While out at the Daytona International Speedway last weekend I spotted a rare Florida Marlin and thought I would share it with my fellow Hoons.
I have only seen a couple of these in recent memory and this one is dropdead gorgeous.
It’s a 1966 AMC Marlin in what may be Brisbane Blue with the optional vinyl top that extends from the front windshield to almost all the way to the rear bumper.
It even has vinyl inserts around the rear side windows.
With the possible exception of the aftermarket wheels, this rare fastback appears to be in restored stock condition.
Even that vinyl top is pristine.
And the interior was just as nice.
And should any of my fellow Hoons forget what they are driving while behind the wheel of this Fastback, just take a look at the dash for a couple of hints.
Again, all in all though, a super clean rare fastback for our viewing pleasure this Hooniverse Fastback Friday.
*yeah, I was at that inaugural Marlins game way back when and that is my scan of the program I still own. Still trying to figure out why?
Hooniverse Fastback Friday: The Florida Marlin Edition
By LongRoofian
Apr 1, 2011
By LongRoofian
No biography of the LongRoofian would be complete without [edited for length and adherence to subject matter] and your continued enjoyment of these ramblings is certainly welcome.
Mercedes Lilienthal 
Kamil Kaluski
If i wanted a Marlin, I'd look for the ultra-rare 1967 version. The longer Ambassador nose gives it better proportions, the slightly curvy body is a better match with the fastback roof, and the single window trim makes it look cleaner.
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/1967_AMC_Marlin_white_CZ.jpg/800px-1967_AMC_Marlin_white_CZ.jpg" width="500/">
'67 was definitely an improvement. And I always liked how AMC tried to market intermediates with extra wheelbase ahead of the cowl as a "fullsize" car. That said, the '67-'69s were rather attractive in a clean, simple way. Too bad AMC continually wasted its money on duds like two generations of Marlin, rather than allowing its bread and butter lines to rot on the vine.
To me the '65-'66 Marlins were badly proportioned. The front end was too short for the car and the double trim around the windows made the rear look even heavier and bulkier than it already was. Richard Teague intended the Marlin for the compact American platform, and it could have been a Mustang/Barracuda challenger in 1965. However, AMC management insisted that the fastback be put on the bigger Classic chassis, and the Marlin ended up being something of a sales flop. Then AMC – which was in financial trouble in the mid-'60s – wasted more money on the '67 Marlin redesign. Nobody wanted the '67 and only around 2,500 were built. In all my years car watching, I've never seen a '67 Marlin on the street.
Ah yes…there are some lovely lines on that one but My Dear Sunshine State Fellow Hoon…I will see your '67 Marlin and raise you with 'a 70 Rebel….
<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k34_LBnFkRU/TZZ4F_17OII/AAAAAAAAPEk/nNgGufJVBrU/s1600/1 028.jpg" width="600" end>
Wait….What is that in the background? Holy Crap Batman did I miss something spectacular? By the way, what is that kink in the rear window of that Rebel called?
That looks like a two-tone Marlin back there. Very, very nice – beautiful color combo. Some would call the Rebel kink a Hofmeister kink but that's not really a true one because there's no break or big downsweep along the top of the side windows before the "kink". This is a true Hofmeister.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3496060604_1748aa2ddc.jpg">
By the way, BMW didn't invent the Hofmeister. Studebaker had it in the late '30s, GM used it on the late '40s sedanets, and Mopar had it on some '50s two-doors.
<img src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/1938-studebaker-state-president-coupe-1.jpg" width=400>
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2688/4124560650_8aa18bbd95.jpg" width=400>
Of course, I stand corrected on the kink…I actually had not even heard of it prior to that fateful post last year…
And, yes, like the total idiot I am, I passed right by that 67 Marlin to see the Rebel, which was a memory from my youth…
but know, Gary Kelly from Deltona, 1/2 way between here and MickeyMouseLand is just a phone call, and a blog post away…
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VbEWo1jCvVo/TZaNx44v4oI/AAAAAAAAPEo/LEI_x-EMzi0/s1600/67.jpg" width = 600 end>
A feature on that '67 would be really great.
Dolphin skin interior, clearly.
I have always liked the Marlins, they are just so damn curvacious.
I always thought the marlin was a rambler trying to escape a black hole. Barely making it, with it's butt being sucked away into time and space, but making it.
If you ever come across the owner of a 66-67 Dodge Charger, be sure to tell him "nice Marlin".
MT did exactly that test head-to-head ('67s).
And here is the test online… http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_67…
a friend of mine has one of each.
I never got into muscle cars. When I was a proto-hoon, it was all about numbers; the vaunted quarter-mile times just didn't seem that impressive. I had no idea of the massive potential the big blocks held for tuning. But with your help and support, I've been able to develop an appreciation and pick out actual favorites. And the Marlin is way up there.
Hope Junior doesn't flick that booger he is picking on the Marlin. (see pic of rear seat)
Too bad the Marlin wasn't built on the American chassis, like Dick Teague intended. To make matters worse, AMC president Roy Abernethy ordered that the roofline be raised for improved headroom while Teague was abroad.
Either way, the car probably wouldn't have been successful. The original fastback Barracuda and Charger were pretty unsuccessful as well.
There was a dumbass here who had a nice survivor Marlin, the thing ran and drove nicely. It had the normal Arizona patina, no cancer or major dings. I wanted that car badly. Of course, he wrecked it. Too bad about that.
Track him down. I'll come down and kick his ass with you.
An old man down the street from me had a Marlin sitting in driveway for years during my childhood. As soon as I turned 16 I had every intention of going down and asking to buy it, but alas, it was gone by my 15th.