The AMC Rambler Marlin Was Certainly a Quirky Classic
While some people may not like the AMC Rambler Marlin, it’s still a unique and quirky car due to its exterior design and styling.
Written by Serena Aburahma
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
In the world of
classic cars
, few stand out quite as much as the AMC Rambler Marlin. This was definitely one of the coolest AMC cars on the market during its time. Curious to learn more about this quirky classic? Jerry's
got the rundown on what made the AMC Rambler Marlin stand out in a crowd. A look at the AMC Rambler Marlin car specs
The Rambler Marlin was certainly one of AMC's more memorable vehicles. Originally developed as a muscle car, it competed with the likes of the Chevy Camaro and the Ford Mustang.
As a muscle car, it's no surprise that the Marlin put most other vehicles of its era to shame when it came to questions of power. According to
Ultimate Specs
, it came with a 5.4-liter V-8 engine that produced 270 hp along with 359 lb-ft of torque at 2,600 rpm. The Marlin also came with rear-wheel drive and 4-speed manual transmission. Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
What made the Marlin a quirky car?
MotorTrend
has taken a look back at what made the AMC Rambler Marlin stand out among the other muscle cars of its day.What made the Marlin "weird and wonderful" as MotorTrend put it? A lot of the car's uniqueness had to do with its design and styling.
The original concept for the AMC Rambler Marlin was based on a more aerodynamic version of the Rambler Tarpon. Like the Marlin that would come later, the Tarpon featured a sloped fastback roofline that created a "teardrop" shape in the car.
The Marlin that came out of the Tarpon included a unique glass Marlin insignia badge on the trunk, along with the addition of a lip to the rear deck that recalled the car's aeronautical influences.
To be sure, not everyone at AMC loved the Marlin's design. AMC's Bob Nixon actually once called it an "ugly embarrassment." Nevertheless, there are plenty of people who remain fans of this strange and unique car.
As Vince Geraci, the head of AMC's design studio in charge of the AMC Rambler Marlin, put it, "The '65 Marlin is still an attractive car. When you take it to a car show, in a sea of 150 Corvettes, people always gravitate toward the Marlin."
MORE: The AMC Gremlin: An Unlikely Hero
The AMC Rambler Marlin is a collectible today
The AMC Rambler Marlin went into production in 1965, when AMC manufactured 10,327 units. Sales were not terribly high during the car's first two years of production.
A redesign for the 1967 Marlin was intended to boost sales, but even that didn't have the desired effect on profitability. Only a few more than 2,000 Marlins sold that year. After that, production of the car stopped.
In all, in its three-year run, some 17,392 Marlins were produced. Their limited production makes them attractive to many car collectors, who often gather to celebrate the odd-duck vehicle.
There's even a "Marlin Auto Club," which occasionally holds gatherings for owners of the car that's been both loved and loathed.
MORE: A Classic '70s Eyesore: the AMC Pacer
Get insured with Jerry
Whether you own a classic collectible or a modern car, you need to make sure that it's properly insured. That can be a hassle when you don't have the time or energy to sit around comparing quotes.
Thankfully, now you have another option:
Jerry
. Jerry is an app that quickly compares rates from dozens of companies to help you lock in the best deal. Give Jerry a try today and save up to $800 on your car insurance policy.Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
4.7You might also be interested
.jpg&w=64&q=75){kind=avatar}
