I guess I’m on an AMC jag; yesterday, it was this cool 1970 Rebel SST station wagon, and today it’s a 1966 Marlin – the car that’s so, I dunno, awkward, that it’s truly hip in an AMC sort of way. This example, which hails from Mt. Morris, Illinois, is in pretty nice shape and, overall, presents well. Interested parties will find it available here on craigslist for $7,000. Thanks to T.J. for this tip!
Years ago, when I knew just a bit about cars and first spied a Marlin, I thought it was a Plymouth – you know, another fish car. I quickly learned otherwise and also noted that one did not encounter a Marlin as often as a Barracuda. Well, the Marlin never really caught on, moving only 17K units in three years (’65-’67). “It’s a nice solid car, mostly original. Kind of in barn find condition,” suggests the seller, and I’d suggest back that it presents pretty well. The finish has depth, though it’s hardly perfect, rust doesn’t appear to have darkened its doorway, and there’s no indication of parking lot mayhem having adversely affected this claimed 42K mile example (bet the odometer has been once around). Holding up all four corners are Chrysler slotted steel wheels, fourteen inchers on the front and fifteen out back.
The seller tells us that the 198 HP, 287 CI V8 engine “Has a hard time starting sometimes. Has to do with the pump on the carb. It has been rebuilt but sometimes doesn’t pump the fuel.” He also states that “it does run and drive.” One improvement added is the upgrade of the ignition system to a breakerless arrangement. A column-shifted three-speed automatic transmission makes the rear wheel connection.
The interior is rather ratty. The fabric portion of the seats shows as being stained, but more importantly, the fabric is disintegrating. The carpet is grody, and the speedometer has what looks like mold incubating behind its lens. The listing mentions that the fuel gauge is inoperative and the A/C works, but it doesn’t get cold. The steering wheel is an interesting study; it’s two-toned, being both blue and green – how unusual!
Love them or hate them, AMC’s Marlin has cred in my book. No, I never warmed up to the looks, but you have to give this independent manufacturer points for trying to compete in this very competitive market segment, going up against the big three – GM and Ford in particular. No, AMC wasn’t going to set sales records, but they weren’t going to go quietly into the night either. These cars are a bit unusual and certainly not commonplace, and for those reasons alone, I’m certain this seller will find an enthusiastic buyer, wouldn’t you agree?
Hmmm…a ’66 AMC with 142,00 miles? Probably not. 42 is more likely.
Dad brought home a 1966 Marlin. He put tge Mustang in the garage. The Marlin caughta lot of attention. Mechanically better car than the 1964.5 Mustang. The Marlin had room for 5 people. The headliners all went bad. This one will need a headliner. This car has air-conditioning. That is a plus. Buy it today and have deep pockets for restoration.
I owned 3 AMCs as daily drivers. No. I didn’t like them, they were cheap because most people didn’t like them either. The term “mechanically superior” to much of anything never occurred to me.
To each his own. 🤷♂️
I JUST bought the same yr and color, except white on the trunk/roof. Upholstery needs to redone, which I just bought a fitted carpet and headliner. I have apt in 2 weeks to have seats done. Needs to be painted, but going patina with fat whitewalls and the crome bubble rims. Should be ready for the summer car show scene.
I had a ’65 version of this with a 287 and no fastback (not a Marlin but otherwise identical). They’re great road cars with the 287 but be aware they have fiber timing gears which can disintegrate.
Gasp,,,at first I thought the “sisters” sold their moms car. To review, couple years back, I attended a local car show, and one of the cars was a similar( 67?) in color Marlin 2 sisters were showing. Apparently, there was an AMC dealer in our small town, their mom bought the car here brand new and never left town. Naturally it drew a crowd, I asked if I could see the motor. The sisters looked at each other with a puzzled look, sure, they said nervously. Nobody could find the hood release, they never opened the hood. I was the big hero, “it’s right here” pointing to center of grill. It was great to share my AMC stories with them.
Oh,,but wait, stop right there,,back then, the Marlin was considered by most, a joke. We were actually embarrassed to be associated with such an unusual car. Fastbacks were in their infancy, and generally not accepted by most. I still think it was a knee jerk reaction to the Mustang and Charger, even though Rambler led the whole fastback magila in what,,’63 with the Tarpon. It sorely needed a hatchback.
This is such a wonderful find, will have appeal for years to come, as the “sisters” car was evidence of that. And, of course, it’s an automatic.
When I read your comment Howard I just had to look up Rambler Tarpon. I never heard of one, I thought it was a joke. Then I see one and I’m like yeah they do exist. I bet that name got a lot of jokes. By the way, the pop up ads are out of control on this site. I can’t even write more than a few words ata time.
Download the Opera browser and turn on ad blocking. Makes a world of difference.
Or just use Chrome with uBlock Origin Lite extension installed. It will even block YouTube ads.
Even better: Become a BF member!
If nobody knew how to open the hood before you, how many miles/years was it before the car had an oil change?
Hi Peter, that’s a good question. Apparently, the “sisters” always had a garage do any work. It’s entirely possible today for someone not to know how to open a hood from outside, as all are inside release now. I felt like a big hero,,
When I first ran across one these in a boneyard back when I was a teenager, I thought it was the Plymouth version of the ’66 Charger. LOL 😂.
I love the lines on this car. When I was a kid, the 1st time I saw one I thought it was a Charger.
The closest I’ll ever get to owning one of these is my plastic promo model that sits on my desk, LOL. Great car BTW.
Not surprised, it sold!!
Rats, even with the “rather ratty interior” I liked this car. I would rather have this than a much more expensive rather ratty Chevy.
I have an identical one, exact same color – this is only the 2nd Marlin I’ve seen that is a solid color – the other one was mine. Local body man and I took care of that when we applied a coat of white to the roof, deck lid and sail panels. Mine has bucket seats, 275 horsepower 327 V8 with 4 barrel and 4-speed transmission. Its actually a fun car to drive.