I love the dedication these guys have for the Marina. My dad bought one in 1974; it was constantly breaking down for one reason or another, well one reason actually. It was produced on a friday during the usual strikes! He then made the fantastic decision in 1982 to keep it for my mum and buy a Morris Ital. The steering completely siezed in its first week on the road. The assemblers had failed to grease the column. I'd love to drive one again though.
Great piece. However there are a few inaccuracies. the Marina Mark 2 came out in 1975, with a freshened up grille (with inner lights on some versions) and a new dash. The mark 3 arrived in about 1978, coinciding with the new 1700 'O' series engine and different rear lights. The whole range was replaced by the Ital in 1980, at which time the coupe version was dropped.
Driving a convertible on a sunny day is wonderful. If you've got an elderly SAAB or Morris on a sunny day, you'll enjoy your driving far more than the person in a non-convertible hypercar.
To Ray Purchase I'm sure driving convertible cars would be pleasant! However, the opposite can also be true! I had a hardtop version, of the second model Karmann-Ghia, the "Razor-Edge". Officially known as the "Type 34" Karmann-Ghia". Like a scaled down Chevrolet Corvair These had the latest fashion wrap around front and rear windscreens. In addition, the front screen was cut to go slightly up into the roof. (Great for noticing the top light on traffic lights!). So there wasn't much really in the way of a metal roof - it had so much glass! I was able to go out for the day in it, and the daylight seemed to "last" longer - because you could see more of it, for longer! And summer, therefore seemed to last into the autumn, without ever needing a real convertible to see the view! And all without any chillyness or drafts, like on a "real" convertible, whatever the season! Like being in a conservatory! Look up the Karmann-Ghia type 34 on the internet, and you'll see what what I mean! Still think this convertible Marina Coupe looks sharp, though!
Nice car, there were 3 marks of the marinas, the mk1 was from 1971 to 1975. The mk2 was from 1975 to 1978 with subtle changes on the exterior, the interior dashboard was totally changed, with velour cloth seats on higher models. The mk3 was from 1978 to 1980 with the 1.8 B series engine replaced with a 1.7 0 series OHC engine. The Bumpers & rear light were updated. The Marina was replaced with the Ital to 1984 then production ended
Really enjoyed the video, just a quick comment to mention it's not the only one in aconite. We have a 1975 single carb 1.8 marina Mumford in its original aconite! On the road but not great condition sadly
My friends Peter and Sean McMullen who's Dad owned Crayford. I visited the factory in Westerham quite a few times .they where doing a Mercedes 600 pull man luandalete the did a lot one off work.
Mumfords did produce camper vans because Torcars of Torrington sold their Motor caravan conversion company to Mumfords, Their main donor vehicle was the Marina van and in much lower numbers other models were converted as well.
the mumford dealer that did the conversions was a 20min walk from where i grew up!, the land is now a Sainsburys superstore! after mumfords, it became a fiat dealer, then the sainsburys.
@@BelowtheRadarCars try contacting plymouth city council, or plymouth herald newspaper to see if they have any info or get a story to trace past employees to see if they have pics?
Didn't Tor Engineering do some Marina convertibles? Certainly saw a Marina convertible badged Tor in Earls Colne in 1991! A Mumford turned up on Ebay a few years back! I believe Crayford tried to engineer an Allegro convertible but to no avail.
My first car was a 74 1.8 Sdl saloon in Tundra Green, not a great car to look at but it served me well for 3 years, a lot faster than my mates 1300 Escorts but not quite in the same league going around corners ! ,
I've always enjoyed convertibles. However have to say I just don't think the body shape/style of the Marina suited this conversion. As the original coupe it looked quite good, but the high back end and the side window, plus roof bar aren't attractive at all IMO.
@@BelowtheRadarCarsHi, I listened again and he definitely said crayford did more mundane cars. But I don't hold it against him one bit! Fords were not exotic cars by any means.
His exact words were: "Crayford did a lot of conversions on mundane family cars". The mundane refers to the family cars, in this case the Marina. At no point does he say that Crayfords are mundane or that Crayford only worked on mundane cars - simply that many of the cars that it converted were mundane family cars.
Thanks, an interesting vehicle, but who would take a Marina, and spend all that money to make it a convertible. I drove a few Marinas in their time, they were OK, just boring.
I think it looks awful. Very amateurish. The Coupe was quite attractive in it's own right except for foolishly having those small doors. If only they'd spent a bit more money.
I love the dedication these guys have for the Marina. My dad bought one in 1974; it was constantly breaking down for one reason or another, well one reason actually. It was produced on a friday during the usual strikes!
He then made the fantastic decision in 1982 to keep it for my mum and buy a Morris Ital. The steering completely siezed in its first week on the road. The assemblers had failed to grease the column.
I'd love to drive one again though.
Great piece. However there are a few inaccuracies. the Marina Mark 2 came out in 1975, with a freshened up grille (with inner lights on some versions) and a new dash. The mark 3 arrived in about 1978, coinciding with the new 1700 'O' series engine and different rear lights. The whole range was replaced by the Ital in 1980, at which time the coupe version was dropped.
Thanks for the clarification Trevor. That's the problem with doing these things on the fly - I never know what's coming next!
Well I'm glad we cleared that up...
Loved my Marina cars back in the early 80s, this Black Tulip example is awesome.
Black tulip is darker. this colour is Aconite
@@trevoroutram9033 fabulous colour
@@robertduncan7618 thank you. My MGB is this colour.
It looks cool I've never seen one before I love it
Driving a convertible on a sunny day is wonderful.
If you've got an elderly SAAB or Morris on a sunny day, you'll enjoy your driving far more than the person in a non-convertible hypercar.
To Ray Purchase I'm sure driving convertible cars would be pleasant! However, the opposite can also be true! I had a hardtop version, of the second model Karmann-Ghia, the "Razor-Edge". Officially known as the "Type 34" Karmann-Ghia". Like a scaled down Chevrolet Corvair
These had the latest fashion wrap around front and rear windscreens. In addition, the front screen was cut to go slightly up into the roof. (Great for noticing the top light on traffic lights!). So there wasn't much really in the way of a metal roof - it had so much glass! I was able to go out for the day in it, and the daylight seemed to "last" longer - because you could see more of it, for longer! And summer, therefore seemed to last into the autumn, without ever needing a real convertible to see the view! And all without any chillyness or drafts, like on a "real" convertible, whatever the season! Like being in a conservatory! Look up the Karmann-Ghia type 34 on the internet, and you'll see what what I mean! Still think this convertible Marina Coupe looks sharp, though!
Nice car, there were 3 marks of the marinas, the mk1 was from 1971 to 1975. The mk2 was from 1975 to 1978 with subtle changes on the exterior, the interior dashboard was totally changed, with velour cloth seats on higher models. The mk3 was from 1978 to 1980 with the 1.8 B series engine replaced with a 1.7 0 series OHC engine. The Bumpers & rear light were updated. The Marina was replaced with the Ital to 1984 then production ended
Well done dad good interview there
Every time I see a Marina MK1 , the dashboard is what strikes me as far more attractive and functional than the later Marina/ Ital
Looks wise.....stunning ! !
Did see a Volvo 340 in white done similar.
Both are not really upscale cars and THATS why it’s special 💋🍀😍💪
very interesting and of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder.....
What a lovely looking car. Its a good job that Clarkson/ Hammond and may never got their hands on it
Really enjoyed the video, just a quick comment to mention it's not the only one in aconite. We have a 1975 single carb 1.8 marina Mumford in its original aconite! On the road but not great condition sadly
Excellent video Richard as always. We love a Marina over on my Channel as well.
My friends Peter and Sean McMullen who's Dad owned Crayford. I visited the factory in Westerham quite a few times .they where doing a Mercedes 600 pull man luandalete the did a lot one off work.
Mumfords did produce camper vans because Torcars of Torrington sold their Motor caravan conversion company to Mumfords, Their main donor vehicle was the Marina van and in much lower numbers other models were converted as well.
the mumford dealer that did the conversions was a 20min walk from where i grew up!, the land is now a Sainsburys superstore! after mumfords, it became a fiat dealer, then the sainsburys.
I'd love to find some pictures of the Marinas being produced...
@@BelowtheRadarCars try contacting plymouth city council, or plymouth herald newspaper to see if they have any info or get a story to trace past employees to see if they have pics?
Didn't Tor Engineering do some Marina convertibles? Certainly saw a Marina convertible badged Tor in Earls Colne in 1991!
A Mumford turned up on Ebay a few years back!
I believe Crayford tried to engineer an Allegro convertible but to no avail.
Please do a post on the Wartburg Knight,it was my first car way back in 1974
And how brave of you to own up. 😉
@@BassistPaul Haha yes,you needed to be brave to drive it too !!
My first car was a 74 1.8 Sdl saloon in Tundra Green, not a great car to look at but it served me well for 3 years, a lot faster than my mates 1300 Escorts but not quite in the same league going around corners !
,
One thing is wrong. There was a series 3. But it was called the 1700 mk3. Using the O series engine
Not quite right. I own a Marina mk3 1300cc.
@@richardboard2372 Cool.we never got your version in New Zealand. Cheers
Very listenable.
Very unusual. The data about the cost, with another £1000 would have bought you an etype roadster at the time…..eeek, 😮.
Ok, where is the piano?
I've always enjoyed convertibles. However have to say I just don't think the body shape/style of the Marina suited this conversion. As the original coupe it looked quite good, but the high back end and the side window, plus roof bar aren't attractive at all IMO.
They would've made a better result if they had just started with the four door and welded the rear doors shut before taking the roof off.
I would be happy to pit this with my morris minor convertible.best colour lovely
To Helen Loughton. Morris 1100/1300 was great in this colour too!
Hello Timothy 😂
I assume no Ital’s were ever converted..?? 🤔
The Ital was never produced in coupé form, and Mumford's workshops had closed down by the time the Ital arrived, so I'd say no...
I saw one once.
Or perhaps it was a Crayford.
As an Escort lover (if you know what I mean) I think this is pretty smart.
Calling Crayford cars mundane? I completely disagree. As an owner of a Crayford Capril, MYF 62OL it was never mundane!
He was calling the Marina mundane, not the Crayford conversions...
@@BelowtheRadarCarsHi, I listened again and he definitely said crayford did more mundane cars. But I don't hold it against him one bit! Fords were not exotic cars by any means.
His exact words were: "Crayford did a lot of conversions on mundane family cars". The mundane refers to the family cars, in this case the Marina. At no point does he say that Crayfords are mundane or that Crayford only worked on mundane cars - simply that many of the cars that it converted were mundane family cars.
It looks stag Inspired .
Just don't mention Top Gear.
I had a MK2 marina 1977 R reg, so I know he's definitely wrong with his dates.
Thanks, an interesting vehicle, but who would take a Marina, and spend all that money to make it a convertible.
I drove a few Marinas in their time, they were OK, just boring.
I think it looks awful. Very amateurish. The Coupe was quite attractive in it's own right except for foolishly having those small doors. If only they'd spent a bit more money.
It’s a skip
You beat me to it.🤣🤣🤣🤣
What do u 2 no
a skip would go faster and be more reliable?
Clown@@chaddamp2894