The Marlin was hatched during the second age of the fastback. What began as the Tarpon based on the compact Rambler American in 1964 became the Rambler Classic based Marlin in 1965. For the 1967 model, the Marlin moved up to the larger Ambassador platform. The second generation Marlin is a one year only model and only about 2,500 were sold. This one Pat L found for us listed on craigslist might be as nice as it is described, perhaps a real treasure, at least for AMC fans. It’s in West Lima, Wisconsin. The sellers Father-in-Law has owned this Marlin for 32 years and it is completely original except for a repaint done in 1986. There appears to still be really nice paint under all the dust but you would think they could at least haul it outside and wash it for pictures. The seller asks prospective buyers to inspect it in person. This old fish is very well equipped with a 343 V8, AC, console, power steering, and power brakes. It has an automatic, though, while most prospective buyers might prefer a four-speed manual.
It doesn’t look very fancy inside, but this was the height of American Motors luxury in the 1960s. That looks like a big crack in the dash but it’s actually a separation between the instrument cluster and the passenger side of the dash like in this picture.
Here’s the 280 horsepower 343 V8 engine. It could really use some detailing. There’s no word on if it runs and drives. It appears to have been parked for awhile, so we can it does not.
Here’s the end that’s hard for many folks to love. This is form over function and must make loading the trunk interesting. This is a rare car but buyers might be even rarer. It was an award-winning car, at least among AMC enthusiasts and might clean up nicely. The $12,000 asking price seems really high, but it’s not far above average retail. If this Marlin is really nice, it could be a great deal. Are there any fish fans out there? If the ad is gone it’s saved here.
If I were to buy a Marlin, it would have to be a ’67. Looks so much better than the preceding years, in my opinion.
I like this one. Something about the style of these always interested me. It appears to be in good condition and if the mechanicals are good it might just be worth the asking price.
Hopefully we aren’t seeing a trend starting where everyone is getting too old and or passing on. I will try to stick around for a while even if it is just to annoy my wife.
One of these days we’re going to find out that Pat L. is really my long lost twin! (sorry for the insult, Pat) Nice find and nice write-up, David.
Scotty, I’ve been meaning to ask you about the firing order on your logo. Is it 1-2-3 like aTriumph triple, or zzt, zzt, zzt like a Spad VIII rotary, or 1-3-2 like some euro 3s? Obviously, I have acquired OCD from dealing with too many Ford firing orders and large radial engines. On certain R-3350s the order is found by cylinder count; number one, add 11, and subtract 7 to find the next firing cylinder. For all 18 cylinders.
Anyway, neat fish. One of my cousin’s many ex-hubands name was Marlon, who had a ’67 Marlin. His personal license plate had his name on it causing a lot of confusion in their small Illinois town. It drove quite nicely.
I’ll field this one, I believe, it’s a Saab 2 cycle 3 cylinder.
Sssssssmokiinnnnn!
The first Marlin I ever saw was in a junk yard in Murrysville Pa in the early 70’s. I always thought it was a cool looking car. It sat there for a couple years and then it was gone, last summer we were in Gettysburg and there was a AMC show and there were three Marlins at our motel. Memories.
The emotional bond is strong on this one.
Love the style of these big fish … but that trunk …no
The rear view is the best part of this car! The side view looks …… odd. I’ll wager that those who don’t like styling this don’t like the Audi A7 either. Once again AMC is decades ahead of the competition!
I thought I saw this car before, the pictures in the ad are from the AMC reunion couple years back. You can tell this guy loved his AMC’s, like most AMC owners.I believe, those badges on the grill are from AMC clubs. Who knows, this guy could have built this car. I disagree a bit, I don’t think the Marlin was the height of luxury for AMC, ( roll up windows, plain dash on this) you could get fancier Ambassadors for probably less money. Biggest downfall for the Marlin, if it only had a hatchback. Great find, AMC’s gamble that failed miserably, and you could own the car that did it. That’s special.
My dad had one a 67. Had a tired 290 in it, and I put a low mileage 304 in it for him. He put new carpets and other interior parts in. But it was a black car with a white top, could not figure out why everyone called it the skunk!
AMC violated rule number one. They tried to compete head on in the big 3 fullsize car market and got crushed. If they stayed with their strengths, small innovative cars they might still be with us……
AMC guys, will clutch linkage from a Rebel let a guy put a standard transmission in one of these? Is the console different, too?
A ’65 Marlin six cylinder with three on the tree sold at Mecum Thursday. I’m sure there has to be a way. https://www.mecum.com/lots/HA0418-324082/1965-rambler-marlin-fastback/
I have always really liked this body style, but I’m into the more unusual cars. I love the pictures with the father-in-law standing proudly with her! Although it didn’t sell well, this is one of my favorites from AMC. Personally I think it’s priced in the ballpark, if it doesn’t have any major mechanical issues. I’d love to have this one!
….And it’s a solid color, too. I wonder if it came from the factory that way or was changed with the re-paint.
From the listing: ” It was repainted to the exact original Stallion Brown by a professional restorer in late 1986.”
I remember getting a tour at an AMC plant here in Canada, I was about 6.
Seeing this chassis roll down the assembly line, workers adding parts and the body being lowered to meet the engine/chassis, then before my eyes was a beautiful light blue and white 65 Marlin!. I’ll never forget seeing that, and always loved the look of these cars, they are sure getting rarer to find.
This one looks in pretty good shape.
Also, I see some design cues that are Marlin-like, in the new Vette’s back end.
Malin back end ….
I bought the first 1965 Marlin that came into the dealership where I worked as a 17 year old. 6 cylinder automatic on column. Teal and black. Loved that car. I sold it when I went to the Marines in 1968. I finally found another 1966 V8 4 speed with air that needs restoring. Now I just need the time to work on it.
You are a very lucky person. I put a deposit on one at a car auction back in 2009 But, had no where to park it. So, I had to pass on the sale as I had 2 cars already one for summer and one for winter.
Cheers.
Is this the covered car next to the blue Rebel Machine from last week?
This Marlin is now enjoying the sunny south. I purchased her last summer. She is an almost totally original 343 with 4 barrel. I have installed new exhaust and rebuilt the M 11 transmission. She is a ShiftoMatic, bucket seat car with console. All power except windows and has original AC. I have been collecting antique autos for a long time and this is one of the best documented original cars I have encountered. On top of that there were only 2545 made. Probably less than a 100 irestored and running.