The first thing you’ll notice with this 1965 Rambler Marlin are the photos. I don’t mean to always talk about the quality of the photos in online car listings, but this one is legendary, a hall of fame candidate for sure. The car, though, looks good and it can be found here on eBay in Decatur, Alabama, a half-hour southwest from one of my favorite cities, Huntsville. The current bid price is $2,500 but the reserve isn’t met.
The Marlin evolved from the Tarpon concept car which was based on the smaller Rambler American platform. As the idea evolved and it was discovered that the company’s current V8 wouldn’t fit in the smaller chassis, the Marlin moved to the bigger Rambler Classic platform. You can see the Rambler Classic grille and front clip but the rear was quite different.
The Marlin had a 2+2 seating configuration and you can see the resemblance with the Rambler Classic in the photo above. Those were the only three exterior photos in the listing so you’ll have to get in touch with the seller if you want to see the rest of the car, which I would if I were a serious buyer.
The carpet is the only thing that jumps out at me in the interior photos. A quick ten-minute vacuum and general wipe-down would have gone a long way inside. The back seats look perfect and it sure would have been nice to have better and bigger photos and more of them. I’ll never understand only taking eleven photos when eBay allows many more than that. But, at least they included a few interior photos and an engine photo, some sellers don’t even bother with that.
The engine in this car is the top choice, a 327 cubic-inch V8 with a 4-barrel carb and 270 hp. They say that the gas tank is “ruined” and will have to be replaced or cleaned but the car starts and runs. This was originally a California car that then went to Wyoming and the current owner found it and brought it down to Alabama. They mention that they want $5,000 so that must be their reserve. Hagerty is at $8,000 for a #4 fair condition Marlin, how much would you pay for this one?
I’m not bragging, Scotty, but I’ve seen a lot worse as far as photos go – for instance, those postings that include one photo of a car from 30 feet away and maybe a shot of the engine compartment. At least the seller here includes what little he knows about the car instead of the one-sentence description that usually goes something like: “Runs good got too many projects won’t last.” I like the color of this Marlin, but from what I can see, it’s not worth $5K.
I like the quirkinesses of the Marlins and the early Chargers. Marlins are pretty rare especially with the V8.
If you knew Scotty like I do, this has his name written all over it. Just saw’r a Marlin in my little town the other day, blue, just like this. As history fades, less and less people will know what a Marlin is, or was. You’ll blow them away everytime with a car like this. Looks rough, but the “Binford 9000” power washer will clean it up nice, and it’s relatively solid, and please, whatever you do, DON’T replace the motor. The 327 ( no relation) powered a lot of vehicles and was a super motor.
You’re not kidding about people not knowing- I had my Duster out last year and I stopped to get gas . Two people walked up to me and asked “whats a Plymouth ?”
Don, how about putting on a Mopar show at a dealership and one of the salesmen asked me what a “MOPAR” was.
Love it, great color combo and a sexy design. Hoping it goes to a caring new owner
If you think that’s sexy, I think you should probably re-qualify at the range sheriff. Your grouping may look like social distancing🤪
The Marlin is one of my favourite American cars, especially the rear end, which is so different from all of the others.
Hey ken, I liked the car too, however, it was the rear that was it’s downfall. Like most of the early fastbacks, if it only had a hatchback.
Look! The sir cleaner is still on.
That would be air cleaner.
Wish my car had a sir cleaner…LOL ;)
Maybe Rick was trying to be polite!!!! He just had the “the and sir backwards”.
It would be interesting to find out a little more history of this vehicle. The rear picture the owner covered up the license plate, the front picture shows a State of California plate. Was car stored 20 years in Ca or Al? Front grille area looks rough as does the interior.. I had a chance to buy a Marlin in 1988 fro $3000.00 in Springfield, Mo that was in nice condition ,but did not move on it.
There were 2 for sale near me in the late 80s but I couldn’t come up with the 2500 to buy them. Now I gots the cash but no cars! Keeping my eyes open all the time.
Looks to me like they stole the rear style from the 66 Dodge Charger! or vice-versa. I’ll take the Dodge anyday, but this does have a cool appeal – the paint job looks a bit like the old Ford Fairlanes as well.
Yeah, it gets me when people use their cars as storage units/shelves for junk, then don’t even clean out the debris before they post the car for sale. Oh, and they still ask for the moon price-wise.
On the front floor looks like one of those once clear one piece rubber floor mats turned yellow, yeccch. It’s too bad these didn’t quite make it with the public. I think because the stubby Classic front end made it look a little awkward.
In the late ’70s, I had the chance to buy a Marlin that was red/black and was in excellent shape. At the time, I thought it was a little weird-looking and passed on it even though the seller only wanted $350 for it. Who knew? I’d like to see this one restored, especially since it’s a pretty scarce car. The exterior colors are very attractive and it’s nice to see a car interior that’s not gray or black. This Marlin would generate a lot of interest at your local Cars & Coffee, that’s for sure.
Hey, there are two of them still for sale right now about 20 miles from me here in Oregon. Been sitting by the road for almost a year! I think they are pretty original, and not all rusty… the owner doesn’t advertise them… they just sit there!
Few people realize AMC pioneered Time travel. They used 327 V8 before they were invented by Chevy and copied the 66 charger styling for their 65 Marlin. And while I am being facetious the AMC 360 was a Mopar and the 390 was a Ford
A very polarizing car…you love it or hate it. I remember when they came out, I was never a fan of the design (especially the rear) but… a clean, nicely restored driver would be fun at a cruise night I doubt that there would be another one!
Does anyone know something about the spare part situation for Marlins?
It seems to me, restoring, even maintaining such a wonderful AMC is very, very difficult without good relations to an AMC Club and even then …
They should have used the Ambassador nose from the start. This was rectified in 1967 when the introduced what I believe is the best looking AMC of all.