MARINA 1.8 SALOON_UEX935L

[marina1300coupe]

Last week whilst on an extensive walk I walked past a house and saw a sorry looking MAZDA on the hardstanding area in front of it. I stopped to view and then saw another vehicle next to it, Morris Marina 1.8 Saloon UEX 935L, which shows on DVLA as last use 1988. Regrettably I did not have my phone with me so unable to take photos but it did not matter, to do so would have been difficult, very close to the MAZDA (PMV 172W) with front and near side against hedges and almost in the ground floor accommodation. Attached is an extract from Google Streetview, address removed to protect the privacy of residents. A most skilful piece of manoeuvring to get it in position. The car is filthy with the expected rust and damage to the boot.

The vehicle is located in the NW6 area of London, close to Kilburn Park Underground and Kilburn High Road Overground stations. It is a considerable distance from where I live but at some time I will return and attempt to take some photos of panels.

Anyone have any thoughts as to how many Marinas such as this, unused for years - neither TAXED or SORN, are on the DVLA database?

Ian

GOOGLE STREETVIEW - Copyright
All uses of Google Maps and Google Earth Content must provide attribution to both Google and our data providers. We do not approve of any use of content without proper attribution, in any circumstance. ... But within those limits, Google says, you can use images in reports, presentations, on the web, in a print project

[MarinaCoupe]

The DVLA database is primarily there to ensure that every registration number issued has a corresponding owner. So in the event that a car is seen on the road, they know who owns it and where to send the fine if it’s not taxed. So when they manually converted from paper to bytes, all registered cars were added (along with a shed load of typos). This predates the introduction of SORN (2006 I think) so there are several types of Registration on there. Taxed, SORN, not taxed since before SORN, plus scrapped, exported, number on retention etc.

[JoshWard]

Ah yes I know the car. Seen it pop up in various photos. Would be nice to bring it back to East Anglia one day. EX is a Norfolk reg.

[Morris McKinnon]

I'd say most cars on the DVLA website that say last taxed before the sorn was introduced were scrapped years ago. A lot of my cars from the 90's and early 2000's are still registered as existing, but I know they don't because I broke most of them up myself. This was before there was sorn so just threw the log books in the bin.

[JoshWard]

Here it is! If you do happen to return, how would you feel about leaving a note asking if they would be willing to sell it? If it's any good we'd get it back on the road, if it's too far gone we would break it to help keep others on the road

[ScreamingLordStokes]

What colour would you say? Midnight blue?

[JoshWard]

Definitely blue of some kind. Could be Midnight but the photos look dark so possibly Teal.

[ScreamingLordStokes]

Well, you know your Teal Josh! Everytime I look at it I change my mind. Its a "Darker Shade of Muck" to paraphrase Procul Harum.

[Gee tc]

My car had to be confirmed with the dvla when it was put back on road .
Had been off since 1977 but still has to verify it's identity as was still on database. They even confirmed that whoever filled in its original chassis number got it wrong! They still had a copy.
Incidentally, that Mazda next to the Marina... What Car magazine pitched it against the mk3 in one if it's group tests when launched.. They weren't particularly kind to the 1.7HL they tested sadly.. Rough and noisy.

[ScreamingLordStokes]

Incidentally, that Mazda next to the Marina... What Car magazine pitched it against the mk3 in one if it's group tests when launched.. They weren't particularly kind to the 1.7HL they tested sadly.. Rough and noisy.

Yes, in the early years the Marina fared well in comparison tests against the likes of the Cortina Mk3, Firenza, Hunter etc. But even by 1975 in a test against the new Fiat 131 the reviewer noted of the MK1 1.8 SDL saloon that it was "appallingly finished and its ride is horrendous by modern standards"
It was however, still third in the April 1975 sales figures

[marina1300coupe]

Here it is! If you do happen to return, how would you feel about leaving a note asking if they would be willing to sell it? If it's any good we'd get it back on the road, if it's too far gone we would break it to help keep others on the road

Hi Josh
If/when I return I will endeavour to find out about the vehicle. This is an area where many properties are let out and I doubt that the owner is resident there, however, if anyone wants to talk I will be happy to do so.

Ian