Showdown: Aquaman Needs a Muscle Car Edition

1968 Plymouth Barracuda for sale1967 AMC Marlin for sale

Our last Showdown remains a three way shuffle between the Viper, Pantera and 308. As of right now, the Pantera’s got the Ferrari by 2 votes.

Widely regarded as the lamest of superheros, Aquaman’s on land image could probably get a bump if he had a bitchin’ ride. Given all the options out there, we know it would eventually come down to these two: a Marlin and a Barracuda. The ‘Cudda sports a 4 speed and a 340, while the Marlin’s got a 343, power everything, AC and, well, it’s a Marlin!

1968 Plymouth Barracuda for sale1968 Plymouth Barracuda for sale

The ‘Cuda’s your standard bitchin min-muscle: 340c.i., 4-barrel, 4-speed, posi, headers, and not much else. The paint and interior look pretty dang good. We’re guessing the current $3700 bid is a ways away from the unmet reserve. Still, if he’s trying to make a triumphant return after being laughed out the of local drive-in in his fishy spandex outfit, the ‘Cuda would definitely make an impression. eBay Motors

1967 AMC Marlin for sale1967 AMC Marlin for sale

With the exception of the Amphicar, few vehicles look so dang aquatic as the Marlin. This one’s taking things even more literally with the a white and light blue paint job. AMC only made about 2500 Marlins in ’67, and this one was top-spec in it’s day: 343c.i., 4 barrel, power steering, brakes and AC. Inside it’s got bucket seats and a console. Things look a little rough in there, but it’s mostly just a need for carpet. As opposed to the Barracuda, which has benefited (suffered, really) from being elevated to an ivory tower, the Marlin’s pretty much forgotten. The upside? At $2700, the reserve’s already met.

[poll id=”19″]

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23 responses to “Showdown: Aquaman Needs a Muscle Car Edition”

  1. acarr260 Avatar

    I like the Marlin, but it just doesn't seem to have enough chutzpah for a super hero… certainly not enough to offset the whole wearing tights thing.

    1. jjd241 Avatar

      Maybe this will make up for the tights…http://tinyurl.com/25l52ve

      1. acarr260 Avatar

        Much more appropriate.

    2. Maymar Avatar

      It doesn't seem befitting a superhero, but it seems just right for Aquaman.

  2. lilwillie Avatar

    Marlin all the way. No way you'd waste a gear grabber on that super hero.

  3. P161911 Avatar

    If they were the same price I'd have to go with the 'cuda that is one of my favorite styled Mopar muscle cars, and the 340 is probably the best of the small block Mopar V-8s, but for at least a grand cheaper you can't beat the Marlin.

  4. muthalovin Avatar

    'Cuda, FTW. I am biased though, since my family's car hold has 2 in it. Both non-functional currently, but enough rear glass to whet the appetite of a hundred meth-heads.

  5. tonyola Avatar

    I don't like the mismatched rear trim panel on the Barracuda – it really looks cheesy. As for the Marlin, it looks like someone has been fiddling with the color scheme – I could be wrong, but I thought all Marlins had a black roof and trunk lid, though this two-tone does look attractive. Though the Barracuda is the more competent and desirable of the two (I would prefer the fastback, though), the Marlin is a genuinely rare beast. Not only was the '67 the best-looking and cleanest of the Marlin breed, this was the only year it was built on the larger Ambassador platform. If only 2,500 of the '67s were built, how many can there be left? What few that were purchased have probably rusted away by now in classic old AMC fashion. This one looks to be in quite good shape. Buy it and you'll never have to worry about seeing one just like yours on the street.

    1. Mike_the_Dog Avatar
      Mike_the_Dog

      The black vinyl roof and deck lid were an extra-cost option. Personally I hate all but a very few vinyl tops (Mopar Paisley Mod Top f'rinstance), so its lack is actually a plus. I have to wonder if that slushbox is a Borg-Warner Flash-O-Matic. Those were air-cooled and prone to failure in hot climates. Funny story: A guy once told me in all (ignorant) sincerity that the Ramber Marlin was nothing but a blatant disingenuous ripoff of the '67 Charger. I mocked him roundly and advised him to read up before speaking on the subject again.

  6. CptSevere Avatar

    The Marlin, most definitely. I have nothing at all against Barracudas, mind you, but Marlins are just way too rare and funky. There was some clown here who had a Marlin, a typical Arizona survivor. Kinda faded, surface rust, but it was all there, and ran fine. The dumbass wrecked it, of course. That pissed me off. It's nice to see one in this kind of condition, and the price is reasonable.

  7. Alff Avatar

    I always pictured Aquaman in a Subcompact.

    1. mdharrell Avatar

      <img src="http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andy.carter/images/pictures/60.JPG&quot; width="300" />
      I always figured he would find the Trident aPeeling.
      Wow, sorry, the Peel's a cool car but that joke's nearly as sad as Aquaman himself.

  8. Maymar Avatar

    I've now got Heart's Barracuda going through my head right now, so I guess that gives away my answer. I love me some Marlin, and that's a good deal, but the 4-speeds, 340, and non-E-Body Cuda's ultra-tempting.

  9. Tomsk Avatar

    I do like second-gen 'Cudas (particularly the notchbacks), but you'd be the only Marlin at most car shows, even ones with lots of other AMCs.
    The downside, of course, is all the Philistines who walk by and say "Nice Charger!", but such is life.

  10. muthalovin Avatar

    Mopar? More like MoPAH!
    /sorry

  11. soo΄pәr-bādd75 Avatar

    What we have here is a Barracuda, the 'Cuda came a couple years later. I don't care how lame Aquaman is as a superhero, the fact remains that as a superhero he is above your average Joe in ability. Therefore, his car must be above average as well, and the Marlin is an average car at best. Sure, this one looks to be in nice shape, and its price is a pretty nice bargain, but the Barracuda befits a hero. Besides, if he needs a little boost in coolness, the Marlin isn't going to get him there. The Barracuda will take him beyond cool into downright grrovy. So I say, "ooooh, Barracuda."

  12. gearhead_318 Avatar
    gearhead_318

    Mopar or no car.

  13. AteUpWithMotor Avatar
    AteUpWithMotor

    I'd be really torn with the Marlin. On one hand, the '67s are very rare, so it would be smart to keep it stock. On the other,

    1. AteUpWithMotor Avatar
      AteUpWithMotor

      Ack — on the other hand, a 401 and TorqueFlite would make it a much more interesting proposition.

  14. buzzboy Avatar
    buzzboy

    Too bad the marlin isn't the Twin Stick, then things may change.

  15. Mike_the_Dog Avatar

    I really don't think I need to say which one I'd pick (or maybe I do…) The Barracuda for Aquadude, and that sweet, sweet Marlin for yours truly. If I wasn't unemployed, nearly broke and already supporting two AMCs, I'd be making buying my plane ticket to San Diego instead of writing this comment.

  16. Mike_the_Dog Avatar

    @ Mad_Science: I thought that MoPar looked familiar…
    https://hooniverse.com/blog/2010/05/01/streetwalke

    1. Tim Odell Avatar
      Tim Odell

      Ha!
      So apparently it's right by Jeff's place.