤪. Have fun with your Pacers and Hornets! 👍. As for me, I’m driving my Town Car Signature Limited on to VERSAILLES!
Already sold
To Howard A…We all have our own opinions and you know what they say about opinions! Just expressing mine. I loved the 50s AMBASSADORS and as noted I like this MARLIN. But as a Founding Member of the GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY 😉, I have always had NO interest in small cars. A friend of my parents traded his 56 DeSoto for a 60 Corvair. Frankly, I thought he’d lost his mind 🤪. Have fun with your Pacers and Hornets! 👍. As for me, I’m driving my Town Car Signature Limited on to VERSAILLES!
The homilist of the Marlin run – the 67 has much better lines. You buy this car for it’s uniqueness not it’s beauty.
Already sold…
If your dreaming – put a 401 and 4 speed in this – would be a cool sleeper but to no avail its already sold.
The Marlin was so homely, it was cute. I miss AMC.
If only AMC had moved that rear axle back about a foot to give that design balance. . . that would have been so sharp.
I don’t see anything wrong with the style of this car. Remember when Honda/Acura and BMW made those weird humpback “coupe” style cross overs just a few years ago? those were ugly. This is fine.