1966 AMC Marlin Coupe, 287 V8, Auto Trans, AC, Lots of Documentation..LOOK

1966 AMC Marlin Coupe

Still generating that mod, groovy vibe 50 years later is this 1966 AMC Marlin, offered by MotoeXotica Classic Cars. Lovingly cared for by its previous owner, who drove this car for more than 35 years!

Its dark red exterior is in good overall condition, with some minor blemishes visible upon close inspection, on the nose, rear fenders and driver’s side door. The radio antenna is missing but otherwise, the trim is in similar good order. The car’s lights are intact and clear, as are the car’s windows. This Marlin two-door rolls on Goodyear Viva 2 radials, size 205/75R14 all around and has factory wheel covers.

Made in American Motors’ Kenosha, Wisconsin factory, this car left the factory with aqua paint. Under the hood is a 287 CID V-8 engine mated to a three-speed automatic transmission. Vintage Air classic air-conditioning was added to the car in 2003.

Inside, the two-tone interior continues the vibe set forth by the exterior. The split front bench and rear bench seats are in excellent shape; the matching carpet is in very good order, as is the matching headliner. The dashboard is in one piece and the two-spoke steering wheel is in very good shape. The two-tone hues continue to the door panels, which are also in good order. The mirrors are in good shape, with the sideview units taken from a more recent vehicle. Completing the interior is a modern AM/FM stereo with cassette deck and at least two speakers.

Included in the car’s documentation is a hand-written vehicle log, dating back to March 15, 2000 until January 12, 2015.

The Rambler Marlin became known as the AMC Marlin starting with the 1966 model year. All references to the historic Rambler brand name were removed from the car and promotional materials. This was part of new president Roy Abernethy’s remake of AMC’s corporate identity, divorcing the larger car lines from the Rambler brand and the economy compact car image. The other changes were minor (e.g. a slight modification to the extruded aluminum grille, a front sway bar made standard on six-cylinder models, and an optional black vinyl roof cover that continued over the trunk opening). New was an electronic tach on the top of the dash.

The year also saw the introduction of the fastback Dodge Charger, a derivative of the intermediate-sized Dodge Coronet and a sporty model in direct response to the Marlin. The Charger “was immediately paired up in the automotive press with American Motors’ year-old Marlin, another fastback specialty machine.” “The fastback Charger had been introduced in mid-season of 1966 in retaliation to the AMC Marlin, Mustang and Plymouth’s Barracuda.” Together, the intermediate-sized Charger and Marlin were “unusual, distinctive and in a class by themselves.” General Motors and Ford also positioned products similar to the Marlin as specialized “personal luxury” coupes and introduced two-door fastback versions of their full- and intermediate-sized car lines.

AMC broadened the car’s market appeal by lowering the base price to $2,601 ($19,002 in 2016 dollars) and offering more options. For example: high-level trim packages that had previously been standard, as well as the availability of a floor or center console mounted four-speed manual transmission and a dash-mounted tachometer, affected small changes in pricing and equipment that paralleled the competition. By comparison, Chrysler did a similar thing with the pricing and content of its Dodge Charger in the 1966 and 1967 model years. Despite these changes, Marlin production fell to 4,547 in 1966.

A Popular Science magazine road test comparison of three 1966 sporty fastbacks (Ford Mustang, Plymouth Valiant and AMC Rambler) highlighted the Marlin’s quiet interior, high-quality upholstery and positioned seats with adjustable backrests that “permit almost any driver to find an ideal seat-to-wheel-to-pedal relationship”, as well as the “best-balanced ride on good roads and bad.” The 287 CID two-barrel V8 engine with the three-speed automatic achieved 0 to 60 mph in 11.7 seconds and was the quietest of the group.

Documentation includes original AMC owner’s manual, original AMC technical and service manual, vehicle log from 2000 to 2015, a booklet of black-and-white 1960s Rambler and AMC advertising, repair and service receipts, classic, AM/FM stereo owner’s manual, a copy of the June 7, 1988 issue of “Collectible Automobile” magazine featuring the 1965-1967 Marlin; and a March 1965 issue of Motor Trend Magazine, which featured the 1965 ½ Marlin on its cover.

Competition to this car in 1966 included Ford’s Mustang and Plymouth’s Barracuda.

This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 1,930 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!

VIN: A6KA97T100790

Note: Please see full terms and conditions listed below that pertain to the purchase of any said vehicle, thank you.