The Rambler Marlin was born in 1965 as a fastback version of the Classic and appears to be a forerunner to what Dodge would do with its Charger in 1966-67. The Marlin was rebranded as an AMC product in 1967 as the company was moving away from the Rambler name, and it would also be the last year of production for the interesting automobile. This ’67 Marlin looks mildly customized in great overall condition. It’s located in Summerville, West Virginia, and available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $12,800, but not yet for the reserve.
During its brief run, the Marlin would be something of a “halo” car for American Motors. Its fastback roof was previewed on the 1964 Rambler Tarpon show car, based on the compact Rambler American. When AMC redesigned its mid-size cars in 1967, it promoted the Ambassador to full-size status and gave the Marlin that car’s longer wheelbase and platform. This was done to better help the Marlin compete with the Thunderbird, Riviera, and other personal luxury cars. Sales were never huge – even by AMC standards – and production dropped to 2,545 units for ’67 with some 85% having a V8 engine. Not seeing much future for the car, AMC pulled the plug after that.
The seller has owned this Marlin for about four years and most of the changes against stock appear to have been done before he came on the scene. He’s forced to sell the car because the storage space where the car resides with only 45,000 miles on the odometer has been lost. The Marlin is equipped with AMC’s mid-range V8 for ’67, a 343 cubic-inch motor. While it has dual exhaust, it may also have a mild cam and we’re told the machine sounds good and runs great. The engine compartment looks clean enough to eat out of. The rear brake cylinders are new.
While the seller says the car wears “stunning orange” paint, it looks almost deep red. But either way, paired with the black roof, the car looks super. We’re told it’s rust-free (a California auto) and has new weather stripping around the doors and trunk lid. The interior is not factory, although the frames for the seats appear to be. The car’s prior owner did a restomod on them and it doesn’t sound like the seller has ever liked the look, but it presents well for what it is. The new owner will get a “Ramber” that comes with Betty Boop floormats, cushions, and key ring.
On the to-do list is the need to repair a speedometer that “jumps around” at low speeds and the radio does not work; hardly big issues. The seller has provided two videos to help prospective buyers assess the quality of this automobile:
Best looking Marlin I have seen, save for the “door cards” from hell.
Great body styling. Dick Teague?
I just noticed that the door cards seem to have flooring transition metal from Home Depot. It might even be gold, which is not good.
Good eye there. Looks a little silly…
Everyone is calling door panels door cards now. Next, wrenches will be spanners, and fenders will be wings.
Whoa, someone loved their Marlin. We, in Milwaukee never saw them this nice, if at all. One question, how do you open the hood? Think I’m kidding? Some may remember, at the local car show last summer, there was a ’65 the gals mother bought new there. I asked to see the motor, NOBODY, including the owner, knew how to open the hood. Thankfully, I grew up with Ramblers, “it’s right here”, pointing to grill. Big hero, pretty sad, if you ask me. We’ve been over and over what a flop the Marlin was, today, it’s probably one of the most unusual cars you will see. That, apparently, translates into big bucks. A far cry from when introduced, they literally couldn’t give them away. Go figure, hey? Very nice example, but my standard question, does every classic today need those fire-breathing motors? Obviously, people that do that are more concerned with looks and glitz, than actually driving it. A stock motor, to me, is far more impressive than a swoopy “Jegs” motor, especially in an unlikely car like a Marlin.
This car is like a chocolate-covered meatball. Looks great, but has a nasty surprise inside.
More like a Milk Dud. Sweet on the outside, poison on the inside. I like the door cards. A car like this, already outlandish, a little more can’t hurt.
Actually the Rambler name was dropped from the Marlin for 1966. In 1967 the 343 V8 was AMC’s top V8 as the “AMX 390” would not debut until the following year.
Seats in this appear to be out of a late 1970s Matador. The door cards look like something that would come out of California, I’d try to find stock replacements. :)
I think the 1967 Marlin based on the Ambassador was a much better-looking car.
Yes, that’s the Marlin I’ve like since seeing it in magazines back in the day. I believe it was Popular Mechanics annual new car issue had a picture of it in white.
Correct. For that matter 1967-1978 Rebel/Matador/Ambassador are all the same car under the skin, excepting the 1974+ Matador coupe. The only real difference is the Ambo has a useless wheelbase stretch ahead of the cowl.
True. Much better than the Tarpon show car and the Classic based production car.
The 67 was properly balanced finally.
My eyes can’t make the other two work when looking at them from most angles.
If the new owner wants more Go, I do believe Indy Cylinder Heads will still sell you an aluminum block 401.
This is a exceptional Malin if you like these fish. AMC dropped Marlin in November 1966, EARLY in 1967 production. So only made 4 months, dealers told to take down all advertising, posters, banners, anything associated with Marlin, no Zone Orders, everything. Would see same in November 1979 with Pacer & Spirit AMX (865 made) for 1980.
1967 Marlins are pretty rare, but when it comes to AMC, rarity does not equate market value. Its rather rare to see a 1967 Marlin at any AMC National or Regional event now, has been for many years. I have never owned a Marlin of 395 AMCs owned so far, maybe time for me to get that bucket list thing going.
The 343 Typhoon was top of the line engine in 1967 as AMC tried to change image with THE NOW CARS FROM AMC. Yes & no, some models STILL had Rambler name like 67 “Rambler Rebel” look on tip of hood of this 67 Rebel convertible
http://www.planethoustonamx.com/press_photos/67-amc-rebel-convertible.jpg
65-66 Marlin press photo from above shows great lines
http://www.planethoustonamx.com/press_photos/marlin_pr.jpg
The 64 Tarpon prototype wears American front clip and if AMC would have built this on American shorter platform, not larger Ambassador platform, I think would have sold well
http://www.planethoustonamx.com/press_photos/rambler_tarpon.jpg
All Monday Morning quarterbacking now I guess, I could live with the flaming door panels, as I don’t think you would find any original vinyl & cardboard originals. Good luck whoever buys the fish! http://www.planethoustonamx.com
Thank you, Howard, I like the door cards, also.
The 1965 and ’66 Marlin was based on the Rambler Classic. The 1967 was based on the Ambassador. Bigger than the previous 2 years.
My question is…. why do these car companies pull the plug so fast. I realize they are looking for huge profits, but damn, give the car a chance
Marlin was replaced by the Javelin; similar to GM replacing the Corvair with the Camaro. neither the Corvair and especially the Marlin could compete with the Mustang
I never liked this model. Yet, here we are and this one is very nice. I’m trying to recall what manufacturer started the fast back look? 63 Vette. Did it start in Europe?
American cars had fastbacks all the way back to the 30s and 40s.
Marlin was replaced by the Javelin; similar to GM replacing the Corvair with the Camaro. Neither the Corvair and especially the Marlin could compete with the Mustang. First true American production fastbacks were early forties: most were two door “sedanettes” built by GM, but there were also some four doors.
Wow what a great looking car , i even like the doorsides. For years i hated the 66-67 charger and this car, But wow this one looks good, and that front seat, and not to mention the doorsides.
I have always liked the 67 Marlin. Such a unique, one year only AMC. Great lines and styling. Damn rare, with few seen today. Look at that stance! Everywhere you went people would say, “what is it?”. If I was unable to find factory door panels, then I could live with the current ones. You could really have some fun in this Fish. Great color combo that just pops. Be watching it for sure.
My favorite year Marlin! The wheelbase finally grew into the roofline for a WAAAY more proportional look than the old Classic-based version.
This particular one logged time on ebay at one time, being sold by one of the bigger classic car showrooms in the mid-west a couple three years ago… Moto-exotica rings a bell IIRC.
Aren’t those Matador seats? From the bug-eyed two door, I think.
my grandparents had one, spent summers with them on their farm, riding to the little country store [ no joke].
3 on the tree, but that’s about all i remember
it was my mom’s parents, she did their major shopping and brought them the groceries on weekends, making sure we didn’t fall into the pond while fishing