Amazing that the Marina came out a year AFTER the Citroen GS (I think). The Marina was never going to be fantastic, but it was fairly roomy and had a massive boot. It was a 'Ronseal' car - it moved people and luggage from one place to another, adequately. Both engines were surprisingly economical, and the 1.8 was no slouch. Undeniably very simple and easy and cheap to maintain and fix - despite all the nay-sayers, it actually sold rather well.
I have to say, I have been waiting for this one! Great info as always Steph. I do have to make a couple of comments though. My first car was a 1.3 saloon version from 1973. I was 18 and passed my test in it in 1976. At the time it was not what could be seen as an old car. I was lucky in having a Dad that was an aircraft engineer, so I was brought up learning how to fix and maintain, something that was a constant in my Marina. Rust, as with most cars in this era, was a major issue. As for the day to day, it was as reliable, but totally dependant on the effort needed to keep it so. Handling was poor to say the least. It had lever arm front suspension which never did that good a job. The brakes introduced me to the effect of brake fade, but fortunately it was not really quick enough for that to be unmanageable! My only real breakdowns were due to the mechanical fuel pump, twice! and a gearbox, thanks to reconditioned parts, always plenty available in those days for the Marina, along with my Dad's skills, it was fixable. I eventually gave the car to my Brother when I bought a Mk3 Cortina 2000e, the definition of chalk and cheese! But for me, my Marina will always be special, I passed my test in it, broke it, several times, fixed it, most days and created some incredible memories. Andrew
Funny I never bought Fords because we used Cortinas and Escorts as company cars and they went through engines and gearboxes as if they were wear and tear items. Later when I bought my own cars I bought a 1978 Mk2 Marina 1.8 HL/TC that was an excellent fast reliable car. It had the uprated anti rolls bars etc of the later models and the lever arms were fine as long as they were looked after and not worn out. There wasnt any problems with the mechanical fuel pumps and still isnt with these engines but there was a problem if they were not fitted right because the lever on the fuel pump was meant to be slotted into a groove when it was fitted and many people did not know that and just fitted the pump which would fail so many miles later when the lever got snapped off and the the pump failed to work. I never had any problems with my gearbox and I drove my Marina hard and fast all the time back then. I would still have owned that Marina today had it not been written off when a woman just drove out from a junction with looking when someone else waiting to turn across her waived her on. I replaced that Marina with a 1980 Allegro 1750 TC Equipe whch was also an excellent reliable car and my mother had a 1978 Allegro 1500 LE at the same time and my brother had a 1976 I think it was 2.0 GXL Mk3 Cortina and the keys from both the Allegros could open and start the Cortina. The Allegros actually had more room in them than the Cortina especially in the back and were far more reliable than it as well. The Cortina got written off as it got stolen from outside our house just I arrived home and we chased after it in my Equipe and because they couldnt get away from that Allegro they drove through a wooded bit and rammed it through a chain link fence and into the side of the whisky bond building that used to be near where we lived at the time. My brother was glad to see the back of that Cortina and get his insurance pay out and he moved to Denmark where he has lived ever since and I wish I still had that Marina and Allegro today.
My first car (bought for me) was a white 1972 1.3 super deluxe saloon late 87 to 88. It was a bit tatty and had a fair sized hole in the side part of the boot. Not quite my favourite, but even at that point it was a reasonable car. It went well enough. Not the best handling, but fairish even then. The revs had got a bit high so I turned the idle speed down. Found some rust on the throttle return spring. I cleaned it of and the revs dropped right down. About 150 rpm. The engine wouldn't die though. 😊
I brought my tc coupe to Namibia when i emigrated. Its Teal blue with a limeflower interior. I love the 'wind your neck in', so true. A and B series engines, so reliable. As for the 'o' series, very smooth and in 2.0 auto form in the Ital, surprisingly quick. Im so pleased with your enthusiasm. Best regards.
when i see a marina coupe, i always remember sid james in carry on at your convenience, when his budgie started picking the winning horses, what did he treat himself to ? a marina coupe! brilliant.
Did my apprenticeship with bl. 40 years ago. Drove marinas in the 70s/80s. Recently got another . 1974 MK1 , 1800 coupe. . 17000. Genuin MLS . Love it . It's a keeper .
Another wonderful video that was a pleasure to watch, thanks Steph! I had a 1.3 Marina in 1987/8 as a £30 (with full MoT) stop-gap car. It had a terrible water leak that flooded the floors (defective door seals), the clutch juddered violently, the prop shaft vibrated badly because it was out of balance, but it used to get me about reasonably well. I fixed up all the rust, resprayed it and it looked great, I put in lots of upgrade parts from newer/posher Marinas and Itals (scrapyards were full of them) but one day on the M1 the gearbox went and the Marina became a marooner! Bought a posh 3 year old Maestro 1.6HL to replace it, but I had happy memories of my Marina and "marginal motoring" fun on a shoe string budget. By the way, the single wipe was called flick wipe, the Japanese called it mist function. 1.8 MK1 Marinas had a rev counter but 1.3s didn't.
I had 2 marinas,1 in autumn green HYU73K 1.3L and 1 in inca yellow (with vinyl roof) LBY945V 1.3HL.......had both for about 11 years in total, never had a problem apart from a bit of rust on the wheel arches and around the top of the headlights (usual places on them),the yellow one used to get covered in insects in summer thinking it was a flower! in the end,i swapped the yellow one for a new washing machine with my cousin! haha happy days!great vid as usual Steph!
Here in New Zealand I owned an Australian built Morris Marina 2.6litre straight six. The manual ones only came with a three speed. Mine was auto and such fun and fast. The engine was heavy so the handling was hopeless. My second Marina was a 1981 series 3 1700. It was very comfortable. I do love the coupe but the best and most useful was the 1800cc estate
The 6 cylinder Marina was not a good idea, they were designed to compete against GM's 6 cylinder Torana, Ford's 6 cylinder Cortina and Chrysler's 6 cylinder Centura. The Marina 6 was a poor handling car. The Marina lacked a lot of the gismos and features of the equivalent Japanese cars too.
I remember seeing thousands of these things thrashed up and down the motorways of the UK, accumulating millions of miles. Don't recall seeing the hard shoulder lettered with broken down examples A much maligned car, but in truth was as capable as many contemporary cars of its time.
The only "real" issues with it was the Medevil suspension system from the Minor which even by 1971 standards was antiquated and knackered the handling. Suppose alot of other contemporary cars of the day were no better and to be frank the Escort and Viva certainly wouldn't have been unless ye were on about the sporty ones. Prob just the hit and miss quality control really hurt it, as was the case with many similar cars back then aswell My dad had an Allegro Vandan Plas, no joke he went over a bump one day and the whole engine fell out 😅😅😅😅
@Samspianopage I’m going to hop on and say it’s not the same suspension as a Morris Minor, you can’t use the Minor parts on them. I wish. It would make life a lot easier.
@@idriveaclassic Ah right didny know that I always thought it used Trunions like the Minor. No expert on car suspension really I don't drive I just like ma cars. I think I read somewhere they had to change the front camber either at the last minute before it launched when it was factory tested or, after it launched cu it was soo dangerous ye could end up on the other side of the road LOL I might be wrong so don't quote us. Fella I used to live just round the corner from had 2 Marinas, think he prob might still have em. My dad's got a 1971 Austin Aprite Mk IV, prob alot of similar parts used the A-Series engine obv and of course alot of Marina bits were used on other cars inc the door handles on the Lotus Esprit, Land Rover Discovery Series 1 (we had one LOL) and Range Rover Classic.
I had a Marina 1.8 was painter and decorating in the city of London was doing Night's in office blocks and occasional Houses on the days and the boot was a nice size for all my tools paint and paper all in the boot and Never had a problem my mate's cars were getting broken into all the time never touched mine it served me well for about 6-7 years then traded it in and got my money back money wise it had normal servicing i did myself but apart from that a great little motor brings back memory's i had a Mustard colour people said was standard so yeah thanks steph for your review i'm enjoying your Idriveaclassic channel and i am getting through them bit by bit trouble is they are a bit addictive i watch one then another and then i think i have to be somewhere but just one more but that's my choice lol, Your a lovely bubbly young lady and keep up the good work there are plenty of classics about maybe NOT of a particular make and model but i have had lots of cars and so far you have reviewed five of mine Marina, Capri, XJ6 Jag, MK 3 Escort Two door hatch, Nissan Bluebird, so hope to see more and looking forward to next one i am out of sync not in order so apology's for my comments not being at time you have posted your video's, Once again thanks for your review's of the cars we had , Wanted to have , & cars out of our reach and sadly disappearing forever Cheer's.
Great review Steph and your enthusiasm is infectious! I owned 1973 L plate Marina 1.3 coupe between 1979 and 1982, my Dad then took it over and ran it until 1985 when the rust finally got the better of it. It was harvest gold with the same colour interior as the one in the review. Mine was pretty reliable, though the drum brakes did require some caution (I learned to drive in a Ford 100E so drum brakes held no fears for me ). I really liked mine and yes, the seats were very comfortable.
What a lovely old Marina. They've definitely grown on me. Just missed a Harvest Gold one, four door automatic. 500 quid. Kicking myself. Another cracking video.
Maintenance was a Sunday morning, everyone pulled their cars out the garage by its rear bumper checked levels , tyres, greacepoints , every car had a oily rag pushed down the side of its battery, social gathering all lost in time as now some people drive families around with tyres I would not have on a wheel barrow..😲
Brilliant review, I remember these cars well, there was 1000s on the road in the 70s, they seemed to be every where! We had a Violet one, with yellow head lights, its looked stunning. I loved those days, cars had enormous character, and always had that lovely car smell from the seats and plastics. If not for all the salt and grit on the road, reliability would of been so much better. Cheers!
My first road-legal car was an Ital 1.7 SLX, the top-of-the-range model. They kept developing it right to the end, mine was a series 2 which meant that it got things like parabolic leaf springs and telescopic shock absorbers. All my friends commented on how comfortable it was. My first two cars (not road-legal) were both Hillman Avengers, which I think are much better cars, but the Marina and Ital are perfectly serviceable vehicles, and I'd happily have another one.
Now I am looking back at my time in life , its great to see you youngsters keeping the dreams alive , it gives me hope that the classic scene is alive and well ;-)
Bought my mums old 1974 MK1 Marina Coupe 1.8 Super in Aconite with brown interior and used from 1983 to 85. I had loads of issues with part failures and the mileage was around 78k but did it go and as my first car I'll always remember it with great fondness.
I also had one of the 2.6 OHC 6 cylinder ones. I bought it as a tired cheapy with a dodgy clutch. The 3 speed manuals in the six cylinder cars had a dreadful gearchange too. I replaced the gearbox with a used auto transmission from a wreck. Also fitted tubular shocks on the front which greatly improved the handling. It wasn't a wonderful car but I enjoyed it. People now say the handling of the 2.6 was terrible due to the extra weight in front, but the 2.6 OHC 6 cylinder engine weighed less than the original UK 1.8 that wasn't fitted to Marinas in Australia. The 6 cylinder cars had upgraded rear suspension, too, to reduce axle tramp. Most of the knockers have never driven one. On the other hand, my mum drove a 1.5 deluxe base model for a couple of years and it really was a dog. They did make a few duds...
I got quite excited when I spotted there was a 1980s Metro in the background and thought what a coincidence to have another classic nearby. Then it dawned on me that the Metro is in fact your daily car!
Good points about reliability. I had a 1.3 Coupe and, later, a 1.8 TC saloon. Neither car ever let me down in terms of starting and then getting me to my destination. They were prone to minor issues though - possibly build quality not that great. Both cars had leaky windscreens and I had problem with speedos, heaters, stuff like that. Felt an opportunity was missed by BL. Better build quality and it would have been a great workhorse.
I was brought up on the outskirts of a village and I always remember the postman used to bring our mail in a Marina van and in later years an Ital van.
It is great to see such a well loved car being reviewed and also enjoyed by its owner. To all those people who have posted negative comments, that Marina is still here, it is still going and it attracts more attention than such petty minded people with puerile comments ever will.
Have you actually driven one? I suffered a new one in the late 70's......and from experience it was awful. Hence my negative comment.....there was nothing nice about it.
Great to see a surviving Marina. My dad bought a new one in 1972 when I was a teenager. It was a lovely car at the time - with nicer interior than the Cortina of the same era! It was his first new car and pride and joy!
Yes Steph, the 6 Cylinder Marinas had so much torque that they could haul themselves out of a mine shaft which was just as well as some manuals were 3 speed only!!! Always love your vids and your get ups are always so retro and cool. Love it!
The Marina was seen a replacement for the Morris Minor, it these days, lacks the nostalgic appeal of the Minor although it was more sophisticated. It lacked the features of the equivalent Japanese cars too.
I understand your appreciation of this car and BL cars, and thank you for presenting these cars, Steph. The Marina has a similar fate as many other "bread and butter" cars here in the USA as well. Something that was common in the day frequently did not get the cherished treatment. I first remember seeing an ad for the Austin Marina (US market) and very much liking its clean styling, but I don't think I ever saw one "in the metal".
I love the enthusiasm you have for the Marina and all BL products. You are absolutely right they were nowhere near as bad as people make out my father had three back in the day all bought brand new. He had a series 1 1.3 Coupé which was beset with incurable dash rattles and squeaks and a steering vibration which took the dealer forever to sort out. Mum hated that car mainly because it only had two doors so when dad went away on business in early 1977 she went and chopped it in for a series 2 4 door 1.8 Special, that was a lovely car which was changed in 1983 for an Ital 2.0 estate. In my opinion the series 2 marinas were probably the best of the type. I must take issue with you about the handling particularly on those early cars, if you were trying to push on they suffered terrible understeer that said do you really buy a car like a Marina if you want to drive it like a sports car? The problem was if you went into a bend too quick by mistake a Marina was much more likely to dump you in the ditch than the contemporary Escort or Cortina. The series 2 cars were much better as they had stiffer roll bars. Like you I am a big fan of BL products and would love either a series 2 Marina HL or a Princess 2200. Keep up the good work it's good to see younger people like yourself and Twin Cam so enthusiastic about a marque which even today isn't considered cool. In all honesty the cars weren't that good but I think that applies to most seventies cars but they are still part of our motoring heritage.
Back in 1992/93, Dad had an Allegro 1100 and then followed by a 1300 HL Marina. Both were very good little cars. Yes they did have their problems but they were ‘end of life’ cars back then. Very happy and fond memories of them! Great review Steph!
Just found this video☺ I own a 1980 saloon custom 1800 t/c Brown and cream paint work with brown vinyl roof, chrome wolfrace slot mags, triumph dolomite dash, custom chrome gear stick topped with chromed piston, custom tube three spoke steering wheel and to top it off bonnet scoop ( just for looks) with brown and cream air brushed flames. Total 70s style! Drives like a dream and peoples faces when you overtake are hilarious!😂 Cheers Steph your videos are great.
My first car was a Marina 1.3 coupé. Watch for water leaks under the carpets in the front footwells! 👍🏻 Mine never had a rev counter. 😥 The 1.8 did have a handling issue, but after the early modification it was nowhere near as bad as some people (such as Jeremy Clarkson) claim. I should say "claimed" (past tense) - I'd forgotten he got sacked! 🤣
I had a Mk2 Marina 1.8 HL/TC that was an excellent fast and reliable car and those had uprated anti roll bars and suspension but you still had to watch the back end in the wet but plenty of other cars were like that as well at the time such as the Capri and Cortina as well and they had supposed better suspension as well. Never listened to clowns such as Clarkston because he was only a journalist passing on his crap opinion that he heard from other peoples opinion and he didnt have a clue what end of a spanner was from the other as well.
Steph, My first car was a Marina 1.8 Super, not the coupe tho'. It was a bluey turquoise colour, usual rusty places but I LOVED it. It was always reliable, used to have to use a clothes peg on the choke as it would'nt stay out on its own. That was back in '93/'94 there were still loads of them around then. I had Ital's later as well...... Keep up the great work!
Great review as always Steph, love your channel. Great to see all the cars I remember from the 1970’s and 1980’s as a kid growing up. Keep up the good work. My uncle had this exact same model.
I love your presentation style. I also love this Marina. They’re much better than their reputation suggests I think. Bless you in all your endeavours. Pete UK
Dead right Steph, using a classic as an every day car does make them more reliable. They're machines that were designed to be used. Lovely honest Marina by the way. Many thanks.
Great Video Steff. I love Marinas my Dad had a 1.8 Est in the 70s i had 2 in the late 80s both 1.3 Delux. The Marina was no worse than any other car that came out at the time and i loved driving mine wished i still owned it. Tell your friend to keep his Trunions well greased Kenol Marine grease works great!
To think back in the day these cars were everywhere. I remember them well. The coupe is a good looking car! My brother bought a Marina van as a project in the early 90's. I sneaked a drive in it and loved it!
My brother had a blue one of these. Only time he let me near the keys was when he broke his ankle at a festival in Bridlington. My Dad and I went from Manchester to bring him home, so my first (and only) drive in it was quite a trip! Smashing little motor, but I still prefer my moggies!
OMG. This has got a thumbs up already and I'm still watching the ads. I'm sure it will be a great video. Edit - it was. My Dad had a 1.3 coupe (LJC764R) when I was young. Then I bought a 1.3 mustard coupe in the 80s (Mk 2) and then after that a 1700HL in red complete with a black vinyl roof (oooh hark at me). I'd kill for one now. I'm sure Steph, you don't mind me mentioning Morris McKinnon on YT who does a great job saving old Marinas.
Hi Steph. Great review. I've watched this video a few times, but never noticed until Twin-Cam pointed it out, they used the saloon's front doors on the coupe. Freaky. I can't unsee this now.
Wow,you've finally driven one of my favourite cars I had a 1975 n REG 1300 Base but l loved it blue in colour went everywhere when it worked didn't like winter but l think it's a bonny looking car and l liked the interea lots of orange, and plastics l had it for quite a few years and your video bought back many good memories thank you Steph
Intermittent? I'm going to start calling it the Occasional wipers! I had a brand new Marina van 1981, fantastic memories. I jacked up the rear and put a 6 foot Avanti moonraker on the roof making it about 11 feet tall! I once tied fire works to the top which impressed a girl so much she became my wife, yes we are still together. Great video yet again Steph'. All the best.
Sold as the “Austin Marina” here in America, British Leyland only managed to sell about 28,000 of them during the two model years (1974 and 1975) that it was available here. It was available in Canada, however, until the 1978 model year. We got only the 1.8 engine; I assume the 1.3 couldn’t have handled our emissions requirements. I saw a blue Austin Marina coupe for sale online not too long ago. The seller claimed that “less than 24” Austin Marinas remain on American roads.
We had 1.3 super saloon and that interior takes me back. Ours had an electrical problem that was intermittent. Never got to the bottom of it tbh. Long trips were very comfortable though. Love the horn test!!
Great presenter and video and fantastic to see such a true, and rare, classic actually being used and as a daily. And - all hail the (Driver's) Handbook!
Yous mentioned in Austin Allegro video that ""Marina is your fav car"", lol more than that video i sensed that you loved reviewing this car!! There is much difference between Allegro video and this one!! Always enjoyed your videos!! ❤️
Great video do like the marina coupe getting very rare I used to own a marina pick up. Great information love the part when you said wind your neck in it has the same engine as the mgb keep up your good work
Thoroughly enjoy your videos Steph. I drove an estate version back in around 1980. It has pride of place in being the worst handling car I have ever driven in my entire life. Outdated lever arm suspension. Compared to Fords of the time is was dreadful. No wonder so few are left
Great video. I have a soft spot for Marina's. Back in 1980 on my 17th birthday I was allowed to drive my Dads then nearly new (one of the last) company V reg 1.3 base model on the road for the first time, I seem to recall it had a vicious clutch, or maybe it was me... I always wanted an early version for my first car, I preferred the dash on the earlier versions, on later versions the radio seemed to be pointing towards the passenger. However I ended up with a Mk1 Escort which I loved. In 1984 I got my first company car, a 1.3 Y reg Morris Ital 1.7HL, white with orange interior, boy did that fly! Sadly it died at 101k with a failed rear axle. Not the best cars, but I'd still love one today.
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Great video, Steph! Love your enthusiasm for these unfairly maligned cars. By no means a world beater but good honest motoring and to be honest a good looking three box saloon. I loved our 1.7 saloon as a kid, my brother could make it launch like a rocket! He was of the opinion it could have done with a 5 speed 'box though. I watched Hubnut's video of the straight six powered Leyland Marina... utterly gorgeous motor!
Well you must love driving your mate's car, my father had a 1975 1.3 Super back in 1977, yes it eat batteries for breakfast. But having said that when he brought an Allegro from a family friend in '87, it had a similar problem. I checked under the bonnet and found the fan belt was loose, both cars were serviced by the same garage. The Allegro was an excellent anti-car, loved driving it, sold due to buying a Humber Hawk (17RHU) another story. The Marina I found to be slightly dull, but was it terrible, I would say no. Was going to borrow someone's 1.8 TC whilst my Humber Sceptre Mk2 was off the road over 30 years ago, but alas never happened. Should have taken up my dad's offer of the car rather sticking to my Herald. Great video you would fit in well with the Goodwood Revival. Excellent.
Bought My first car in 1985 from British Car Auctions, Enfield and was a P reg Morris Marina 1.8TC Super, saloon, with servo assisted breaks. So car was around 9 years old at the time. Not sure what made it a “super” (maybe the rev counter?) but it was a good car. The TC meant “twin carb” so it had a bit of poke. We had got to the end of the auction and the Marina came through which we hadn’t seen previously, but the bidding started at £10, which immediately got our attention. So bought it for £40 in the end and drove it home up the A10 with no issues. Had the Marina for 3 years. No issues with it. Cut my teeth in the Marina in terms of driving. Sat on motorways comfortably at 70mph and had lots of holiday trips to Wales barrelling down the M4. The Marina was so sturdy and reliable it was boring. Sold it in 1988 for £200! So got my money back and more which in them days…that was called free motoring! Highly underrated car.
“Unipart means motoring luxury” - as someone who experienced the era firsthand (Dad had a polar white Marina 1.3 for a few years - always reliable, except when it wasn’t), I think you are right to be suspicious of that claim. Great vid as always, love that coat :)
A-Series and B-Series engines were always very reliable and so were these cars so usually when there are problems with them it was either crappy owners who didnt look after their cars or bought other peoples unlooked after cars or the garages etc were ripping them off saying the cars needed things done that didnt all the time. It was funny how people like me who looked after our own BL cars NEVER had any problems with them and they were very reliable and yet people who didnt had the problems and the same goes for the people who had non-BL cars as well.
My first! Marina actually was the Ozzie 2.6 l E-series. It was great. Nobody knew it was the 262. I left so many bigger and much younger cars at the lights.
I owned a Marina in 1977 it was white 4 door 1.3 brown velour interior I enjoyed owing it nothing outstanding had no issues with it other than I fitted a new alternator
I had one as my first car in 1986. I paid £450 and £300 insurance. I had to wipe the inside of the distributor cap on frosty mornings before it would start. The clutch and handbrake cable were the only things that failed. Otherwise a cheap and reliable car. Drove my mates from Southampton to Alton Towers in it without a hitch. Couldn’t do the same trip in my Maestro.
Hiya Steph :) Just wanted to say how much I agreed with a number of the points you made in the video. At 17 mins, you mentioned (words to the effect of) that if people want a museum piece then they can go to a museum and look at one. Good on ya! Could not have put it better myself. In my view, what is the point of owning a car you love if you never get to drive it? You MUST take your classics out on the road and park them where people can see them, because they DO bring smiles to to so many people's faces. At any opportunity, I have my Triumph 2500S or the Stag (when it's running) out on the road driving or off to a car meet somewhere to park it up with other classics and talk to people who 'had one many years ago' or want to see how well the cars have survived......which brings me to the next point. At 21 mins, you mentioned about the Marina getting a bad rep because of what the company was going through. Truer words have never been spoken and it wasn't just the poor old Mariner (a local epithet, meaning it should be on the end of an anchor chain) or its sister car the Austin "All-aggro". Relatives of my poor old Triumph "Snag" copped a fair bit, along with the "Dolomite-not" and a LOT of it was down to very poor quality control and a disillusioned workforce. I have seen and heard of some catastrophic failures of serious components in all BL vehicles mentioned (and others), but when they got it right, boy did they produce a good car! Your mate Joe has a great example - 140,000 miles and still going strong....but so often BL let themselves down by trying to cut corners or spending money in the wrong places on the wrong things.......or just forgetting the little things like ensuring all the casting sand is out of a Stags engine so that the water and oil capillaries do not restrict the car's lifebloods.....and it's all very easy to say what they should have done after the fact, but due care and attention to make the best of what they were told to produce, would have certainly helped to smooth over the fact the cars were not always on the cutting edge. Sounds simple, but it obviously wasn't. Oh - my Triumphs have done 191,000km / 118,700 miles (Stag) and 224,000km / 139,200 miles (2500S) and they are still quite low milage examples of some of the cars over here. Mind you, the 2500 has never had an engine rebuild - just a valve grind at 198,000km - and still doing her job well (touch wood!). The 2500S is also my daily driver - I have no modern car. She's reliable enough...... I myself love BL cars. If I could, I would own quite a few more examples than the three I have. I'd love an Allegro, an Austin 3-litre (manual), a Rover P6-S and SD1 Vitesse, a Dolomite Sprint, a TR7 and a Jaguar XJ12C and XJS for when I want a bit of opulence in my life! I wouldn't mind an MG, but it would have to be the MGC or the MGV8 (early-mid 70s) just to be different to everyone else's! My first car was an Austin A30 and I've always had a very soft spot for BMC too. You're also right in mentioning that the earlier handbooks were more comprehensive - like a "lite" version of a Haynes manual. The one I had in my 57 Mark 1 Austin A55 was about 50 pages and covered things like how to change the oil in the oil-bath air filter as well as top up the dampers, grease the speedo cable and change the gearbox / diff oil! I guess that time has proven that BL were not the complete %^%($$%&( that history has written them off as, because why else would there still be such a staunch and loyal following by so many enthusiasts......and if they were REALLY so diabolically hopeless and the cars such failures in reliability and so terrible to drive, how come so many of their cars still survive some 40-50 years down the track? I love driving my Triumphs! I love throwing them into corners under power - and they love it too, so respond with gusto and surprise many a modern driver behind (or in front) of me with their ability to keep up. I will never be without one.
It's a shame what happened to BL. Here in Australia they were building the ahead of its time Leyland P76. If it hadn't been for the problems at the parent company the car might have had a chance.
I like the Marina and I enjoyed your road test. One thing surprised me, is the mileage correct? That sounds very low given the age of the car. The M registration came out in 1973 which puts the car at 46 years old. As you said the current owner has it as a daily driver for the last 5 years. Given the wear and tear on seats etc. the car looks to have done more than just over 100,000 miles.
The coupe is especially rare now sadly. I always thought they were a great looking car. That particular one, while not being perfect, looks solid and well worth restoration when time, funds and panel availability allows. Josh Ward is a member of a vintage radio forum that I'm on. I don't think the guy ever sleeps! It seems that he spends all his time fixing and restoring old things.
Fairly popular car as I remember. We had a 1.8 four door. It was comfy to sit in and the 1.8 pulled quite well, but that's about all what was good about it! Lots of lean in cornering, looks were only a little better than the blandness that Ford offered. Would drive an early Metro over this all day long!
A friend of a friend stopped by on her way from Massachusetts to California in an Austin Marina in 1978. Never heard of it before that nor since, until now.
Thanks Steph for great review. I had one late 1973, same colour with dark maroon interior. In it's day it was quite a goer and drove it all over the UK. Only BL would make a coupe with saloon front doors.
My first car (in 1983) was a 1975 Morris Marina 1800cc, teal blue with the mustard yellow vinyl interior. Fixed it up with my Dad and drove it for four or five years. Cost 350 GBP. Never let me down. Very comfortable and spacious, and modern for the times. Loved that car!
Hi great video my dad had 2 of these cars i remember it well it was a good car iv got a 2005 Citroen c2 so not a classic but i would love a older car my favourite would be a mark one escort great video keep up with the good work
In 1985 my dad bought a 1978 marina 1.8 coupe and I think it was a special. It had the square lights on the grille. It was metallic blue with a black vynil roof. I still remember the number plate IIJ 505. I remember it fondly, though it had one or two reliability issues. It was replaced by a Fiat 131 1600 CL which in the space of 5 years rusted horrendously but only broke down once! I have been looking forward to seeing you do a marina review, I’m a bit of a fan, my sister bought me the lovely marina t shirt that I’m wearing for my TH-cam profile picture 🙂. Please grab yourself a Fiat 131 1600 CL to review some day, you’ll make this 40 something very happy 😃. The CL version sounds much better than the expensive. twin cam version in my humble opinion 🙂
Lovely vid Steph, and so nice to see your beautiful smile! I'm glad you enjoyed that Marina, as I've always thought they were very underrated cars. I think they had a bad press, due in part to the disasters that befell their mismanagement teams, and bullying from the likes of the idiot Clarkson. I've had 2 Marinas, a 1977 series 2 1300 saloon, and a 1981 series 3 1700 estate, both in Pageant Mid Blue, one of the colours that BL/Leyland Cars painted pretty much everything! But, I loved both of them! Sadly, the dreaded metal moth got the 1300, and the 1700 had a weird heating/cooling pipe that ran underneath the exhaust manifold, which I was unable to replace! :-/ I'd've loved either a TC, or a 2.0 litre though! :-)
What a great car! 😎 I like the Marina too. I prefer the later versions from the late 1970s with more black bits on it that tended to replace some chrome parts. Is it the series 2 or 3? I'm less keen on the Ital that replaced it in 1980/81, however but I'd definitely rock a late 70s Marina.
My first car (thanks Dad) was a Morris Marina coupe with a vinyl roof. Mine was metallic blue but I had it repainted fire engine red (literally) by a guy that used to work on fire engines. Hand on heart it really was the worst car I ever owned. I have also had an Allegro and it was actually a pretty good car compared to the Marina.
You've such a lovely friendly enthusiastic and polite manner. A real joy watching your channel. :)
Amazing that the Marina came out a year AFTER the Citroen GS (I think). The Marina was never going to be fantastic, but it was fairly roomy and had a massive boot. It was a 'Ronseal' car - it moved people and luggage from one place to another, adequately. Both engines were surprisingly economical, and the 1.8 was no slouch. Undeniably very simple and easy and cheap to maintain and fix - despite all the nay-sayers, it actually sold rather well.
I have to say, I have been waiting for this one! Great info as always Steph. I do have to make a couple of comments though. My first car was a 1.3 saloon version from 1973. I was 18 and passed my test in it in 1976. At the time it was not what could be seen as an old car. I was lucky in having a Dad that was an aircraft engineer, so I was brought up learning how to fix and maintain, something that was a constant in my Marina. Rust, as with most cars in this era, was a major issue. As for the day to day, it was as reliable, but totally dependant on the effort needed to keep it so. Handling was poor to say the least. It had lever arm front suspension which never did that good a job. The brakes introduced me to the effect of brake fade, but fortunately it was not really quick enough for that to be unmanageable! My only real breakdowns were due to the mechanical fuel pump, twice! and a gearbox, thanks to reconditioned parts, always plenty available in those days for the Marina, along with my Dad's skills, it was fixable.
I eventually gave the car to my Brother when I bought a Mk3 Cortina 2000e, the definition of chalk and cheese! But for me, my Marina will always be special, I passed my test in it, broke it, several times, fixed it, most days and created some incredible memories. Andrew
Funny I never bought Fords because we used Cortinas and Escorts as company cars and they went through engines and gearboxes as if they were wear and tear items. Later when I bought my own cars I bought a 1978 Mk2 Marina 1.8 HL/TC that was an excellent fast reliable car. It had the uprated anti rolls bars etc of the later models and the lever arms were fine as long as they were looked after and not worn out. There wasnt any problems with the mechanical fuel pumps and still isnt with these engines but there was a problem if they were not fitted right because the lever on the fuel pump was meant to be slotted into a groove when it was fitted and many people did not know that and just fitted the pump which would fail so many miles later when the lever got snapped off and the the pump failed to work. I never had any problems with my gearbox and I drove my Marina hard and fast all the time back then. I would still have owned that Marina today had it not been written off when a woman just drove out from a junction with looking when someone else waiting to turn across her waived her on.
I replaced that Marina with a 1980 Allegro 1750 TC Equipe whch was also an excellent reliable car and my mother had a 1978 Allegro 1500 LE at the same time and my brother had a 1976 I think it was 2.0 GXL Mk3 Cortina and the keys from both the Allegros could open and start the Cortina. The Allegros actually had more room in them than the Cortina especially in the back and were far more reliable than it as well. The Cortina got written off as it got stolen from outside our house just I arrived home and we chased after it in my Equipe and because they couldnt get away from that Allegro they drove through a wooded bit and rammed it through a chain link fence and into the side of the whisky bond building that used to be near where we lived at the time. My brother was glad to see the back of that Cortina and get his insurance pay out and he moved to Denmark where he has lived ever since and I wish I still had that Marina and Allegro today.
@@williamwoods8022 Um? Marina to "AllAgro, through choice?
My first car (bought for me) was a white 1972 1.3 super deluxe saloon late 87 to 88. It was a bit tatty and had a fair sized hole in the side part of the boot. Not quite my favourite, but even at that point it was a reasonable car. It went well enough. Not the best handling, but fairish even then. The revs had got a bit high so I turned the idle speed down. Found some rust on the throttle return spring. I cleaned it of and the revs dropped right down. About 150 rpm. The engine wouldn't die though. 😊
"I bet you love the MGB, so wind your neck in!" - That cracked me up.
shes definetly a card that steph !
Derek Hallows She’s lovely isn’t she.
she is , soon she will be doing videos of taking engines out , she will do it with ease,
I brought my tc coupe to Namibia when i emigrated. Its Teal blue with a limeflower interior. I love the 'wind your neck in', so true. A and B series engines, so reliable. As for the 'o' series, very smooth and in 2.0 auto form in the Ital, surprisingly quick. Im so pleased with your enthusiasm. Best regards.
when i see a marina coupe, i always remember sid james in carry on at your convenience, when his budgie started picking the winning horses, what did he treat himself to ? a marina coupe! brilliant.
well done joey !!
...and kept the budgie supplied with honey rings lol :D
Did my apprenticeship with bl. 40 years ago. Drove marinas in the 70s/80s. Recently got another . 1974 MK1 , 1800 coupe. . 17000. Genuin MLS . Love it . It's a keeper .
Another wonderful video that was a pleasure to watch, thanks Steph! I had a 1.3 Marina in 1987/8 as a £30 (with full MoT) stop-gap car. It had a terrible water leak that flooded the floors (defective door seals), the clutch juddered violently, the prop shaft vibrated badly because it was out of balance, but it used to get me about reasonably well. I fixed up all the rust, resprayed it and it looked great, I put in lots of upgrade parts from newer/posher Marinas and Itals (scrapyards were full of them) but one day on the M1 the gearbox went and the Marina became a marooner! Bought a posh 3 year old Maestro 1.6HL to replace it, but I had happy memories of my Marina and "marginal motoring" fun on a shoe string budget. By the way, the single wipe was called flick wipe, the Japanese called it mist function. 1.8 MK1 Marinas had a rev counter but 1.3s didn't.
I had 2 marinas,1 in autumn green HYU73K 1.3L and 1 in inca yellow (with vinyl roof) LBY945V 1.3HL.......had both for about 11 years in total, never had a problem apart from a bit of rust on the wheel arches and around the top of the headlights (usual places on them),the yellow one used to get covered in insects in summer thinking it was a flower! in the end,i swapped the yellow one for a new washing machine with my cousin! haha happy days!great vid as usual Steph!
Here in New Zealand I owned an Australian built Morris Marina 2.6litre straight six. The manual ones only came with a three speed.
Mine was auto and such fun and fast. The engine was heavy so the handling was hopeless.
My second Marina was a 1981 series 3 1700. It was very comfortable. I do love the coupe but the best and most useful was the 1800cc estate
MORRIS MARINA was one of the worst cars ever built ...absolute CRAPP they really were .........
The 6 cylinder Marina was not a good idea, they were designed to compete against GM's 6 cylinder Torana, Ford's 6 cylinder Cortina and Chrysler's 6 cylinder Centura. The Marina 6 was a poor handling car. The Marina lacked a lot of the gismos and features of the equivalent Japanese cars too.
I remember seeing thousands of these things thrashed up and down the motorways of the UK, accumulating millions of miles. Don't recall seeing the hard shoulder lettered with broken down examples A much maligned car, but in truth was as capable as many contemporary cars of its time.
The only "real" issues with it was the Medevil suspension system from the Minor which even by 1971 standards was antiquated and knackered the handling. Suppose alot of other contemporary cars of the day were no better and to be frank the Escort and Viva certainly wouldn't have been unless ye were on about the sporty ones.
Prob just the hit and miss quality control really hurt it, as was the case with many similar cars back then aswell My dad had an Allegro Vandan Plas, no joke he went over a bump one day and the whole engine fell out 😅😅😅😅
@Samspianopage I’m going to hop on and say it’s not the same suspension as a Morris Minor, you can’t use the Minor parts on them. I wish. It would make life a lot easier.
@@idriveaclassic Ah right didny know that I always thought it used Trunions like the Minor. No expert on car suspension really I don't drive I just like ma cars.
I think I read somewhere they had to change the front camber either at the last minute before it launched when it was factory tested or, after it launched cu it was soo dangerous ye could end up on the other side of the road LOL I might be wrong so don't quote us.
Fella I used to live just round the corner from had 2 Marinas, think he prob might still have em.
My dad's got a 1971 Austin Aprite Mk IV, prob alot of similar parts used the A-Series engine obv and of course alot of Marina bits were used on other cars inc the door handles on the Lotus Esprit, Land Rover Discovery Series 1 (we had one LOL) and Range Rover Classic.
I had a Marina 1.8 was painter and decorating in the city of London was doing Night's in office blocks and occasional Houses
on the days and the boot was a nice size for all my tools paint and paper all in the boot and Never had a problem my mate's cars were getting broken into all the time never touched mine it served me well for about 6-7 years then traded it in and got my money back money wise it had normal servicing i did myself but apart from that a great little motor brings back memory's i had a Mustard colour people said was standard so yeah thanks steph for your review i'm enjoying your Idriveaclassic channel and i am getting through them bit by bit trouble is they are a bit addictive i watch one then another and then i think i have to be somewhere but just one more but that's my choice lol, Your a lovely bubbly young lady and keep up the good work there are plenty of classics about maybe NOT of a particular make and model but i have had lots of cars and so far you have reviewed
five of mine Marina, Capri, XJ6 Jag, MK 3 Escort Two door hatch, Nissan Bluebird, so hope to see more and looking forward to next one i am out of sync not in order so apology's for my comments not being at time you have posted your video's, Once again thanks for your review's of the cars we had , Wanted to have , & cars out of our reach and sadly disappearing forever Cheer's.
Great review Steph and your enthusiasm is infectious! I owned 1973 L plate Marina 1.3 coupe between 1979 and 1982, my Dad then took it over and ran it until 1985 when the rust finally got the better of it. It was harvest gold with the same colour interior as the one in the review. Mine was pretty reliable, though the drum brakes did require some caution (I learned to drive in a Ford 100E so drum brakes held no fears for me ). I really liked mine and yes, the seats were very comfortable.
What a lovely old Marina. They've definitely grown on me. Just missed a Harvest Gold one, four door automatic. 500 quid. Kicking myself. Another cracking video.
My friend had one at University - the seats were the best I've ever sat on, soft ride and it was quiet too.
I loved it - I want one
Maintenance was a Sunday morning, everyone pulled their cars out the garage by its rear bumper checked levels , tyres, greacepoints , every car had a oily rag pushed down the side of its battery, social gathering all lost in time as now some people drive families around with tyres I would not have on a wheel barrow..😲
Brilliant review, I remember these cars well, there was 1000s on the road in the 70s, they seemed to be every where! We had a Violet one, with yellow head lights, its looked stunning. I loved those days, cars had enormous character, and always had that lovely car smell from the seats and plastics. If not for all the salt and grit on the road, reliability would of been so much better. Cheers!
My first road-legal car was an Ital 1.7 SLX, the top-of-the-range model. They kept developing it right to the end, mine was a series 2 which meant that it got things like parabolic leaf springs and telescopic shock absorbers. All my friends commented on how comfortable it was. My first two cars (not road-legal) were both Hillman Avengers, which I think are much better cars, but the Marina and Ital are perfectly serviceable vehicles, and I'd happily have another one.
Another great video Steph, most enjoyable as ever... My brother in law had a Mustered coloured TC in the 90's..
Now I am looking back at my time in life , its great to see you youngsters keeping the dreams alive , it gives me hope that the classic scene is alive and well ;-)
Bought my mums old 1974 MK1 Marina Coupe 1.8 Super in Aconite with brown interior and used from 1983 to 85. I had loads of issues with part failures and the mileage was around 78k but did it go and as my first car I'll always remember it with great fondness.
Lol at the sound of the horn and your reaction :D
I had a 6 cylinder marina years ago here in Australia. A real rocket. I loved it. Wish I still had it.
I also had one of the 2.6 OHC 6 cylinder ones. I bought it as a tired cheapy with a dodgy clutch. The 3 speed manuals in the six cylinder cars had a dreadful gearchange too. I replaced the gearbox with a used auto transmission from a wreck. Also fitted tubular shocks on the front which greatly improved the handling. It wasn't a wonderful car but I enjoyed it. People now say the handling of the 2.6 was terrible due to the extra weight in front, but the 2.6 OHC 6 cylinder engine weighed less than the original UK 1.8 that wasn't fitted to Marinas in Australia. The 6 cylinder cars had upgraded rear suspension, too, to reduce axle tramp. Most of the knockers have never driven one.
On the other hand, my mum drove a 1.5 deluxe base model for a couple of years and it really was a dog. They did make a few duds...
Chris Harkin Yep. I liked the fact it just looked like a little grocery getter. A friend had a 4 cylinder and it was a turd for sure.
I got quite excited when I spotted there was a 1980s Metro in the background and thought what a coincidence to have another classic nearby. Then it dawned on me that the Metro is in fact your daily car!
Good points about reliability. I had a 1.3 Coupe and, later, a 1.8 TC saloon. Neither car ever let me down in terms of starting and then getting me to my destination. They were prone to minor issues though - possibly build quality not that great. Both cars had leaky windscreens and I had problem with speedos, heaters, stuff like that. Felt an opportunity was missed by BL. Better build quality and it would have been a great workhorse.
I was brought up on the outskirts of a village and I always remember the postman used to bring our mail in a Marina van and in later years an Ital van.
I didn't mind the Itals and they didn't deserve the comments such as 'Ital only go if you push it'
@@spankysmp Ital Design.. Guigaro did it in a cappuccino break.
£500k Graci. ;/
It is great to see such a well loved car being reviewed and also enjoyed by its owner. To all those people who have posted negative comments, that Marina is still here, it is still going and it attracts more attention than such petty minded people with puerile comments ever will.
Have you actually driven one? I suffered a new one in the late 70's......and from experience it was awful. Hence my negative comment.....there was nothing nice about it.
"Bet you love the MGB...wind your neck in" Just say it like it is, Steph, don't hold back :)
Great to see a surviving Marina. My dad bought a new one in 1972 when I was a teenager. It was a lovely car at the time - with nicer interior than the Cortina of the same era! It was his first new car and pride and joy!
Yes Steph, the 6 Cylinder Marinas had so much torque that they could haul themselves out of a mine shaft which was just as well as some manuals were 3 speed only!!! Always love your vids and your get ups are always so retro and cool. Love it!
Survivor cars are always more interesting as they've got a history to tell. Great video.
Nice one Steph. Amazingly maligned and underrated car.
Sounds good in 1.8 tc form.
The Marina was seen a replacement for the Morris Minor, it these days, lacks the nostalgic appeal of the Minor although it was more sophisticated. It lacked the features of the equivalent Japanese cars too.
I understand your appreciation of this car and BL cars, and thank you for presenting these cars, Steph. The Marina has a similar fate as many other "bread and butter" cars here in the USA as well. Something that was common in the day frequently did not get the cherished treatment. I first remember seeing an ad for the Austin Marina (US market) and very much liking its clean styling, but I don't think I ever saw one "in the metal".
I love the enthusiasm you have for the Marina and all BL products. You are absolutely right they were nowhere near as bad as people make out my father had three back in the day all bought brand new. He had a series 1 1.3 Coupé which was beset with incurable dash rattles and squeaks and a steering vibration which took the dealer forever to sort out. Mum hated that car mainly because it only had two doors so when dad went away on business in early 1977 she went and chopped it in for a series 2 4 door 1.8 Special, that was a lovely car which was changed in 1983 for an Ital 2.0 estate. In my opinion the series 2 marinas were probably the best of the type. I must take issue with you about the handling particularly on those early cars, if you were trying to push on they suffered terrible understeer that said do you really buy a car like a Marina if you want to drive it like a sports car? The problem was if you went into a bend too quick by mistake a Marina was much more likely to dump you in the ditch than the contemporary Escort or Cortina. The series 2 cars were much better as they had stiffer roll bars. Like you I am a big fan of BL products and would love either a series 2 Marina HL or a Princess 2200. Keep up the good work it's good to see younger people like yourself and Twin Cam so enthusiastic about a marque which even today isn't considered cool. In all honesty the cars weren't that good but I think that applies to most seventies cars but they are still part of our motoring heritage.
Back in 1992/93, Dad had an Allegro 1100 and then followed by a 1300 HL Marina. Both were very good little cars. Yes they did have their problems but they were ‘end of life’ cars back then. Very happy and fond memories of them! Great review Steph!
Just found this video☺
I own a 1980 saloon custom
1800 t/c
Brown and cream paint work with brown vinyl roof, chrome wolfrace slot mags, triumph dolomite dash, custom chrome gear stick topped with chromed piston, custom tube three spoke steering wheel and to top it off bonnet scoop ( just for looks) with brown and cream air brushed flames. Total 70s style!
Drives like a dream and peoples faces when you overtake are hilarious!😂 Cheers Steph your videos are great.
There were thousands of these cars in Australia when I was a kid. Great video.
My first car was a Marina 1.3 coupé. Watch for water leaks under the carpets in the front footwells! 👍🏻 Mine never had a rev counter. 😥 The 1.8 did have a handling issue, but after the early modification it was nowhere near as bad as some people (such as Jeremy Clarkson) claim. I should say "claimed" (past tense) - I'd forgotten he got sacked! 🤣
I had a Mk2 Marina 1.8 HL/TC that was an excellent fast and reliable car and those had uprated anti roll bars and suspension but you still had to watch the back end in the wet but plenty of other cars were like that as well at the time such as the Capri and Cortina as well and they had supposed better suspension as well. Never listened to clowns such as Clarkston because he was only a journalist passing on his crap opinion that he heard from other peoples opinion and he didnt have a clue what end of a spanner was from the other as well.
Steph,
My first car was a Marina 1.8 Super, not the coupe tho'.
It was a bluey turquoise colour, usual rusty places but I LOVED it. It was always reliable, used to have to use a clothes peg on the choke as it would'nt stay out on its own. That was back in '93/'94 there were still loads of them around then. I had Ital's later as well......
Keep up the great work!
ah yes, the clothes peg trick....remember it well!
moco2802..think it was called Aqua blue if I remember correctly, Corgi vanguards 1:43 have done one in same colour with wing mirrors on a L plate
Great review as always Steph, love your channel. Great to see all the cars I remember from the 1970’s and 1980’s as a kid growing up. Keep up the good work. My uncle had this exact same model.
I love your presentation style. I also love this Marina. They’re much better than their reputation suggests I think. Bless you in all your endeavours. Pete UK
Thanks Pete! She’s a good car
Dead right Steph, using a classic as an every day car does make them more reliable. They're machines that were designed to be used. Lovely honest Marina by the way. Many thanks.
Great Video Steff. I love Marinas my Dad had a 1.8 Est in the 70s i had 2 in the late 80s both 1.3 Delux.
The Marina was no worse than any other car that came out at the time and i loved driving mine wished i still owned it.
Tell your friend to keep his Trunions well greased Kenol Marine grease works great!
To think back in the day these cars were everywhere. I remember them well. The coupe is a good looking car! My brother bought a Marina van as a project in the early 90's. I sneaked a drive in it and loved it!
Had 1 back in 1972 as a company car....thanks for bringing back the memories 😀
My brother had a blue one of these. Only time he let me near the keys was when he broke his ankle at a festival in Bridlington. My Dad and I went from Manchester to bring him home, so my first (and only) drive in it was quite a trip! Smashing little motor, but I still prefer my moggies!
Great car.This was also sold in the USA as the Austin Marina.The Morris Ital was a clever update of the car which brought it into the 80s.
OMG. This has got a thumbs up already and I'm still watching the ads. I'm sure it will be a great video.
Edit - it was. My Dad had a 1.3 coupe (LJC764R) when I was young. Then I bought a 1.3 mustard coupe in the 80s (Mk 2) and then after that a 1700HL in red complete with a black vinyl roof (oooh hark at me). I'd kill for one now. I'm sure Steph, you don't mind me mentioning Morris McKinnon on YT who does a great job saving old Marinas.
Hi Steph. Great review. I've watched this video a few times, but never noticed until Twin-Cam pointed it out, they used the saloon's front doors on the coupe. Freaky. I can't unsee this now.
Yes, It was cost saving. I think the coupe would have benefited from slightly longer front doors to balance the design
Wow,you've finally driven one of my favourite cars I had a 1975 n REG 1300 Base but l loved it blue in colour went everywhere when it worked didn't like winter but l think it's a bonny looking car and l liked the interea lots of orange, and plastics l had it for quite a few years and your video bought back many good memories thank you Steph
Intermittent? I'm going to start calling it the Occasional wipers! I had a brand new Marina van 1981, fantastic memories. I jacked up the rear and put a 6 foot Avanti moonraker on the roof making it about 11 feet tall! I once tied fire works to the top which impressed a girl so much she became my wife, yes we are still together. Great video yet again Steph'. All the best.
Brilliant as usual Steph, we had 1.8 TC estates with beefed up rear suspension, very fast but a little hairy under heavy braking.
I had a 1.8 TC great cars nice to see one used as it should 👍
Lovely videos well presented . I could watch your videos all-day .
Aww thanks!
Sold as the “Austin Marina” here in America, British Leyland only managed to sell about 28,000 of them during the two model years (1974 and 1975) that it was available here. It was available in Canada, however, until the 1978 model year. We got only the 1.8 engine; I assume the 1.3 couldn’t have handled our emissions requirements. I saw a blue Austin Marina coupe for sale online not too long ago. The seller claimed that “less than 24” Austin Marinas remain on American roads.
We had 1.3 super saloon and that interior takes me back. Ours had an electrical problem that was intermittent. Never got to the bottom of it tbh. Long trips were very comfortable though. Love the horn test!!
Great presenter and video and fantastic to see such a true, and rare, classic actually being used and as a daily. And - all hail the (Driver's) Handbook!
Thanks! Xx
Yous mentioned in Austin Allegro video that ""Marina is your fav car"", lol more than that video i sensed that you loved reviewing this car!! There is much difference between Allegro video and this one!!
Always enjoyed your videos!! ❤️
Great video do like the marina coupe getting very rare I used to own a marina pick up. Great information love the part when you said wind your neck in it has the same engine as the mgb keep up your good work
Thoroughly enjoy your videos Steph. I drove an estate version back in around 1980. It has pride of place in being the worst handling car I have ever driven in my entire life. Outdated lever arm suspension. Compared to Fords of the time is was dreadful. No wonder so few are left
Had one as my first car loved it back in the early 80s brought back a lot of memory's
Great Video Steph, I'm an MGB GT owner that I've owned for over 30 years, it's an 'M' reg just like the Marina
Great enthusiastic presentation and fantastic to see a Marina again....
Great video. I have a soft spot for Marina's. Back in 1980 on my 17th birthday I was allowed to drive my Dads then nearly new (one of the last) company V reg 1.3 base model on the road for the first time, I seem to recall it had a vicious clutch, or maybe it was me...
I always wanted an early version for my first car, I preferred the dash on the earlier versions, on later versions the radio seemed to be pointing towards the passenger. However I ended up with a Mk1 Escort which I loved.
In 1984 I got my first company car, a 1.3 Y reg Morris Ital 1.7HL, white with orange interior, boy did that fly! Sadly it died at 101k with a failed rear axle. Not the best cars, but I'd still love one today.
Great video, Steph! Love your enthusiasm for these unfairly maligned cars. By no means a world beater but good honest motoring and to be honest a good looking three box saloon. I loved our 1.7 saloon as a kid, my brother could make it launch like a rocket! He was of the opinion it could have done with a 5 speed 'box though.
I watched Hubnut's video of the straight six powered Leyland Marina... utterly gorgeous motor!
My uncle had a lovely mustard coloured one, he really cherished it. Another 'if only' to my collection of 'if onlys'!
Well you must love driving your mate's car, my father had a 1975 1.3 Super back in 1977, yes it eat batteries for breakfast. But having said that when he brought an Allegro from a family friend in '87, it had a similar problem. I checked under the bonnet and found the fan belt was loose, both cars were serviced by the same garage. The Allegro was an excellent anti-car, loved driving it, sold due to buying a Humber Hawk (17RHU) another story. The Marina I found to be slightly dull, but was it terrible, I would say no. Was going to borrow someone's 1.8 TC whilst my Humber Sceptre Mk2 was off the road over 30 years ago, but alas never happened. Should have taken up my dad's offer of the car rather sticking to my Herald. Great video you would fit in well with the Goodwood Revival. Excellent.
Bought My first car in 1985 from British Car Auctions, Enfield and was a P reg Morris Marina 1.8TC Super, saloon, with servo assisted breaks. So car was around 9 years old at the time. Not sure what made it a “super” (maybe the rev counter?) but it was a good car. The TC meant “twin carb” so it had a bit of poke. We had got to the end of the auction and the Marina came through which we hadn’t seen previously, but the bidding started at £10, which immediately got our attention. So bought it for £40 in the end and drove it home up the A10 with no issues. Had the Marina for 3 years. No issues with it. Cut my teeth in the Marina in terms of driving. Sat on motorways comfortably at 70mph and had lots of holiday trips to Wales barrelling down the M4. The Marina was so sturdy and reliable it was boring. Sold it in 1988 for £200! So got my money back and more which in them days…that was called free motoring! Highly underrated car.
“Unipart means motoring luxury” - as someone who experienced the era firsthand (Dad had a polar white Marina 1.3 for a few years - always reliable, except when it wasn’t), I think you are right to be suspicious of that claim. Great vid as always, love that coat :)
A-Series and B-Series engines were always very reliable and so were these cars so usually when there are problems with them it was either crappy owners who didnt look after their cars or bought other peoples unlooked after cars or the garages etc were ripping them off saying the cars needed things done that didnt all the time. It was funny how people like me who looked after our own BL cars NEVER had any problems with them and they were very reliable and yet people who didnt had the problems and the same goes for the people who had non-BL cars as well.
Great job Steph and that is a rare beast
My first! Marina actually was the Ozzie 2.6 l E-series. It was great. Nobody knew it was the 262. I left so many bigger and much younger cars at the lights.
Favourite part is seeing the hand book. I love that mine has the specs to adjust ignition timing and points
I love that horn, and your reaction to it!
Great video Steph, love the old Marina. I can remember my uncle having 3 of these, he worked for British gas and I think they got a discount?
I owned a Marina in 1977 it was white 4 door 1.3 brown velour interior I enjoyed owing it nothing outstanding had no issues with it other than I fitted a new alternator
I had one as my first car in 1986. I paid £450 and £300 insurance. I had to wipe the inside of the distributor cap on frosty mornings before it would start. The clutch and handbrake cable were the only things that failed. Otherwise a cheap and reliable car. Drove my mates from Southampton to Alton Towers in it without a hitch. Couldn’t do the same trip in my Maestro.
LOL! Thanks for the video! I had a ‘74 Austin Marina in orange and aside from a bad valve, it was in Greta shape. I wish I’d kept it!
Hiya Steph :) Just wanted to say how much I agreed with a number of the points you made in the video.
At 17 mins, you mentioned (words to the effect of) that if people want a museum piece then they can go to a museum and look at one. Good on ya! Could not have put it better myself. In my view, what is the point of owning a car you love if you never get to drive it? You MUST take your classics out on the road and park them where people can see them, because they DO bring smiles to to so many people's faces. At any opportunity, I have my Triumph 2500S or the Stag (when it's running) out on the road driving or off to a car meet somewhere to park it up with other classics and talk to people who 'had one many years ago' or want to see how well the cars have survived......which brings me to the next point.
At 21 mins, you mentioned about the Marina getting a bad rep because of what the company was going through. Truer words have never been spoken and it wasn't just the poor old Mariner (a local epithet, meaning it should be on the end of an anchor chain) or its sister car the Austin "All-aggro". Relatives of my poor old Triumph "Snag" copped a fair bit, along with the "Dolomite-not" and a LOT of it was down to very poor quality control and a disillusioned workforce. I have seen and heard of some catastrophic failures of serious components in all BL vehicles mentioned (and others), but when they got it right, boy did they produce a good car!
Your mate Joe has a great example - 140,000 miles and still going strong....but so often BL let themselves down by trying to cut corners or spending money in the wrong places on the wrong things.......or just forgetting the little things like ensuring all the casting sand is out of a Stags engine so that the water and oil capillaries do not restrict the car's lifebloods.....and it's all very easy to say what they should have done after the fact, but due care and attention to make the best of what they were told to produce, would have certainly helped to smooth over the fact the cars were not always on the cutting edge. Sounds simple, but it obviously wasn't.
Oh - my Triumphs have done 191,000km / 118,700 miles (Stag) and 224,000km / 139,200 miles (2500S) and they are still quite low milage examples of some of the cars over here. Mind you, the 2500 has never had an engine rebuild - just a valve grind at 198,000km - and still doing her job well (touch wood!). The 2500S is also my daily driver - I have no modern car. She's reliable enough......
I myself love BL cars. If I could, I would own quite a few more examples than the three I have. I'd love an Allegro, an Austin 3-litre (manual), a Rover P6-S and SD1 Vitesse, a Dolomite Sprint, a TR7 and a Jaguar XJ12C and XJS for when I want a bit of opulence in my life! I wouldn't mind an MG, but it would have to be the MGC or the MGV8 (early-mid 70s) just to be different to everyone else's! My first car was an Austin A30 and I've always had a very soft spot for BMC too. You're also right in mentioning that the earlier handbooks were more comprehensive - like a "lite" version of a Haynes manual. The one I had in my 57 Mark 1 Austin A55 was about 50 pages and covered things like how to change the oil in the oil-bath air filter as well as top up the dampers, grease the speedo cable and change the gearbox / diff oil!
I guess that time has proven that BL were not the complete %^%($$%&( that history has written them off as, because why else would there still be such a staunch and loyal following by so many enthusiasts......and if they were REALLY so diabolically hopeless and the cars such failures in reliability and so terrible to drive, how come so many of their cars still survive some 40-50 years down the track? I love driving my Triumphs! I love throwing them into corners under power - and they love it too, so respond with gusto and surprise many a modern driver behind (or in front) of me with their ability to keep up. I will never be without one.
It's a shame what happened to BL. Here in Australia they were building the ahead of its time Leyland P76. If it hadn't been for the problems at the parent company the car might have had a chance.
I like the Marina and I enjoyed your road test. One thing surprised me, is the mileage correct? That sounds very low given the age of the car. The M registration came out in 1973 which puts the car at 46 years old. As you said the current owner has it as a daily driver for the last 5 years. Given the wear and tear on seats etc. the car looks to have done more than just over 100,000 miles.
Someone said in the comments they got 250,000 miles out of their 1.8 engine.
not much warmer here in Australia at the moment :/
Love your channel and great reviews👍
The coupe is especially rare now sadly. I always thought they were a great looking car. That particular one, while not being perfect, looks solid and well worth restoration when time, funds and panel availability allows.
Josh Ward is a member of a vintage radio forum that I'm on. I don't think the guy ever sleeps! It seems that he spends all his time fixing and restoring old things.
Love that fur coat Steph!
The cigarette lighter was an optional extra - from memory cost £1!
Fairly popular car as I remember. We had a 1.8 four door.
It was comfy to sit in and the 1.8 pulled quite well, but that's about all what was good about it!
Lots of lean in cornering, looks were only a little better than the blandness that Ford offered.
Would drive an early Metro over this all day long!
Great show Steph. I love Marinas too. Pete 🇬🇧
A friend of a friend stopped by on her way from Massachusetts to California in an Austin Marina in 1978. Never heard of it before that nor since, until now.
Hi Steph, they are good. I had a Marina van. There was a ute version as well
Thanks Steph for great review. I had one late 1973, same colour with dark maroon interior. In it's day it was quite a goer and drove it all over the UK. Only BL would make a coupe with saloon front doors.
My first car (in 1983) was a 1975 Morris Marina 1800cc, teal blue with the mustard yellow vinyl interior. Fixed it up with my Dad and drove it for four or five years. Cost 350 GBP. Never let me down. Very comfortable and spacious, and modern for the times. Loved that car!
Hi great video my dad had 2 of these cars i remember it well it was a good car iv got a 2005 Citroen c2 so not a classic but i would love a older car my favourite would be a mark one escort great video keep up with the good work
Hi Steph. Some countries, like Malta had a Marina Diesel version using the BMC 1.5 engine.
Another great video, thanks. When you mention all-nighters, I take it you're referring to Northern Soul? KTF.
Love the coupe version of the marina. This is lovely.
In 1985 my dad bought a 1978 marina 1.8 coupe and I think it was a special. It had the square lights on the grille. It was metallic blue with a black vynil roof. I still remember the number plate IIJ 505. I remember it fondly, though it had one or two reliability issues. It was replaced by a Fiat 131 1600 CL which in the space of 5 years rusted horrendously but only broke down once! I have been looking forward to seeing you do a marina review, I’m a bit of a fan, my sister bought me the lovely marina t shirt that I’m wearing for my TH-cam profile picture 🙂. Please grab yourself a Fiat 131 1600 CL to review some day, you’ll make this 40 something very happy 😃. The CL version sounds much better than the expensive. twin cam version in my humble opinion 🙂
They had a Marina like yours on the UK TV programme Bangers And Cash which a man purchased,restored and gave it to his Wife as a Xmas present.
Lovely vid Steph, and so nice to see your beautiful smile!
I'm glad you enjoyed that Marina, as I've always thought they were very underrated cars. I think they had a bad press, due in part to the disasters that befell their mismanagement teams, and bullying from the likes of the idiot Clarkson.
I've had 2 Marinas, a 1977 series 2 1300 saloon, and a 1981 series 3 1700 estate, both in Pageant Mid Blue, one of the colours that BL/Leyland Cars painted pretty much everything!
But, I loved both of them! Sadly, the dreaded metal moth got the 1300, and the 1700 had a weird heating/cooling pipe that ran underneath the exhaust manifold, which I was unable to replace! :-/
I'd've loved either a TC, or a 2.0 litre though! :-)
What a great car! 😎 I like the Marina too. I prefer the later versions from the late 1970s with more black bits on it that tended to replace some chrome parts. Is it the series 2 or 3?
I'm less keen on the Ital that replaced it in 1980/81, however but I'd definitely rock a late 70s Marina.
My first car (thanks Dad) was a Morris Marina coupe with a vinyl roof. Mine was metallic blue but I had it repainted fire engine red (literally) by a guy that used to work on fire engines. Hand on heart it really was the worst car I ever owned. I have also had an Allegro and it was actually a pretty good car compared to the Marina.
Nice looking car. I've heard of the Morris Marina, but because I'm not from England, I have never seen one in person.