Fast Marina Magazine

Help, I'm after advice here, being a long standing Marina nut I currently have two Marinas. Dark Green Mk1's, 1974 Super/Super Deluxe but both are off the road at the moment; 1 since '84 (Saloon) and the other (Coupe) only a couple of years due to other commitments. It's the saloon I have the problem with, my older brother was the second owner of the car, the first owner drove it briefly then stored it, and it was immaculate when I first saw it and my dad loved it. So the long and complicated life of the marina begins in our family. Looking at the log book it doesn't specify the number of keepers but it’s probably into double figures now and it has only left the circle of three brothers once. It's been the victim of two hit and runs; one paying out a full value insurance claim (damage to the front wing and chassis, was duly repaired and put back on the road), it's been shot at and bears the scars on the drivers door, it's got an Ital engine, seats have seen better days and the carpets perished after brothers wife spilt a bottle of milk on it in Summer! All these things happened some time ago.

Here is the Dilemma; it needs a total strip down and rebuild, but it is 4th in line behind a GT6, LR90 and the Coupe. I have managed to collect most of the required parts over time (All New) ; Bonnet, front wing, lower Mk1 front valance, drivers side front and back door skins, rear wheel arch repair panels (Both sides) , boot lid, light cluster panel and rear valance. Parts still needed; Drivers door quarter light glass, drivers’ side rear door glass and the other front wing.

To help my conscience I had given it to my older brother for the cost of the parts and interest free credit (pay me when you can stuff) but after a year (ish) he wants to give it back. I could use some of the parts on the coupe but I'd rather get them from elsewhere. What do I do

Personally, I'd say unless you are pushed for space, keep the saloon somewhere dry until you can get round to it.

Second option - sell her to a new owner (not via eBay) who wants to have a go at a MK1. By the sound of it it's quite a big project. What I wouldn't do is put her on the open market, as the suspension and engine will likely go into a Minor and the rest will be lost.

Breaking would be my least favourite option, unless you were to strip her down to the bare shell and then sell off the parts to Marina owners. With the small number of cars about now, all the parts will be wanted by someone but it may take some time to move everything.

Keep it, dont break it.

You don't expect to get balanced feedback from here - do you?

Well if you have the storage space, I'd keep the coupe in it until you gather all the panels required for that, break the GT6 and use the wheels on your newly restored Marina saloon and ignore the LR90.... :P

But seriously, if time is your problem (as it is mine :roll: ), then do whichever you can first. One restoration is enough for most people but 4 is bordering on lunacy.. I'd vote for doing the coupe because thats the body style I like the most but if you have the panels for the saloon, you could crack on with that. As for the GT6 and the LR90, I guess it depends on the place they hold in your heart so its up to you.

With the rarity factor of Marinas now, I would'nt ever vote for breaking it.

The car has been in your family long enough to belong, scraping this loyal family servant would be like the death of a pet, so I would agree with the others, stash it until you have time, or as I do with my rusty Mk1 estate that my father bought new, keep it as it is as a tribute to happy days gone by........I sit inside my estate to meditate once in awhile and am glad to still have it even though it needs £3000 to restore it tidily to roadworthiness

You! Get on with restoring that estate

Well can you think of a better way to spend 3 grand?