Rambler Tarpon
| Rambler Tarpon | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | American Motors Corporation (AMC) |
| Designer |
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| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Concept car |
| Body style | 2-door fastback |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | AMC Straight-6 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 106 in (2,692 mm) |
| Length | 180 in (4,572 mm) |
| Height | 52.5 in (1,334 mm) |
The Rambler Tarpon was a concept car, a sporty youth-oriented 2 plus 2 hardtop coupé developed in 1963 by American Motors Corporation (AMC). The bright red with black roof design study made its public debut 1964 Chicago Auto Show and served to foretell the fastback design elements of the larger Rambler Marlin that was introduced in 1965.
The Tarpon was an "aquatically-named" design study for a small rear-wheel drive two-door monocoque pillarless hardtop. Characteristic was its sleek sloping fastback roof that narrowed as it met the rear bumper. The Tarpon featured two large and deep taillights that flowed down from the shoulders of the rear fender. The show car was finished in red with a black vinyl roof accenting its clean shape from the windshield back to almost the rear bumper. The smooth roofline was unbroken by the almost horizontal rear window. In a 1991 book about collectible cars, automotive historian Richard M. Langworth described the Tarpon's sweeping roofline and "roughly elliptical side window openings suited the American's handsome lines to a T, and the pretty well-proportioned fastback looked a natural for showroom sale." However, there was no trunk lid or outside hatch to access the cargo area.
The Tarpon concept "generated much excitement at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International) convention in January 1964." The concept was shown with the designers worked on a cutaway profile of the car on stage. The Tarpon then generated wide public interest as it toured the auto show circuit starting in January 1964. Its semi-boat tail roof design was accented with black vinyl first appeared at the Chicago Auto Show. It was well received at the automobile shows before the so-called "pony car" market segment was established. The Tarpon appeared together with the Mustang II (a concept design shown before the production version was unveiled) at the 1964 New York International Auto Show.
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Wikipedia