Fast Marina Magazine

Just thought I would introduce myself and say hello!

My name is Al and I'm from New York in Lincolnshire. I have just agreed to buy my mates 1974 Marina Sun Tor.

I met a chap called Brian ealier on this year at East Kirkby who owns a Marina, which was magazine featured (I was in my Manta) and would like to get in touch with him again.

I am planning to fit the Dolomite Sprint running gear to my Sun Tor, if anyone can offer advice?

I know of one such conversion to a Marina that was in the Bristol area about 4 years ago. Is it still out and about?

Hi Al,
Welcome to the forum, Dolly Sprint sounds like it could be an interesting beast when finished can't offer any advice sorry but best of luck with your project.
Steve

Hello mate

I am thinking the Sprint conversion will prove fairly simple, what with BL rationalization taking place about the same time the Marina and Dolomite were built......?!

Probably not

Welcome Al,

The Brian that you met was probably Brian Viney - his car is featured on the MMOC website at the moment. Brian has fitted a Dolly Sprint rear axle.

BL Competitions evidently fitted a Dolly Sprint engine to a Marina and told the driver/navigator not to tell anyone on the rallies. Brian Culcheth reckons it was better than the Dolly Sprint on gravel. It can be done!

Hi mate

I agree the competitions department did fiddle with the Sprint parts in a Marina, but I would think squeezing a fully tooled up car past scruteneering and into an actual rally competition would have been a challenge!

But I could be very wrong, after all those were the days when all sorts of challenges were met!

I'm still trying to make sense of the whole BL history after 18 years of on/off Triumph ownership!

Which brings me neatly to buying a Marina and why?

I love the underdog!

As for Brian, this sounds like the same chap as I remember him saying he was going to fit a Sprint axle to his Marina.

I know he is fairly local to me, so it would be nice to meet him again and see his Marina in the flesh.

He was in another classic when we met!

Hi Al, welcome aboard mate, sounds like you have quite a collection there, it does sound to me like the Brian you are trying to locate is Brian Viney, he has a radically modified TC Coupe which featured recently in Retro Cars Magazine, he would certainly be the chap to talk to, as regards modification. Good luck with the Suntor, we are always here if you need any help Frank.

Hi Frank, Thats the Brian!

Unfortunately the collection is TOO large and I will be parting with at least two vehicles very soon....!

Before the Mrs finds out I have them!!!

I know the feeling mate, my collection has expanded lately after years of having just the 3 Marinas, i now have 5 and 4 Mini`s!, still you have to have something to do in your spare time

When I last spoke to Brian Culcheth he told me he always liked the Marina to drive better than the Dolomite. The Dolomite being a "pig" in the bends in his words!..

He also told me that he always sugested they fit a Sprint engine in the Marina, but they woundn't due to it being a Triumph engine..

Have just emailed Pat Ryan (Brian's replacement in the Marina) to see if he can remember anything...

Hi mate

I'm not going to get involved in a BL political debate about which car is best!

But as for engine rationalization I would have gone this direction;
1275 A series, 1500 E series, 1700 O series, 2.0/2.0 16v Triumph, 2.6 Rover (Triumph designed!) and the 3.5 V8 Rover.

Typical BL of the period to squabble about something as simple as an engine!

It would be good to hear if Pat knows any more!

Hi Al,
was it you I met at RR-07?

Just had an email back from Pat, says its news to him, and never saw anything like that going on..

In passing I asked when we would see him behind a rally wheel again (hinting that if Hopkirk can do it?..) and he replied "Just need someone to offer me a car" Anyone up for building a works spec car!...

Marinanut wrote:Hi Al,
was it you I met at RR-07?

Hi mate, I suspect you were talking to my mate Graham (who I am buying the Sun Tor off) at Retro Rides.

Unfortunatley, I don't think Pat would enjoy throwing a camper around a forest stage!!!