Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

clan chieftain · Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 2041 Location: Motherwell

This should be interesting and funny . Dont worry I wont be offended. I might even be surprised.....Fire away. Laughing

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The Clan Chieftain

Riley Blue · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1751 Location: Derbyshire

They strike me as being extremely bland with no redeeming features so the answer from me is a resounding 'No'.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22821 Location: UK

It does nothing for me really, but the same goes for its contemporaries - Maxi, Allegro, Princess, I can't see me owning any of them. I imagine that the estates especially are becoming quite scarce. A friend of mine has a tired pickup half buried under stuff in his garage, but I can't get excited about it.

RJ
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colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

Seeing as you're offering Larry; go on then. I'll have one.

Salopian · Joined: 05 Jan 2010 Posts: 354 Location: Newport Shropshire

Have to say I'm with Rick - rather uninteresting grey porridge to me - the sort of thing you bought simply as transport on price alone. Ideal for undemanding buyers was a phrase that comes to mind.
Funnily enough was in Gloucester yesterday for a funeral and saw a late estate (presumably Ital??) in one of those slightly horrible colours BL specialised in. Looked very tidy 1980 V plate I think. Must be 1983 or so I recall the dealers in Telford were offering the last new estates for sale for peanuts. They had six or seven all lined up and I rather felt it was name your own price.
You will realise Marina/Ital all a bit the same to me.
Anyway you asked for it (nothing personal) and each to their own.

Edited to say forgot the answer to the question - No sorry.
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Jonathan Butler
Alvis SD 12/50 1928 MG TD 1950

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4279 Location: South Cheshire

Can't say they do much for me.

The irony is that the mechanical bits were moggy minor, and bmc tried to copy the ford escort style, both these cars have since become very sought after!

Dave

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7219 Location: Edinburgh

The 1.8 goes quite well in a straight line but excessive roll and understeer would frighten me. If I liked cars of that period I'd rather have a 2 litre Cortina or a Hunter.

Why do you like the Marina in preference to other cars of the period?

Peter
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1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

clan chieftain · Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 2041 Location: Motherwell

I used to fix them as a mechanic with the Royal Mail and they are simple to work on. Yet years ago I always had Escorts and Cortinas as every day cars. The marina estate however I think is the best looking of the range. Cool

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The Clan Chieftain

clan chieftain · Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 2041 Location: Motherwell

Can the tired pick up be woken up or has it gone to sleep forever Rolling Eyes

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The Clan Chieftain

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22821 Location: UK

bob2 · Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 1728 Location: Malta

Actually I was thinking about it last week, an estate with a diesel engine would be a good daily, preferably mark 1 or at least over 35 years old so as to be applicable to pay only 8 euros a year road tax!!
It would be very cheap motoring then!!
However I have never actually seen an estate over here, apart from an ital version which would not appeal in my case!!
Funnily I never liked them much though!

Richard H · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 2150 Location: Lincolnshire, UK

Yes, I love them!

Admittedly I'd probably own a Princess or Ambassador first though... Smile

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Richard Hughes

RUSTON · Joined: 07 Mar 2011 Posts: 144 Location: Matlock.

Used to like them when I worked at a BMC dealer and enjoyed driving their pickup! Was thinking of buying one once but got married and kept my Series six Oxford instead. Not really in the market for a classic car but I would consider one ahead of ANY Ford! Wink

Pete.
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BigJohn · Joined: 01 Jan 2011 Posts: 954 Location: Wem, Shropshire

I had a 1.8 TC estate in 1980, it replaced a Renault 4 due to an enlarging family. The Renault could drive from the chip shop in Masham to home in Middleham (N. Yorks) without the chips getting cold, due partly to its incredible heater, and its crazy lean like a motorbike handling. The first time I tried it in the Marina, I visited the wide grass verge when a sharp series of bend comprehensivly caught it out, fish and chips tepid at home. It handled like 2 drunken heifers riding a tandem with flat tyres. On the plus side it carried large loads, towed well, went well in a straight line and was relatively economical. The seat back broke due to the crap welding when it was built and the fuel tank top rusted out at 3yrs old. I traded it for an older Mk1 Granada Ghia.
Would I have another? No, but I have always loved the coupe shape and would consider a slammed 1.8 tc with a set of Recaros, but why oh why did they not hatchback it.
I would have another Renault 4 though. A hoot to drive and as a eager as a young collie dog.

Minxy · Joined: 22 Sep 2010 Posts: 273 Location: West Northants

Here we go with big time contradiction,

One of my favourite top five cars is an Austin - A princess vanden plas, I love them and would dearly like to own another (I had one some years ago) but the rest of the Austin/Leyland range bar none are boring, boring, boring.....
.....that said if I was at a show and saw your estate I just know I would admire it
Confused