Fast Marina Magazine

See earlier comments BL made at least two, one for the 1974 World Cup Rally, broke it's axle in the Sahara didn't finish.

MarinaCoupe wrote:See earlier comments BL made at least two, one for the 1974 World Cup Rally, broke it's axle in the Sahara didn't finish.

... but it was running 3rd. 8)

The other was a pickup for CCC magazine. There were also V8 race or rally cars in Australia and South Africa, although not factory efforts afaik.

MarinaCoupe wrote:See earlier comments BL made at least two, one for the 1974 World Cup Rally, broke it's axle in the Sahara didn't finish.

The axle that broke was a Ford diff - the only mechanical part on the car that wasn't a BL part . The people on board had a few trials and tribulations along the way, but nothing that simple repairs (and some bodges) couldn't fix - a tough car.

cdk343v wrote:

MarinaCoupe wrote:See earlier comments BL made at least two, one for the 1974 World Cup Rally, broke it's axle in the Sahara didn't finish.

The axle that broke was a Ford diff - the only mechanical part on the car that wasn't a BL part . The people on board had a few trials and tribulations along the way, but nothing that simple repairs (and some bodges) couldn't fix - a tough car.

Has anyone read "A Boot Full of Right Arms", Evan Green's account of the 1974 World Cup Marathon? Does it have any pics of the V8 Marina? Some info here.

Yup great book specially the bit about finding Stirling Moss in the desert in a Mercedes that had run out of water.

Made me want to find a P76 in the UK and take it rallying.

MarinaCoupe wrote:Yup great book specially the bit about finding Stirling Moss in the desert in a Mercedes that had run out of water.

Made me want to find a P76 in the UK and take it rallying.

You're not the only one. A local Kiwi guy felt the same - check it out here. 8)

locost_bryan wrote:Has anyone read "A Boot Full of Right Arms", Evan Green's account of the 1974 World Cup Marathon? Does it have any pics of the V8 Marina?

Yes, and it does have a pic.

Ausmarina wrote:

locost_bryan wrote:Has anyone read "A Boot Full of Right Arms", Evan Green's account of the 1974 World Cup Marathon? Does it have any pics of the V8 Marina?

Yes, and it does have a pic.

A different one to the ones on "the V8 Route" page at marinacoupe.co.uk? Does the book give much info on the Marina?

cdk343v wrote:The axle that broke was a Ford diff - the only mechanical part on the car that wasn't a BL part .

Just the diff, or was the whole axle a Ford item? I'd read that it was the only non-ST part on the car, but had thought it was maybe a Quaife LSD in a MGB axle. Had read somewhere that it used MGC running gear (bigger brakes etc), but MGB V8 always seemed a better choice to me. Anyone know for sure?

I'd have to go with :

Orange Coupe
5 Speed conversion (love mine)
Either a worked 2.0L sprint conversion, or a TC 1800B with a turbo setup running about 12psi.
Dropped on spindles and some decent leaves in the back.
Set of extremely wide modgies or chrome dipped widened steelies with the guards widened just enough to fit on front.
Set of matte black steelies with cheap tires on the rear. :twisted:
Prehaps a locked up diff or something stronger than standard.

Pretty much sums it up, though I love my marina as it is.

Hi Mods,

The V8 conversation is hijacking the Dream Marina conversation - can you move us please? I have created another string here.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4243

locost_bryan wrote:

cdk343v wrote:The axle that broke was a Ford diff - the only mechanical part on the car that wasn't a BL part .

Just the diff, or was the whole axle a Ford item? I'd read that it was the only non-ST part on the car, but had thought it was maybe a Quaife LSD in a MGB axle. Had read somewhere that it used MGC running gear (bigger brakes etc), but MGB V8 always seemed a better choice to me. Anyone know for sure?

The MGC had three axle options depending on whether the original car was auto / manual / manual + overdrive. The options were 3.7:1 3.3:1 3.07:1
Each of these 3 axles was avaliable in 2 widths depending on whether steel wheels or wire wheels were to be fitted giving 6 axle options in total for MGC's

The 3.07:1 axle (1/2" wider steel wheel version) was re-used 3 years later when MG bought out the factory V8.

With respect to B series axles, much is the same as C / V8. Half shafts are identical. The crown wheel is the same however the V8 crown wheel is machined slightly differently on the back and the pinion is obviously different. Brakes are the same on the back - the MG V8 model did get better brakes on the front in the form of a slightly wider disk and bespoke calipers made up of half an MGB 1800 caliper and half a Triumph 2000 caliper.
It is possible to exchange MGC rear hubs for the V8 / 1800 hubs. The MGC having a 5 stud pattern which is the same as Jag / chevvy pcd.

-JC.

I am interested in fitting a T series engine to my marina but i think a new diff would be need to cope with extra power, also fit a set coilover dampers from morris minor Monte carlo unsure yet tho as this new marina is very standard