What's the realistic chances of finding a 1.8 GT Coupe?

Post by **balmy** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:50 pm

And that 'police' car is so not worth that money!

Post by **MarinaCoupe** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 11:01 pm

The police car was on EBay the other day, I don't know whether it sold or was withdrawn.

Paul - we're only jealous mate.

Clan Chieftain · Post by **Clan Chieftain** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 11:17 pm

It was withdrawn because it infringed ebay rules on police logo......"allegedly"

MGBV8 · Post by **MGBV8** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 12:30 am

MarinaCoupe wrote:mgbv8

Mk1 1.8 Marinas, came in 3 trim levels TC, Super Deluxe (SDL), Deluxe (DL), plus Jubilee special editions (I had to say that otherwise Paul would get the hump). TC cars come as Coupes and Saloons, SDLs and DLs come as Coupes, Saloons and Estates. Auto was optional on all models The SDL & DL variants have a single 1 3/4" SU carb and a torquier but slightly lower power cam, the DL has low compression pistons. You can tell an SDL or DL by the bar across the grille, like my one in the avatar on the right of this entry. All the normal rules about B series tuning apply however, my own is running, gas-flowed, skimmed unleaded head, Piper 270 cam and twim 1 1/2" SUs on upgraded needles, 5 speed Sierra gearbox. All Mk1 Marinas ran the so called "bigger valve" 18V head beloved of MGB tuners.

Mk2s are very similar in range, the big change from the Mk1 was the interior, where the dashboard was changed entirely for a more modern looking unit - some peopl like it and some don't. The trim levels make it harder to distinguish a 1.8 from a 1.3 (no doubt someone here will put me straight on that). The range topper was the GT (instead of the TC) as a Coupe or the same trim level in a four door saloon is called the HL. A great and relatively cheap way of boning up on differences is buying sales literature off EBay, there are plenty of BL brochures listed and they are usually only a pound or two plus postage. Mk2 Marina GTs share the engine with the rubber bumper MGbs.

To complete the picture Mumford in Devon made convertible Marinas (based on a Crayford design), Franks avatar is a MK1 TC one of these.

I'm not sure there are many forum members on here in the Derbyshire area, maybe someone will come forward. If you want to drive down to Bedford I'll happily oblige. I would suggest getting up close and personal with a few cars before deciding what you want exactly, the best place is through the club. If you go to http://www.morrismarina.org.uk there is a link on the front page to Car Shows and Runs. Unlike MG clubs that run their own shows, we generally attend open shows, why not book your V8 into a show that we are attending and come and have a good look?

Although less than in the past, some cars only come up through the club quarterly magazine, so think about joining up - membership is Â£18.00 per year and an application can be downloaded from the website.

Thank you, once again! A lot of information to digest there.
I take your point on stocking up on some sales literature. I'll do that anyway since I have a small collection of MG, Triumph and Jaguar sales literature.
I think you're a little bit too far for a run out, but I appriciate the offer. However, perhaps when the weather warms up a little? - The heater in the V8 is useless!
I will have a good look at the selection of events and bring the V8 along to one of them - it would certainly be good to put some names to faces.

Must say, I quite like the MK2 dash. I think it's quite stylish! Anyway, it's my birthday on the 15th so I think I'll take up your advise and treat myself to MMOC membership for a year. I hope you don't actually have to own a Marina to join - I'm still working on that one!

Cheers,

Jon.

Post by **MarinaCoupe** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 8:23 am

Hi Jon

You are welcome to come down later in the year if you want to. Marina ownership not compulsory tobecome a club member.

Post by **balmy** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 8:34 am

Clan Chieftain wrote:It was withdrawn because it infringed ebay rules on police logo......"allegedly"

For the third time...... Hmmm.

Clan Chieftain · Post by **Clan Chieftain** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 11:46 am

Whatever happened to the rotten rally motor that was on you tube a while back. That had all the goodies on the dash. Maybe some seriously rich member will buy it. :shock:

Post by **MarinaCoupe** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 1:23 pm

That video was quite old.

The guy had an inflated idea of the value of the parts - he wanted Â£2,500 just for the TerraTrip!

His position was - if you want a car suitable to enter into historic rallies then you'll pay for it. There's no doubting the originality of the shell etc. being original BL Special Tuning, but 20 years of outside storage with the windows open have left it with more rust than metal.

Number 63 · Post by **Number 63** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 8:56 pm

Does that not say 'For Sale' in the window? Can't really make it out TBH.. Maybe MARINAMAN480 could confirm... Taken from the Brooklands pictures that he posted up.

'tis a 1.8 according to the DVLA.

MGBV8 · Post by **MGBV8** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 9:27 pm

Number 63 wrote:Does that not say 'For Sale' in the window? Can't really make it out TBH.. Maybe MARINAMAN480 could confirm... Taken from the Brooklands pictures that he posted up.
'tis a 1.8 according to the DVLA.

Now, that's a car! It's got my favorite grille on it too!
I don't suppose anyone has the contact details for the owner by any chance?

Number 63 · Post by **Number 63** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:18 pm

PM MARINAMAN480 to see if he could confirm if it was for sale or has a better photo that you might be able to see if there is a phone number....

Just needs some nice wide alloys and a bit of lowering like Balmy's lovely TC Coupe :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

mikmik · Post by **mikmik** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 11:16 pm

Car porn! ^^^^^^^^^^^

Post by **balmy** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 7:59 am

OI! She's MINE!

MARINAMAN480 · Post by **MARINAMAN480** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 7:18 pm

That coupe that was at brooklands is for sale and when i spoke to the guy he said it was A tc and has it listed for sale as a tc he was looking for around Â£500 how ever the was a rust hole in the bonnet and the roof was painted brown and all the paint had fine cracks in it, interior did not look to bad tho it does drive.
when i get on my other pc i will blow up the pic so you all can read the the for sale sign

Chicken Hawk · Post by **Chicken Hawk** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 7:24 pm

I didnt realise the TC's where getting so thin on the ground!! Just pulled mine out of four years in storage and fingers crossed will be at the national this year

And like that cracking orange coupe,a few mods will make them look sexy as you like 8)

Hope you find the right car for you,one will turn up before you know it

Fast Marina Magazine