Bugger This.. I'm Going FORD!

ClaytonSpeed · Post by **ClaytonSpeed** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 6:46 pm

In reply to MarinaST

Thanks Stephen,

I understand your comments but the main reason I went this route was because I wanted to be 100% different from the crowd. I wanted to build a car that is both practical and fun but also will handle better without loads of weight over the front wheels. I could have used the old T Series engine but that was going to be very agricultural for the finished article. This way it is easier to fit and parts are readily available off the shelf. Oh and I don't have to use that horrid LT77 box that is more like a boat anchor !

Anyway, in that racing situation against a cosworth owner it would be even more fun to pop the bonnet to show off one of there own!!

Ben

The Exorcist · Post by **The Exorcist** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 7:10 pm

I'm afraid you have released the age old debate between original and modified Ben. We have been up against this for years with the M. Minor, but to be honest we no longer care if anyone has anything negative to say about our projects, I just see it as their problem.
As with modifying the Minor I was pleased that we were able to develop our Zetec kit and braking packages for you to use in the Marina/Itals. It means that you can offer a professionally engineered product and therefore save a car being ruined by bodged ,bad engineering, the way so many classic cars meet their end.
I hope that the front coil kit will be as successful and that we can develop the 5 or 6 link to squeeze into the Marina's chassis. I'm looking forward to picking up my TC to develop a few other mods I have been mulling over since you were in the workshop.
As you say Ben, it takes all sorts, so, standard or modified we should all be united in saving our classic cars, in this particular case at least we Minor guy's are not responsible for pinching the engines and suspension parts.

Cannot wait until the 'Zerina' is painted and those 8x15's are fitted. Maybe next year we'll fit that Rotrex supercharger

ClaytonSpeed · Post by **ClaytonSpeed** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 7:19 pm

Thanks Jonathon for helping out, the car looks all the better for the JLH touch. I do hope we can look into the coil over and 5/6 link later on as this would certainly finish it off.

Let me know your thoughts on your own Marina I am intrigued!

Ben

The Exorcist · Post by **The Exorcist** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 7:56 pm

I'm afraid my 'Zerina' will have to wait a while, as my racer is now having to take priority over my spare time. Nothing too radical,at least, not in external appearance.

Clan Chieftain · Post by **Clan Chieftain** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:09 pm

8) good grief ben, with all your years of experience in marinas you must be about 50.
as for my back axle. the only reason i have fitted an 1800 axle is the 1300 axle is perforated. at least i am not hacking lumps out of it to fit something alien. when a 1300 axle becomes available it will be fitted.

d13ker67 · Post by **d13ker67** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:23 pm

I think i mite convert my 1972 tax free van now and sell the 1976 van to pay for it

ClaytonSpeed · Post by **ClaytonSpeed** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:49 pm

d13ker67 wrote:I think i mite convert my 1972 tax free van now and sell the 1976 van to pay for it

Nice one Richard! Let me know if you need anything!

ClaytonSpeed · Post by **ClaytonSpeed** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:52 pm

larryital wrote:8) good grief ben, with all your years of experience in marinas you must be about 50.
as for my back axle. the only reason i have fitted an 1800 axle is the 1300 axle is perforated. at least i am not hacking lumps out of it to fit something alien. when a 1300 axle becomes available it will be fitted.

Quite possible Larry. How ever I think here we have to agree to disagree. You like standard and nothing else, I like standard and modified.

ClaytonSpeed · Post by **ClaytonSpeed** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:53 pm

The Exorsist wrote:I'm afraid my 'Zerina' will have to wait a while, as my racer is now having to take priority over my spare time. Nothing too radical,at least, not in external appearance.

Look forward to it! I'll call you monday about getting it.

Ben

Marinanut · Post by **Marinanut** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:09 pm

Well done Ben! Get this car in PPC, Practical Classic et al and maybe, just maybe some of those cars that end their days as donors to 'other' Morrises will have a future. I know Larry doesn't like it, but what would you rather have; Marinas and Itals being scrapped because 'it is too difficult to fit new engines/suspension' after being raped for Minor parts, or the cars continuing with a developed kit to replace those missing bits, albeit with 'foreign' components? Look on Ben's work as the required development to save the cars long term future.
My GT has a B series engine, Triumph Dolomite overdrive gearbox, bespoke prop and MGB axle. I know there are less than 9 left, and to be honest I would not do the work today, but the car exists and can be retro'd back to standard within days. There is room for everything and this is no different from the 'Mazdarina' from the 1980's, or the 'Sprint Ital Coupe', or even the 2.8 V6 Marina......

JIM73 · Post by **JIM73** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:55 pm

Hear !! Hear !! 8) Keep up the good work Ben !! Might be interested in a conversion myself !!

ClaytonSpeed · Post by **ClaytonSpeed** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 10:09 pm

Marinanut wrote:Well done Ben! Get this car in PPC, Practical Classic et al and maybe, just maybe some of those cars that end their days as donors to 'other' Morrises will have a future. I know Larry doesn't like it, but what would you rather have; Marinas and Itals being scrapped because 'it is too difficult to fit new engines/suspension' after being raped for Minor parts, or the cars continuing with a developed kit to replace those missing bits, albeit with 'foreign' components? Look on Ben's work as the required development to save the cars long term future.
My GT has a B series engine, Triumph Dolomite overdrive gearbox, bespoke prop and MGB axle. I know there are less than 9 left, and to be honest I would not do the work today, but the car exists and can be retro'd back to standard within days. There is room for everything and this is no different from the 'Mazdarina' from the 1980's, or the 'Sprint Ital Coupe', or even the 2.8 V6 Marina......

Thanks Mike. It means a lot to me that people recognize the engineering and fact that this is helping to save our cars.

I will contact PPC and PC once the car is back on the road in the Spring. Frank is painting her so I'd rather show it off once that is done. If you want to spread it around any forums be my guest but let me know the links you set up?

I've already been asked to build one more and I know that JLH themselves are building one later this year as I supplied the car for it! I am hoping that the disc kits sell well as this is more of a safety mod rather than an "Alien" conversion...

I'm happy with the ol gal and ok it's a TC but hey better cars have been scrapped so I'm giving this an extended life! And no I won't ever sell her!

Thank you to all that posted positive comments. I look forward to seeing you all at this years shows!

By the way... The primary build took less than 2 months... =) Amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it! !

ClaytonSpeed · Post by **ClaytonSpeed** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 10:10 pm

JIM73 wrote:Hear !! Hear !! 8) Keep up the good work Ben !! Might be interested in a conversion myself !!

Yeah baby! Wheres Adz? He needs one too!!

JIM73 · Post by **JIM73** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 10:20 pm

Yeah i know !! He's talking about it actually but maybe on another car !! I don't think he wants to strip his one again !!

ClaytonSpeed · Post by **ClaytonSpeed** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 10:21 pm

Well between you, me, Frank and Adz we can get the MK3 done mate! What you think?