1965 AMC Rambler Marlin

Your search for a cool. fun. affordable classic car has taken you to the right place.   AMC marquee cars are increasing in popularity. and now is the perfect time to cruise around and enjoy the great weather.   This 1965 AMC Rambler Marlin gathers a crowd everywhere it goes.

History (via Wikipedia)

The Rambler Marlin is a two-door. mid-sized fastback car made in the United States by the American Motors Company (AMC) from 1965 to 1967. A halo model for the company. it was marketed as a personal luxury car.

The fastback roof design was previewed on the 1964 Rambler Tarpon show car. based on the compact Rambler American. 1965 and 1966 model year production Marlins were fastback versions of the mid-sized two-door hardtop Rambler Classic.

AMC billed the Marlin as a new addition to the company's self-styled "Sensible Spectaculars" model line. Backed by extensive advertising and merchandising. the car was officially announced on 10. February 1965. and unveiled in Rambler dealer showrooms on 19 March.

New car introductions. more significant in the 1960s than today. were often accompanied by special invitations and heavy publicity. The Marlin was advertised in 2. 00 newspapers on its launch day. and American Motors' news releases positioned it as aimed at buyers wanting a sporty fastback that was also roomy and comfortable. This contrasted it with the smaller Barracuda and Mustang fastbacks that had arrived a year earlier. AMC's first model following the muscle car launches of the 1960s. the Marlin was intended to outflank competitors as a product they did not offer

The new model met with a mixed reception in the press.  Popular Mechanics magazine recorded 0 to 60 mph in 10. 8 seconds by manually shifting the automatic transmission. and fuel economy of 18. 14 mpg at a steady 60 mph. Mechanics Illustrated road test recorded 0 to 60 mph in 9. 7 seconds with the 327 engine.

Motor Trend magazine found the Marlin well balanced and said it added to the market's various personal performance sports cars. The San Francisco Chronicle praised it and noted effortless cruising at 80 mph.  Hot Rod magazine. which described the car as "weirdly attractive". ran the quarter-mile in 17. 43 seconds at 79 mph with the 327 cu in  and "Flash-O-Matic" transmission.

The Marlin emphasized the stretched-out hardtop (pillar-less) roofline that followed the contemporary styling vogue. Standard features. which focused on comfort and luxurious appearance. included deluxe exterior trim. individual reclining front seats. front and rear center armrests when bucket seats were selected. and interiors from AMC's two-door Ambassador model. including dashboard and instrument panel. On the Marlin. the dashboard was trimmed with engine-turned aluminum. Interior door panels were finished with carpeting and stainless steel trim. when many cars at the time had cheaper stamped vinyl glued to cardboard. Retractable front seatbelts where optional. The reclining bucket seats could be ordered with headrests. The Marlin was also one of the first American automobiles with front disc brakes (four-piston design. by Bendix) as standard. It had drum brakes without servo assistance on the rear.

Other options included "Solex" tinted glass (70% of production). power steering. heavy-duty suspension. "Twin-Grip" limited slip differential. air conditioning. adjustable steering wheel. power windows and a choice of AM radio or an AM/FM monaural unit (50% of production) with "Duo Costic" rear speaker and "Vibra Tone" system to simulate stereophonic sound (stereo broadcasting was not yet widely available in the U. S. ). Wide-ranging interior colors and upholstery choices were available. and options for the exterior. including accent colors for the roof and side window trim. enabled further customization.

The MSRP price was $3. 00. which is $22. 84 in 2013 dollars.  10. 27 Marlins were sold in the 1965 year of production.

This Car

Number 1. 14 built.   This Marlin is completely stock and sports the fantastic two tone blue color scheme. which best highlight the design and lines. as seen on the cover of the 1965 Motor Trend and Road & Track magazines.   It sits completely original.   Photos show an aftermarket steering wheel. but the original does come with the car.

Mechanics

The Marlin has just returned from Natales Auto Service Center. voted Monterey County's Best Auto Shop 2012.   Below is a list of work completed:

·         New shocks

·         Full brake job front and rear

·         Gas tank removed. sealed. reinstalled

·         Oil/filter change. new plugs. fuel filter. air filter. carb cleaned out and adjusted

·         Radiator completely re-cored. new hoses. belt

·         New battery/cable

Other Information

The Marlin is titled. licensed and insured in my name in CA.   A generic outdoor car cover. and the two 1965 magazines are included.   Call me at (831) 277-7916 or email: fullscalemodels@yahoo. com   Car is sold as-is. no warranties. guarantees. so please ask your questions. You are welcome to come see it in person and drive it around.   I reserve the right to end the auction at any time.   Join the Marlin Club!