Fast Marina Magazine

The left hand ignition switch dates back to the Mk1 Marina, all models of Mk1s in the UK had left hand ignition switches.


Chris
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So you needed three left hands to get the thing started...

Yup


Chris
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Always thought there was something strange about me...

Kilroy wrote:So you needed three left hands to get the thing started...

Key on the left, choke on the right, right foot on the "go" pedal Always worked for me, but then I am a bit strange too...


Any spare Coupe or E-series could be of interest to me. (PM replied)

Nope.

In the van it is key on the left and choke on the left.
Both are obscured by the steering wheel.
You basically need to have one hand through the steering wheel to achieve any hint of action.
I have just fitted a Mk3 saloon steering column so I now have key on the right and choke on the left.

Its a breeze..

Must have been designed for one armed paper hangers. lol

My first Mini had the key in the dash, next to the choke. iirc someone had fitted a "twist to lock" choke cable, so it needed fewer hands to get things going. Just as well for an uncoordinated person like me...

UK Mk1s had the choke on the right in the switch panel.


Chris
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MarinaCoupe wrote:UK Mk1s had the choke on the right in the switch panel.


Chris
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Same as the Aussies. So just a cost cutting exercise for the commercials?

Moving right along.
I have made some progress on the engine which will be installed in the van - but there are still some issues to resolve.
As it was only partially assembled there were bits missing. I have sourced most of same from an engine block that I gave away to my friend who now has the Coupe body.
He kindly gave them back.
Cylinder head is now properly tightened down and valves adjusted.

Meanwhile, I have been assembling a mint rear axle of the saloon variety.
Have had this assembly hanging around for years - since the earthquakes stalled my progress on the previous 575 van.
I dragged out one of my spare rear axle assemblies and attempted to remove the hubs. No way Jose.
Having exhausted all of my arsenal of tools to do this - pullers - acetylene torch - 5lb hammer - I gave up and simply removed the backplates with halfshafts and bearings attached.
These were fitted into my long suffering mint housing, and all brake parts cleaned and derusted, and new wheel cylinders fitted.
I think we are ready for new gearing.!

Cool.

Kilroy wrote:Nope.

In the van it is key on the left and choke on the left.
Both are obscured by the steering wheel.
You basically need to have one hand through the steering wheel to achieve any hint of action.
I have just fitted a Mk3 saloon steering column so I now have key on the right and choke on the left.

Its a breeze..

Yep, my morning ritual in the colder weather in the ute - being a contortionist!

Luckily in temperatures above 10C I don't need the choke

Hi Kilroy,

I note from your picture that the axle has landings for a rear anti roll bar, which vehicles had the rear ARB fitted please over there.

best wishes,

Brian

Hi Brian.

Only Mk3 saloons had the rear anti roll bar - and they had 2-leaf springs.

The Estates, pickups and vans did not have the mounting points provided on the chassis rails - presumably because they had much sturdier rear springs.
The pickup and van have the heaviest springs of all, 4-leaf and much thicker cross section than anything else - similar to home market I imagine.
I shall fit the 4-leaf Estate springs - which were also used as "heavy duty" options on Mk2 saloons over here.
Because towbars are very popular in NZ, I imagine the HD rear spring options were popular.
More than half of the Mk2 saloons I have dismantled had the HD springs, but I have never seen any installed in Mk3's which all had the anti roll bars fitted.

Fortunately, the 4-leaf springs I have for the van have been reset to a 2" lower ride height.
So thats nice...



Oh - I have several rear anti roll bars spare if anyone is seriously looking for one.

Do you have a spare set of rubbers for them too?

Youbetcha.