In an trade that has leaned in the direction of downsizing beginning within the 1970s, the 1955-57 Ford Thunderbird is one instance that historical past has proven to have skilled the alternative, because it was upsized right into a four-seater for 1958. Our Decide of the Day is one other automobile that was nudged up in dimension . . . twice!: the 1967 AMC Marlin. It’s listed on the market on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Farmingdale, New York. (Click on the hyperlink to view the itemizing)
As chances are you’ll know, the Marlin originated because the 1964 Rambler Tarpon, a sporty fastback present automobile that was primarily based on the brand new, redesigned American, Rambler’s compact mannequin. Nevertheless, the American wasn’t slated to accommodate a V8 till 1966, doubtlessly limiting the Tarpon’s enchantment. For that purpose, American Motors determined to advertise the manufacturing model on the midsize Traditional platform.
This automobile, as you realize, was launched for the 1965 mannequin yr and renamed “Marlin.” Although a notch up in dimension, the Marlin’s proportions weren’t as sleek, and the V8s accessible had been less than the duty of dealing with GTOs and others within the phase, most of whom didn’t provide a mid-size fastback.
For 1965-66, the Marlin wallowed within the market, reaching about 15,000 in two years. Then, surprisingly, AMC (the corporate shed the company Rambler identify in 1966) moved the Marlin as much as the redesigned, full-size Ambassador platform. Sure, the Marlin was now larger, but it surely wore its proportions higher. The Marlin additionally was the recipient of AMC’s new sequence of V8s. Nevertheless, the car-buying public was not on this new-improved Marlin, as gross sales fell to 2,545.
This 1967 AMC Marlin is kind of uncommon on a number of ranges. First are the two-toning mods alongside the perimeters and the hood—this automobile seems to be nice, particularly with these magazine wheels, proper? However this Marlin is without doubt one of the few (one supply says 355) constructed with the 232ci inline-six. Would you consider the transmission is a three-speed on the column? Sakes alive! However this isn’t some sporty-looking automobile that wallows and wheezes on the highway, thoughts you, because the Marlin has been upgraded with Wilwood entrance disc brakes and a brand new exhaust system. Different options embrace purple material and vinyl inside with entrance bench, AM radio, and a cluster of Sunpro gauges.
In case you image a bell curve with regular distribution, you’ll be able to think about an entire bunch of Chevys, Mustangs, and the like caught in the midst of the bell. The Marlin is one thing that’s on the tails of the distribution, making it a singular bruiser of an car that catches everybody’s eyes but gained’t saddle you with 10 mpg gasoline payments. That’s seems like a win/win for $29,900.
Click on right here for this ClassicCars.com Decide of the Day.