Someone has a barn full of fantastic AMC cars! What most of us wouldn’t give to have a pole building full of cars like this, I know I would. The seller has this 1965 Rambler Marlin listed here on eBay in Delano, Minnesota, about an hour west of Minneapolis. The current bid is $4,150, there is no reserve, and there is just over a day left to get your bids in.
For 1965, the first year of the Marlin, it was known as a Rambler Marlin and they were based on the Rambler Classic. The next year they were known as the AMC Marlin in an attempt to step away from the Rambler name, but it was also based on the Rambler Classic body. In its final year of 1967, they were also known as the AMC Marlin but they were based on a different platform, the AMC Ambassador. I absolutely love the details of the Marlin and I have a feeling that there are quite a few fans of them out there. The underside looks solid, that’s a great sign.
The Rambler Classic isn’t normally what a person thinks of when asked to make a list of exciting vehicles, but the Tarpon concept – which was based on the Rambler American – added that sloping roofline and really makes an impact. I have to wonder what a hatchback would have looked like, although in 1965 there weren’t many hatchbacks in the US compared to a decade later. Hagerty is at $8,000 for a #4 fair condition Marlin with a 287 V8 so I have to think that a 327 V8 would be more than that. This could end up being a painfully great deal. This car looks really good to me from looking at the photos.
If the exterior looks good, the interior looks great, at least other than the wires hanging down under the dash to the left of the steering column. That’s always a scary sight. The seats look basically perfect front and rear as do the door panels and dash. The seller bought this car in Los Angeles when they were traveling there for work and drove it for a while, but it started “stumbling” at freeway speeds so they trailered it back to Minnesota and it’s been stored ever since. That’s actually the scariest part, knowing that it hasn’t been driven in 23 years. This interior looks like it would clean up very nicely and be an absolutely beautiful gem.
Speaking of a gem, this is the engine that you want, it’s AMC’s 327 cubic-inch V8 with a four-barrel carburetor and 270 horsepower, power steering, power front disc brakes, and AC. It looks nice and clean, at least for a car that’s been in storage, I think, since 1998. It currently turns over but doesn’t seem to be firing. I’m sure that most Barn Finds readers could bring this sweet Marlin back to life in no time. I wish we weren’t in the middle of a lingering garage and driveway project, this is the exact car that I’ve been waiting for – a 327 rust-free Marlin in silver over a red interior, and within an hour from home, ugh. Are any of you Rambler Marlin fans?
AMC make cool drag cars but this one needs a lot of work
I like a ’67 Marlin better, but this one has a nice setup and would be cool with a lot of work. Wish we could see more of the other cars too.
While I realize it’s not the authors job to get emotional over this, I see here just another of “dads collection”, going up for sale. While collections like these that feature Fords or GM’s fare much better, Rambler fans are not nearly that available today and decrease in number yearly. With Javelins being the exception, not many want or care about a Rambler, even something as unique as a Marlin, is still a tough sell, especially one that needs everything. Again( and again) they have to be nicer than this for the future, something some spoiled brat can plunk down their 5 figures and enjoy it now and be the talk of their buddies, not because of what great cars they were, it just looks different. It’s our “instant gratification” society we live in today responsible for that.
How is Boise, Id an hour away from Mn? Did I miss an earthquake?
Boise, ID? It was in Delano, MN as stated in the first paragraph and in the eBay listing.
Ugly then, ugly still!
Any info on the Javelin SST in the background? I’d say its a 69 considering the Mod-C stripe.
So you don’t like anything that says “Rambler” on it. This car isn’t for you. It wasn’t for me in 1965, although I would have traded the Rambler I was drivingt at the time in a heartbeat, Other people on the other hand… But this will get more attention at a car show or cars and coffee than that Just Another Mustang. What a piece of history this is, a one year model, at least by name.
I does look in good condition, although there’s a spot of orange on the lower right fender. A ding, dirt or that dreaded tinworm looking for air? The undersideof the car looks good, however and the carpet isn’t stained. How much of the paint is dust and how much is faded paint? Hard to tell from the pictures.
The hanging wires are a concern but, you know, they’re supposed to go somewhere. Perhaps to the aftermarket A/C? The engine turns over but won’t start? Fuel/carburetion? Ignition? Something mechanical? Shouldn’t be too bad.
But overall, the 327 4-bbl, even with the period piece column shifter… Yes, I like it.
Still one of the ugliest fastbacks ever produced. (I’d take the Javelin in the background!)
I’ll take the ’67 Ambassador.
SOLD for $5,100.
5k is a steal.
Sad our society doesnt appreciate anything other than the big 3 and that said if it had another label on it it would have sold for quadruple the money, and drug from the local swamp, even though 5k is what those others should be priced at too.
This could potentially be a sweet resto / project for a low buy in.
I’ve always liked these in the red & black combo with lots of chrome !