Newest Marina

[ct90dave]

I was just wondering who has the latest manufactured and registered Marina? I have a Mk3 1700 estate that was first registered on the 29th of October 1982, the chassis number is NP5WKS8011600. I am not sure when they stopped making them over here ( New Zealand ) but I would assume that the last few sat around on dealers yards for a while. As I am of the whipper snapperish variety I cant remember back then. Perhaps someone who is more advantaged in the chronological department can shed some light.
Happy New Year
Nigel

[80mojo]

Perhaps someone who is more advantaged in the chronological department can shed some light.

Can't help you with the details of the last Marina, but I love that statement!!! ^^^

British Leyland built 953,576 of these cars between 1971 and 1980 according to PC so I guess yours could be one of the last registered.

*edit*

According to wikipedia the NZ operation ceased building in 1981. Anyone know any more?

Wiki link here...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Marina

[Kilroy]

Consider me chronologically superior.

I have these chappies...

8011473 1700 Estate 1981
8011818 1700 1980
8011904 1700 1981
8012082 575 Van 1981
8012146 1700 1981
8012230 1700 Estate 1982
8012729 575 Van 1981

Anyone got a later Marina.?
Is it for sale.?

Cheers all,
Kilroy

PS. Yesterdays photo.. Looking good for 2010.!

[ct90dave]

What date in 1982 is your estate registered?
BBK has always looked stunning(in your ownership).

[Kilroy]

10 Feb '82

Thanks for the comment Nigel.
Different car, same pose, 2005...

[ct90dave]

Would be interesting to find out when the last one was registered. I was shocked to discover mine was as late as the end of October 1982. That's what got me thinking could I possibly have one of the last registered Marina's in the world? Interesting thought. Those 2 photos of yours Kilroy, They could be used for a spot the difference on the Krypton factor. Its a fantastic thing that these photos could happen 5 years apart no matter what cars they featured. The fact it is 2 Marina's makes it that little bit more special.

[Kilroy]

You're right Dude - the more I look at the two pics, the less I can believe it..!
Even the angle of the wheels looks to be exactly posed.
Now that I have a third sandglow saloon I will have to go for the hat-trick..!
Getting a bit expensive on the wheels though.
Next set I am going to try will be standard Mk3 steels widened to 7" with standard trims.
I think it may have a certain something...?
Marinas in 2010 - yes I think so.

Hit me...



So help me chaps - is this what a 59 year old is supposed to look like.?
Reckon I'm far too disrespectful to be this age.!!

Kilroy

[locost_bryan]

Trying to pass for Ronnie Woods? :P

According to www.carjam.co.nz, BBK865 was originally JR3474, first registered 8th July 1980.

On my work laptop, I have a spreadsheet with the rego details for all the NZ Marinas I've seen pics of. What's your rego, Nigel. Will let you know tomorrow who comes up as the youngest.

[ct90dave]

Thanks for that Brian. My rego is KX1431.

[Kilroy]

BBK aka JR3474 = 8011818

I found another - 8012447 = KE5322 = 24 July 1981

What fun..!

[ct90dave]

Mine must have sat around on a yard for a while, Its number 8011600 but registered on 29th October 1982. That chassis number suggests that it was assembled earlier than all but one of Kilroy's, but then it sat all lonely for a year or two longing for someone to take it home.
Sorry about the incorrect spelling of your name Bryan, bit of lunchtime brain fade I think.

[80mojo]

Mine must have sat around on a yard for a while.

That used to happen quite a bit in the 70's and 80's.

My Manta was registered in July 73 but was built some time before Aug 72. A year of sitting before it was registered. Works well for free tax though

On the other hand, my mates was registered about two months before mine, but the build date was only a month before that.

It all depends on what models/colours were in demand I think. The factory used to knock them out in batches and if they weren't bought they sat around. Compare that to today when you have to pre-order a new car and wait for one in the right colour, spec etc. Either that or buy a pre-registered one.

[Gee tc]

HI,
Happy New Year!

I remember that when the Ital came out (Jun 80) that there were lots of 1.3 non-A+ engined Marinas
that were sold off cheaply as pre registered cars featuring a W (Aug 80 onwards) prefix.
There were a load of these effectively dumped on dealers to clear (as they were at my Dad's place).
Mostly yellow and beige(Ital colours) and had 'GJW***W' registrations. Similar GJW registrations appeared on the press vehicles of that era i.e. the new Metro, Allegro 3's and Maxi 2's.
These were Austin Rover registered in Birmingham and sent around the dealer/fleet network to get shut, as the A series engine was now redundant with the A+ having recently been introduced in the Metro and Allegro 3 . Rear axle ratios and the distributors were slightly different from the Ital so these were also a reason to help clear these components, presumably through fleet and auction sales to the trade. Adverts also appeared in the press at the time with major reductions to clear Mk3 Marinas as the new Ital was now in production.
As for the body VIN numbers, it would be interesting to see as the shells were probably much older then the first registration dates?
The last ever, an Ital estate, of course being presently at Gaydon.

Tony

[locost_bryan]

BBK aka JR3474 = 8011818

I found another - 8012447 = KE5322 = 24 July 1981

24/07/81 KE1484 Morris 1700 saloon Red (formerly KE5322) (Kilroy #15)
29/07/81 KB4866 Morris 1700 saloon Brown chassis #MAHLL18PB8012146 (Kilroy #?)
27/11/81 KE6497 Austin 575 van Red chassis #8012729 (kilroy #14)
15/12/81 KL9532 Morris Marina utility Red chassis #MAPHD18PB8012647 (owned by Zeb)
10/02/82 KM9343 Morris 1700 station wagon Blue chassis #MP5WK58012230 (Kilroy #2)
29/10/82 KX1431 Morris 1700 station wagon Brown chassis #NP5WKS8011600 (Nigel)

[locost_bryan]

I have found two later plate numbers, but both were registered a few days before Nigel's.

KX2119 Morris Marina 1700 Station Wagon Blue 21/10/82 dereg 3/9/98
KX2143 Morris Marina 4400 Saloon Red 28/10/82 dereg 31/10/95

The latter car was licensed "Exempt Class A", which was given to off-road vehicles including circuit racing cars. I suspect this could be the Coupe that was raced in the Sports Sedan class at Baypark Raceway (Tauranga), with a mid-mounted Leyland P76 V8 (possibly Repco F5000 version) and a Hewland F5000 transaxle.