90-487: The Rambler Marlin (later AMC Marlin ) is a two-door fastback automobile produced in the United States by American Motors Corporation from 1965 to 1967. A halo car for the company, it was marketed as a personal luxury car . In 1965, the car was marketed as "Rambler Marlin". For 1966, the car featured "Marlin" identification only and was officially named "AMC Marlin", as was the 1967 model. Its fastback roof design
180-520: A roll bar installed, and the factory exhaust system replaced with open headers that exited below the doors. The Marlin retired after 80 laps with overheating and steering problems, and was reportedly sold as a used car after the race. American Motors designers and stylists made two operational show cars (Concept), The Black Marlin and The Tahiti Marlin. Both used the platform of the first generation Marlin and promoted Rambler's new emphasis on luxury and glamour. In spite of there being "many who welcomed
270-460: A 145 hp (108 kW; 147 PS) 232 I6. The AMC-designed 270 hp (201 kW; 274 PS) 327 cu in (5.4 L) 4-barrel V8, often paired with an automatic transmission that had the shifter in a floor console, accounted for 42% of total production, while less than 6%, regardless of engine option, had the innovative "Twin-Stick" manual transmission (with overdrive ). The center console-mounted controls offered one longer stick for
360-559: A 1964 Rambler that ran 112 mph (180 km/h) at the Fontana dragstrip . For the 1965 season, Kraft built a new "Bill Kraft Rambler", this time a fastback-bodied Marlin Funny Car on alcohol fuel and nitrous injection. The AMC engine was replaced by a Plymouth Hemi . On its first time out, the Hemi-powered car ran a 10.31-second quarter-mile at 138 mph (222 km/h). Roy Haslam,
450-564: A 1965 body design and turned it into a sportier version. But enlarging the car from its original concept [the Tarpon] and raising the roof produced an adverse effect on overall appearance." Carl Cameron, designer of the original Dodge Charger, named the Marlin as the only competition for his 1966 car even though, he said, the Marlin lacked some of the Charger's features and it was "very different". Contrary to
540-588: A 1999 inductee to Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame, raced his AMC Marlin Super Stock ( image ) in Canada and the U.S. He won the July Cup and was 3rd in the season point championships. Brothers Larry and Don Hess raced a Marlin in the 1966 24 Hours of Daytona . Sponsored by Queen City Rambler, a Charlotte, North Carolina AMC dealership, the car ran almost stock, even with a radio antenna. The passenger seats were removed,
630-652: A V8 engine at that time to fit the compact Rambler chassis. As a mid-sized car, the Marlin was not a dashing, affordable pony car, and after three years of production, it would "step aside in favor of another two-door: the hip, new Javelin." The Marlin was the subject of political controversy in Republican candidate Mitt Romney 's 2002 Massachusetts gubernatorial election campaign. In a television advertisement Romney and his wife Ann tenderly describe their first date and falling in love. Mrs. Romney recalls her husband pulling up in "some goofy-looking car" and running out of gas on
720-416: A chrome ring. The main feature was the Marlin's fastback roof with "stylish elliptical C-pillars that ended "between two stubby, squared-off fins" in the rear. The decklid was the same as on the previous model, but now without the large round insignia. A bigger back window improved rear visibility. New taillights were similar to those on the first-generation car. The rear bumper was slightly different from
810-480: A less practical, elongated rear end design. In Australia, fastbacks (known as "slopers") were introduced in 1935, first designed by General Motors' Holden as one of the available bodies on Oldsmobile , Chevrolet , and Pontiac chassis. The sloper design was added by Richards Body Builders in Australia to Dodge and Plymouth models in 1937; it was subsequently adopted by Ford Australia in 1939 and 1940, as well as
900-459: A low drag coefficient . For example, although lacking a wind tunnel , Hudson designed its post-World War II cars to look aerodynamic, and "tests conducted by Nash later found that the Hudson had almost 20% less drag than contemporary notchback sedans". However, the aerodynamic teardrop shape meant lower headroom for rear seat passengers, limited visibility to the rear for the driver, and also meant
990-503: 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 ‑US (12.97 L/100 km; 21.79 mpg ‑imp ) at a steady 60 mph (97 km/h). Tom McCahill 's road test in Mechanics Illustrated recorded 0 to 60 mph in 9.7 seconds with the 327 engine. Motor Trend magazine found
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#17328524922371080-565: 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 2,400 newspapers on its launch day, and American Motors' news releases positioned it as aimed at buyers wanting
1170-463: A positive contribution margin to the company's sales, with first-year sales helping generate a profit of US$ 5.2 million (US$ 50,275,818 in 2023 dollars) for AMC in fiscal 1965, despite a three-week strike by the United Auto Workers . The mid-sixties automobile market in the U.S. was marked an increasing influence of younger buyers who wanted a sporty image. Most of the "sportiness" of these
1260-466: A showroom, mechanical service, and body repair facilities, as well as to provide storage for used and new vehicles. Many dealerships are located out of town or on the edge of town centers. An example of a traditional single proprietorship car dealership was Collier Motors in North Carolina. Many modern dealerships are now part of corporate-owned chains with hundreds of locations. Dealership profits in
1350-610: A sloper style made on Nash chassis. According to automotive historian G.N. Georgano , "the Slopers were advanced cars for their day". In Europe, there was a sloping rear on streamlined cars as early as 1945, from which the shapes of the Volkswagen Beetle and Porsche 356 are derived. In Japan, the Toyota AA first adopted the fastback style in 1936. It was strongly influenced by the 1933 DeSoto Airflow . The 1965 Mitsubishi Colt 800
1440-456: 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 fill a niche left by their competitors. Within a year, Chrysler would enter that marketplace with the Dodge Charger , and a year later Ford, with
1530-492: A sporty, roomy, six-passenger sedan that would occupy a unique niche in the market. The idea was that the new car would be a distinctive, low-volume model symbolizing a new Rambler look and spearheading a full product line. To be a distinctive competitor to the Big Three, it should be flashy and intermediate-sized, and in an era when other automakers were stressing the power of muscle cars for their intermediate-sized image vehicles,
1620-739: A variety of channels, including mail order, department stores, and traveling representatives. For example, Sears made its first attempt at selling a gasoline-engined chain-drive high-wheeler in 1908 through its mail-order catalog and starting in 1951 the Allstate through select its stores and the catalog. Fred Koller opened the first dedicated car dealership in 1889. Known as the Reading Automobile Company, Koller sold cars manufactured in Cleveland, Ohio at his dealership in Reading, Pennsylvania. This
1710-662: Is a business that sells new or used cars , at the retail level, based on a dealership contract with an automaker or its sales subsidiary . Car dealerships also often sell spare parts and automotive maintenance services . In the United States, car dealerships have historically been an important source of state and local sales taxes. They have considerable political influence and have lobbied for regulations that guarantee their survival and profitability. By 2010, all US states had laws that prohibited manufacturers from side-stepping independent car dealerships and selling cars directly to consumers. By 2009, most states imposed restrictions on
1800-612: Is permitted, Mercedes-Benz opened city centre brand stores. Tesla Motors has rejected the dealership sales model based on the idea that dealerships do not properly explain the advantages of their cars, and they could not rely on third-party dealerships to handle their sales. However, in the United States, direct manufacturer auto sales are prohibited in almost every state by franchise laws requiring that new cars be sold only by dealers. In response, Tesla has opened city centre galleries where prospective customers can view cars that can only be ordered online. These stores were inspired by
1890-511: Is pricey." Fastback A fastback is an automotive styling feature , defined by the rear of the car having a single slope from the roof to the tail. The kammback is not a fastback design with a roofline that tapers downward toward the car's rear before being cut off abruptly. Some models, such as the Ford Mustang , have been marketed explicitly as fastbacks, often to differentiate them from other body styles (e.g. coupé models) in
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#17328524922371980-404: Is thought to be the first dealership dedicated solely to selling cars—meaning it hadn’t initially been established to sell horse-drawn carriages. Today, direct sales by an automaker to consumers are limited by most states in the U.S. through franchise laws that require new cars to be sold only by licensed and bonded, independently owned dealerships. The first woman car dealer in the United States
2070-461: The Road & Track Illustrated Automotive Dictionary defines the fastback as A closed body style, usually a coupe but sometimes a sedan, with a roof sloped gradually in an unbroken line from the windshield to the rear edge of the car. A fastback naturally lends itself to a hatchback configuration and many have it, but not all hatchbacks are fastbacks and vice versa. In the case of the Ford Mustang ,
2160-455: The Apple Stores . Tesla's model was the first of its kind, and has given them unique advantages as a new car company. In economic theory, car dealerships can be characterized as franchisees and the automobile manufacturers as franchisors. A franchise relationship can be beneficial to both parties, as the franchisee can sell a well-made and attractive product while the franchisor can rely on
2250-536: The Mercedes-Benz SLK320 . The original concept car was styled by Eric Stoddard , the car was further refined by Andrew Dyson and built by the German coachbuilder Karmann . Both the Marlin and Crossfire became "known more for their rear view than their front styling." The new coupé displayed a fastback roofline with broad rear fenders, a rear end treatment that prompted many automotive journalists to comment on
2340-577: The Mercury Cougar . The initial Rambler Marlin advertisements stated "now in limited production." Every dealership received one or two units to increase showroom traffic, whereas the production numbers are a direct reflection upon the actual number of Rambler automobile dealers and AMC sent bulletins to dealerships telling "How to use Marlin to sell the Rambler Classic." According to Tom Coupe, AMC's vice-president for sales, "the basic reason we produced
2430-543: The "best-balanced ride on good roads and bad". The 287 cu in (4.7 L) two-barrel V8 engine with the three-speed automatic achieved 0 to 60 mph in 11.7 seconds, and was the quietest, but least responsive of the group. The test Marlin's standard drum brakes were criticized as inadequate, with the authors recommending the optional disk brakes. The 1967 model year saw an increase in specialty market segment that included "the luxurious personal cars, Thunderbird, Riviera, Marlin, Charger, Toronado and Eldorado." The Marlin
2520-539: The "family"-sized fastbacks including the Dodge Charger, which saw 1967 model sales drop by half compared to its prior 1966 introductory year. Both the AMC Marlin and the very similar looking first generation Dodge Charger "flopped on the market as sporty car buyers were showing their preference for compact pony cars." The Marlin ceased production at the end of the 1967 model year. The Marlin "was an overlooked performer on
2610-497: The "provocative boattail theme" of the 2004 Crossfire's sheetmetal to that of the AMC Marlin. Even the handling characteristics of the Crossfire were compared by one British journalist to "a detuned 1967 AMC Marlin with locked-solid suspension." A highly detailed Marlin promotional 1/25- scale model was manufactured under license from AMC by Jo-Han for the 1965 and 1966 model years. The only differences are their grilles and removal of
2700-424: The 155 hp straight-six the big Marlin averaged 17.3 mpg ‑US (13.6 L/100 km; 20.8 mpg ‑imp ) city and 20.4 mpg ‑US (11.5 L/100 km; 24.5 mpg ‑imp ) highway. The Marlin "also handled well" and featured reclining seats that are "well worth the extra $ 44.65 to anyone who travels long distances." Sales of the redesigned Marlin fell to 2,545. This
2790-436: The 1966 to the 1967 model years. Despite these changes, Marlin production fell to 4,547 in 1966. Popular Science magazine road test comparison of three 1966 sporty fastbacks (Ford Mustang, Plymouth Valiant, and AMC Marlin) 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
Rambler Marlin - Misplaced Pages Continue
2880-486: The AMC "had an established image as an expert in the small-car field", and thus faced problems in marketing the Marlin as a sporty big car. Moreover, "the Marlin actually represented a double leap" for AMC: into performance, as well as personalization. The model had a good start, but sales quickly bottomed out in the 1967 model year. The automaker's anti-racing philosophy turned around after $ 40 million (US$ 375,630,769 in 2023 dollars)
2970-401: The AMC Marlin starting with the 1966 model year. All references to "Rambler" were removed from the car and promotional materials. 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
3060-413: 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 2-door fastback versions of their full- and intermediate-sized car lines. AMC broadened the car's market appeal by lowering
3150-520: The Ambassador's vertically stacked headlights in slightly protruding nacelles, and an all-new recessed extruded aluminum grille with horizontal bars that bowed forward in the center. The grille was a black anodized version of the twin (parking and turn-signal) "rally light" grille on the Ambassador DPL models. The hood ornament was redesigned, with a small chrome marlin fish set in clear plastic inside
3240-566: The Crossfire's resemblance to the AMC Marlin. Examples include automotive journalist Rob Rothwell, who wrote "...when I first espied the rear lines of the Chrysler Crossfire I was instantly transported back to 1965 and my favorite car of that year, the Rambler Marlin." Automotive editor to The Detroit News described the "distinctive boat-tail rear end that reminds more than one observer of the old Rambler Marlin." Motor Trend also compared
3330-587: The Democratic ticket chided: "...the fact that Mitt Romney was embarrassed by his brand new car shows just how out of touch with regular working people he is." Some of the main design components of the Marlin's design returned in 2004 with the Chrysler Crossfire fastback coupé . The rear-wheel drive, two-seat sports car was developed when Chrysler was merged with German automaker Daimler-Benz (forming DaimlerChrysler) and shared most of its components with
3420-648: The European Commission determined that it was anticompetitive for car manufacturers to prohibit dealers from carrying multiple car brands. Car manufacturers in the European Union are increasingly shifting towards selling cars directly to customers without reliance on independent dealers. Volvo has announced plans to sell all vehicles directly to customers by 2030. Multibrand and multi-maker car dealers sell cars from different and independent carmakers. Some are specialized in electric vehicles . Auto transport
3510-406: The European Union, car manufacturers were permitted from 1985 to 2006 to enter into contracts with car dealerships that restricted what kinds of cars that dealers were permitted to sell. Car manufacturers were able "to impose qualitative, quantitative and geographical restrictions on supply by selling their cars only through a limited number of dealers bound by strict franchise agreements." In 2006,
3600-457: 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 (129 km/h)." Hot Rod magazine ran the quarter-mile in 17.43 seconds at 79 mph (127 km/h) with the 327 cu in (5.4 L) and "Flash-O-Matic" transmission. The Marlin emphasized the stretched-out hardtop (pillar-less) roofline that followed
3690-661: The Marlin, is to attract attention to American Motors." The Marlin followed the signature design features of the Ford Galaxie "Sports Roof", the Plymouth Barracuda, the Mustang 2+2, and the 1965 fastback models from General Motors, including the Chevrolet Impala "Sport Coupe" versions. A book on American muscle cars says V8-powered Marlins provided appropriate performance for the streamlined appearance. The new model met with
Rambler Marlin - Misplaced Pages Continue
3780-435: The Rambler Classic 770 two-door hardtop, which did not have the extra features and luxurious interior of the Marlin. 10,327 Marlins were sold in the abbreviated first year of production. As part of Roy Abernethy's remake of AMC's corporate identity , divorcing the larger car lines from the historic Rambler brand that had "become synonymous with frugality" and the economy compact car image. The Rambler Marlin became known as
3870-558: The Rambler name on the 1966s. A friction model was also available from Jo-Han in 1966. Although available in a variety of single and two-tone color combinations, many of these "dealer promos" were done in aqua/dark blue two-tone plastic. Unwanted by AMC dealers as the 1966 model year neared its end, thousands of the models were given away to institutions such as children's hospitals and orphan's homes. They are now highly desirable and they command premium prices. Their value can be upwards of $ 200 to 400 for mint, in-the-box specimens that still have
3960-465: The Tarpon show car. The signature roof line from the windshield with the Marlin's "skylight permits carrying through the true fastback line in an unbroken sweep." However, the roof was raised over the rear passenger area when Abernethy, who was six-foot-four (193 cm tall), insisted on being able to sit in the back seat of the design studies. Teague worked for Chrysler as a stylist during the mid-1950s and
4050-541: The US mainly come from servicing , some from used cars , and little from new cars. Most automotive manufacturers have shifted the focus of their franchised retailers to branding and technology. New or refurbished facilities are required to have a standard look for their dealerships and have product experts to liaise with customers. Audi has experimented with a hi-tech showroom that allows customers to configure and experience cars on 1:1 scale digital screens. In markets where it
4140-446: The base price to US$ 2,601 (US$ 24,425 in 2023 dollars) and offering more options. For example: high-level trim packages that had previously been standard, as well optional floor or center console mounted 4-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 from
4230-782: The car's rear, a configuration similar to what would become known as the "fastback" 25 years later. Merriam-Webster first recognized the term "fastback" in 1954, many years before the popularization of the term "hatchback", which entered the dictionary in 1970. Opinions vary as to whether the terms are mutually exclusive. Early examples of fastback cars include the 1929 Auburn Cabin Speedster, 1933 Cadillac V-16 Aerodynamic Coupe, 1935 Stout Scarab , 1933 Packard 1106 Twelve Aero Sport Coupe, Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic, Tatra 87 , Porsche 356 , Saab 92/96 , Standard Vanguard , GAZ-M20 Pobeda , and Bentley Continental R-Type . Fastbacks provide an advantage in developing aerodynamic vehicles with
4320-433: The contemporary styling vogue. Automobile Quarterly magazine thought the car very ugly and expressed dislike for the inadequacy of the rear-view window, the positions of the steering-wheel and stoplights, the softness of the front seats, and the design of the pedals. Vincent Geraci (who became chief of product design and product identity at Chrysler after AMC's buyout), viewed the Marlin as "an exciting program ... We took
4410-503: The creation of new dealerships to compete with incumbent dealerships. Economists have characterized these regulations as a form of rent-seeking that extracts rents from manufacturers of cars, increases costs for consumers, and limits entry of new car dealerships while raising profits for incumbent car dealers. Research shows that as a result of these laws, retail prices for cars are higher than they otherwise would be. The early cars were sold by automakers to customers directly or through
4500-405: 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
4590-408: The decision was made to build the new fastback model on AMC's intermediate-sized Rambler Classic platform . The development team, under distinguished American designer Dick Teague , had to work with considerably smaller budgets than their counterparts at Detroit's Big Three to create the new Marlin. They created a large, roomy and luxurious fastback which incorporated a number of design features from
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#17328524922374680-432: The early 1940s until 1950, nearly every domestic manufacturer offered at least one fastback body style within their model lineups. Although the styling was good, the cars had less trunk capacity compared to the notchback designs. In the mid-1960s, the style was revived on many GM and Ford products until the mid-1970s. Marketing terminology changed in 2004, with the launch of the first generation Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class . It
4770-419: The early 1960s, the U.S. automobile market expanded. Whereas American Motors' profitable marketing strategy under George W. Romney had concentrated on compact, economical cars, Romney's successor as CEO, Roy Abernethy , sought to compete with the "Big Three" automobile manufacturers (General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler) by expanding AMC's model lines into additional market segments ; particularly by developing
4860-468: The eye." 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
4950-409: The fastback-styling of the lost 1956 Chrysler Norseman concept car's "resemblance to (that of) the 1965 Rambler Marlin fastback coupe, or vice versa, was (said to be) uncanny." As the Marlin was targeted at the evolving "personal luxury" segment, its long list of standard equipment was supplemented by numerous options that enabled buyers to personalize their car. American Motors billed the Marlin as
5040-476: The franchisee to incur downstream costs and use its local relationships to sell more products and services. The franchisor can act opportunistically by imposing constraints and burden on the franchisee after the latter has incurred sunk costs , such as investing in physical assets and building up a reputation with customers. The franchisor could for example require that cars be sold at low prices, services be performed for little compensation. The franchisee could on
5130-440: The hood ornament. Jo-Han also produced 1/25-scale plastic kits of the 1966 Marlin, (Jo-Han C1900) and reissued it in the mid-1970s in the "U.S.A. Oldies" series (Jo-Han C-3666). They are based on the promotional models, but are less valuable today. According to Steve Magnante of Hot Rod magazine, Jo-Han appears to be poised for a comeback with its most famous unassembled model kits favoring offbeat subjects, "but save up-this stuff
5220-476: The late 1960s to the 1970s, American coke bottle styling became popular in Japan, as seen on Toyota 's 1973 Celica "Liftback" . In North America, the numerous marketing terms for the fastback body style included "aerosedan", "club coupe", "sedanette" and "torpedo back". Cars included Cadillac 's Series 61 and 62 Club Coupes, as well as various other models from General Motors , Ford , and Chrysler . From
5310-598: The market, such as Tesla , have been restricted by this model and have either been forced out or been forced to work around the franchise model, facing constant legal pressure. According to a 2023 survey by the Sierra Club, two-thirds of US car dealerships did not have electric or hybrid vehicles for sale. Reasons for this include supply chain difficulties, as well as a need for car dealers to make substantial investments in new employee training and infrastructure to be able to sell, service and maintain electric vehicles. In
5400-462: The middle" because "neither has the compactness of the basic sports-personal archetypes such as the Mustang or Camaro , nor the posh elegance to social climb" of models such as the Cadillac Eldorado or Buick Riviera . Rather, "both aim at the driver who wants a sporty-type car, but who doesn’t want to give up room and comfort and isn’t ready to move into more expensive category." The 1967 Marlin
5490-458: The muscle car landscape", yet it was campaigned without factory support in motorsport venues. Roy Abernethy was opposed to corporate sponsorship of activities that glamorized speed and performance, and had instituted a prohibition on automobile racing. While the Big Three automakers in the U.S. were focusing on high performance during the early 1960s, AMC ran advertising that said: "Why don't we enter high-performance Rambler V-8s in racing? Because
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#17328524922375580-484: The new "GEN-II" V8 designs were still in development, and market research showed that a six-cylinder engine alone would not satisfy potential customers. Management at the small automaker wanted to change "its tune" with "a reasonably sporty 'upsized' response of sorts to Ford's Mustang." The "fastback" appearance was a revival of sedans built after World War II, as demonstrated by the 1940s Nash Ambassador . Ultimately, and in line with Roy Abernethy's new marketing strategy,
5670-462: The new breed of mid-size fastbacks as a breath of fresh air", the intermediate-size fastback car was not a big hit in the marketplace. However, According to Consumer Reports , these cars defied "the usual guidelines to size and price class, and they cannot be measured against any standard". The Marlin had low sales overall but generated publicity and excitement, attracting potential customers to AMC dealers not only for it but other models. It also added
5760-532: The new model—the Marlin—was to feature comfort and spaciousness. Initially, in response to a proposal for a sporty, youth-oriented car, a four-seat fastback design study, the Rambler Tarpon , had been built on the compact-sized Rambler American platform. This was shown as a concept car at various auto shows , but AMC's current "GEN-I" V8 engine would not fit in the comparatively small Rambler chassis; also,
5850-416: The one used on the Ambassador and Rebel station wagons , the top edge being a continuous horizontal line that fits up against the body. Teague said the 1967 car was 'the best-looking Marlin we built.' Motor Trend magazine described the all-new styling of AMC's new full-size cars as "attractive" and "more graceful and easier on the eye in '67." The second-generation Marlin did not have its own catalog, but
5940-607: The only race Rambler cares about is the human race." Nevertheless, the 1965 Marlin was an attempt to attract younger customers. The Marlin was promoted as an image-breaking model and AMC dealerships began sponsoring Ramblers in auto racing . Preston Honea achieved drag racing fame with the "Bill Kraft Rambler". The effort began in 1964 when the Bill Kraft Rambler dealership had installed a highly modified AMC Ambassador V8 engine (the 327 V8 bored out to 418 cu in (6.8 L), four carburetors, special intake manifold) in
6030-614: The other hand act opportunistically by using its local monopoly to perform poor customer service, charge customers more and pass those unnecessarily high costs to the franchisor. Car dealerships have lobbied for regulations that increase the survival and profitability of car dealerships: Economists have characterized these laws as a form of rent-seeking that extracts rents from manufacturers of cars and increases costs for consumers of cars while raising profits for car dealers. Multiple studies have shown that regulations that protect car dealerships increase car costs for consumers and limit
6120-439: The passengers. Protruding knobs and controls were eliminated from any area that the passenger or driver could strike them. The steering wheel was smaller than used before and the column was now designed to collapse under impact. A new lane change feature was made standard for the turn signal. An entirely new family of V8 engines was offered. The six-cylinder was still available, but rarely ordered -only 355 were built. The base V8
6210-445: The process the car gained 350 pounds (159 kg) compared to the previous models. Making the Marlin larger was a design requirement in anticipation of the 1968 entry of the compact-platform based Javelin . Also the longer, wider car would improve product differentiation among AMC's various model lines. Motor Trend magazine compared two "Sporty Specialties" – the 1967 AMC Marlin and Dodge Charger – concluded that both are "caught in
6300-752: The profitability of manufacturers. The issuance of new dealership licenses is subject to geographical restriction; if there is already a dealership for a company in an area, no one else can open one. This has led to dealerships becoming in essence hereditary, with families running dealerships in an area since the original issuance of their license with no fear of competition or any need to prove qualification or consumer benefit (beyond proving they meet minimum legal standards), as franchises in most jurisdictions can only be withdrawn for illegal activity and no other reason. This has led to consumer campaigns for establishment or reform, which have been met by huge lobbying efforts by franchise holders. New companies trying to enter
6390-415: The reclining buckets seats that not only featured a center armrest between them (with a center cushion for a third occupant or a floor console with gear selector), but also a foldaway center armrest for the rear seat. The interior design was new and featured a safety-oriented dashboard with the instruments and controls grouped in front of the driver, while the rest of the dash was pushed forward and away from
6480-547: The regular gears, with a second shorter lever for overdrive selection. It can be shifted as a 5-speed: from 1st to 2nd, to 2nd+OD, to 3rd, to 3rd+OD. 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
6570-463: The same model range . A fastback is often defined as having a single slope from the roof to the rear of the vehicle. Traditionally a fastback will have a trunk opening that is separate from the rear window which remains in a fixed position. The term "fastback" is not interchangeable with " liftback "; the former describes the car's shape, and the latter refers to a roof-hinged tailgate that lifts upwards for storage area access. More specifically,
6660-423: The term "fastback" is used to differentiate against the coupé notchback body style, which has a steeper rear window followed by a horizontal trunk lid. Automobile designers in the 1930s began using elements of aircraft aerodynamics to streamline the boxy-looking vehicles of their day. Such designs, which were ahead of their time when exhibited during the early 1930s, included a droplet -like streamlining of
6750-415: The time had cheaper stamped vinyl glued to cardboard. Retractable front seatbelts were 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. A total of 2,005 Marlins were built with the smallest engine option,
6840-435: The view that the Charger was a "clone" of the Marlin, Cameron said that the starting-point for his design was the fastback 1949 Cadillac , and that any similarity to the Marlin was coincidental. He added that as a result of the exceptionally tall Abernathy's insistence on being able to sit in the Marlin's back seat, "those cars had big squared-off roofs" whereas the Charger's roof treatment was "rounded off, much more pleasing to
6930-464: The way home. Romney describes being embarrassed by the fact that in high school he drove a car that he says was "kinda awful." What Romney did not say in the ads was that the car was a brand new Marlin, from the company that was headed by his father, George W. Romney , from 1954 to 1962. The rival Shannon O'Brien campaign responded that Romney "actually drove a cool car"—a "personal luxury car" according to AutoWeek magazine. The press release by
7020-544: Was Rachel "Mommy" Krouse who in 1903 opened her business, Krouse Motor Car Company, in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . The number of car dealerships in the US peaked in 1927 at 53,125 and steadily decreased over the next decades. By 1960, there were 33, 658 dealerships; by 1980, 23,379; and by 2001, 22,007. Car dealerships are usually franchised to sell and service vehicles by specific companies. They are often located on properties offering enough room to have buildings housing
7110-782: Was described as a 4-door coupé , a purely marketing term describing its fastback sedan arrangement, with fastback coupé-profiled bodywork and two doors on each side. The design reinterpreted the concept used in the 1992-1997 Infiniti J30/Nissan Leopard J Férié , which is not a true fastback. This marketing term was followed by other competing models, such as the Audi A7 and the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé, Audi A5 Sportback, BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, Volkswagen CC , Volkswagen Arteon , Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class , Aston Martin Rapide , and Porsche Panamera . Car dealership A car dealership , or car dealer ,
7200-512: Was described within the large Ambassador sales brochure. The Ambassador's standard features and options also came on the Marlin. The interiors continued to offer premium materials and fittings, including wood-grain trim, and were the same as on the Ambassador 990 and DPL two-door hardtop models (with the exception of the "Custom" package that had two matching pillows) that "rival more expensive cars for luxury and quality, yet are durable enough to take years of normal wear." Many Marlins were ordered with
7290-413: Was due to effective marketing. No longer satisfied with "standard" cars the market moved into new segments that included pony cars , muscle cars , and personal luxury cars . Many were heavily restyled derivatives of volume models and shared common parts. Moreover, they were image builders and big profit generators for their automakers. The objective of the Marlin was to move AMC in this direction. However,
7380-612: Was introduced eliminating the previous torque tube design. Motor Trend magazine's road test of the Marlin with the 343 engine reported zero to 60 mph in 9.6 seconds, and ran a 17.6-second quarter-mile at 82 mph (132 km/h) with two passengers aboard, which was comparable to the performance of a Dodge Charger with a 383 cu in (6.3 L). Fuel economy with the 280 hp V8 averaged 15.3 mpg ‑US (15.4 L/100 km; 18.4 mpg ‑imp ) city and 17.6 mpg ‑US (13.4 L/100 km; 21.1 mpg ‑imp ) highway, while with
7470-628: Was made larger and more expensive for the 1967 model year. It was now built on AMC's completely redesigned 118 in (2,997 mm) wheelbase "senior" platform, i.e. the AMC Ambassador chassis. The retooling for 1967 design changes that were mostly to the "senior" line of AMC cars (Ambassador, Marlin, Rebel) cost $ 35 million. (US$ 328,676,923 in 2023 dollars) The overall length of the new Marlin's body increased by 6.5 inches (165 mm) with more rear seat legroom, as well as being wider resulting in 2.2 inches (56 mm) of additional interior room, but in
7560-403: Was not yet widely available in the U.S.). Only 221 Marlins were built without a radio. 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 US$ 3,100 (US$ 29,972 in 2023 dollars), compared with $ 3,063 for a bench seat (six-passenger) version of
7650-420: Was part of the "cool" car sales pie that featured sporty cars with "the popular fastback silhouette". The Ambassador chassis allowed for a longer hood that harmonized better with its fastback rear end, and the body was given a less angular appearance. A bright trim strip from the door opening to the rear bumper accentuates the slightly kicked-up " coke bottle " profile of the rear fenders. The front end shared
7740-485: Was partly a result of customers' diminishing confidence in the financial health of the automaker under Abernethy's leadership, partly confusion caused by AMC's move away from its loyal "economy" customer market segments into segments dominated by the domestic "Big Three" (GM, Ford, and Chrysler), and partially a reflection of cannibalism of its potential market by the successful introduction of the Javelin. Buyers did not turn to
7830-480: Was previewed on the 1964 Rambler Tarpon show car, based on the compact Rambler American . The 1965 and 1966 model year production Marlins were fastback versions of the mid-sized two-door hardtop Rambler Classic , and 1967 brought a major redesign in which the car was given the new, longer AMC Ambassador full-sized chassis . This version had a longer hood and numerous improvements, including more interior room and new V8 engines. As American prosperity increased in
7920-418: Was spent to develop a new V8 engine family and AMC turned to "competitive events as a means of knocking down its avidly gathered reputation for economy." Although the Marlin was discontinued in 1967, it paved the way for a successful replacement—the 1968 AMC Javelin , a true Pony car. Therefore, the Marlin's introduction in 1965 can be viewed as stopgap marketing move by AMC, influenced by the company's lack of
8010-462: Was the 290 cu in (4.8 L) with a 2-barrel carburetor, while a pair of 343 cu in (5.6 L) V8s were optional: a 2-barrel that ran on regular-fuel, as well as a high-compression (10.2:1) premium-fuel version with a 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust that produced 280 hp (209 kW; 284 PS) at 4800 rpm and 365 pound-feet (495 N⋅m) of torque at 3000 rpm. An entirely new four-link, trailing-arm rear suspension system
8100-446: Was the first post-war Japanese fastback, and the 1958 Subaru 360 was the first kei fastback. The Prince Skyline 1900 Sprint was developed by Prince Motor Company in 1963, but was never marketed. Afterwards, all Japanese automakers adopted the fastback style, with the 1967 Honda N360 , 1968 Nissan Sunny Coupe, 1968 Mazda Familia Rotary Coupe, 1970 Suzuki Fronte "Sting Ray Look" , and 1971 Daihatsu Fellow Max . From
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