Looking to capitalize on the youth movement of the mid-1960s, American Motors introduced the Rambler Marlin in 1965 based on the mid-size Classic. Styling-wise, it looked like a cross between the 1964 Plymouth Barracuda (also a “fishy” name) and the yet-to-come 1966 Dodge Charger. The seller (maybe a dealer) has a first-year survivor with original everything and low miles. Located in Palm Springs, California, this white-over-red beauty is available here on craigslist for $16,000. Another great tip from none other than Tony Primo!
The Marlin was only in production for three years (1965 to 1967) and found even fewer buyers than the 1968-70 performance AMX (17,419 vs. 19,134. Using the Classic chassis and front clip for the first two years and the Ambassador’s for the third, the Marlin fit AMC’s mold of using as much existing hardware as possible. Size-wise, the Marlin likely had no direct competition in the beginning, which probably explains why AMC sold twice as many of them in 1965 compared to 1966. With very few sales in 1967, the company dropped the car in 1968.
We’re told this Rambler has had the same owner since 1978. The paint and interior are from the factory, although the former may benefit from a coat of wax. The car was seldom driven, given a mere 38,500 miles on the odometer. If you’re looking for a classic car with pep, this AMC is not going to wow you. We don’t know where the seller came up with calling this a “283 engine” when a 232 cubic inch inline-6 is more probable. A 3-automatic transmission is also along for the ride. The seller also says just 296 copies of this car were made, which sounds understated as a total of 10,327 Marlins left the assembly line in 1965.
If you’re searching for a vintage vehicle that seldom appears at car shows, this Marlin should check a lot of boxes. The seller doesn’t describe how well this AMC drives, but we’re guessing that it’s as good as it looks. Turn-key and ready to go seems to be the case. As a classic that may need nothing more than a new home (if it had a 287 V8 and air conditioning, it would seal the deal for me as an AMC fan), would you drive it away?
Looks like a nice example. Strange that the owner of 47 years didn’t bother to wash off the desert dust! I was somewhat excited about this until i saw the straight 6. A bit of a letdown-
296 Marlins produced in 1965? Geez-O-pete, absolutely everything on the internet is fake BS at this point. Gawd help the kids born now when the only reality they know isn’t reality. Gawd help humanity. Or, maybe we deserve this.
I worked on one of these,and was surprised that it
had disc brakes on it.AMC had some good ideas.
Power front disc brakes were standard on the Marlin for 1965. The rears are unique “non-servo” drums for which parts have unavailable for decades. (The cure is to convert to standard Bendix rear drums and install a proportioning valve.)
Oopsy posting is deleted as of oct 1rst at 9 am. So it found a new home. It’s a nice example that deserves care. I’m surprised to see power brakes so like Angliagt said, maybe discs in front ? Novelty for the era just missing power steering for a completeness. I’d love to take it home
Used to wash/wax neighbor’s ’65 when I was a young teen, and it had a 327 4bbl.
Got to drive it once and it flew till I stepped on those pwr disc brakes and nearly ate the windshield.
These cars always looked better from the rear.
I had a ‘70 Rebel Plain Jane wagon with 4 piston disc brakes on the front. Must of gotten a deal on a box car load from Bendix.
Marlin is nice- but would be much nicer with an AMC 327.
The pre-emissions era 232 is no slouch and is much lighter than the 327. I used to own a ’65 Marlin 327 and took it on quite a few long trips. A great turnpike cruiser but it was definitely a handful on twisty mountain roads due to pronounced understeer. You obviously have less power with the 232 six but handling should be noticeably better.