Fast Marina Magazine

Wondering what would need to be done to a Marina 1700 estate to make it suitable for towing a Marina race car on a braked trailer?

Just repower with a 2 litre O-series? Suspension and/or brake upgrades? Wider wheels and tyres?

I'm thinking lower an inch or so, with 205/60x13 tyres on 13x7 rims, and a set of uprated brake pads.

Would need to cruise around 100kmh (60mph).

Many moons ago, I used a Marina 1750 Coupe (not a TC!) to tow my Mini race car on an unbraked dual-axle rental trailer. Handled the job ok up to about 80kmh, but stopping took a bit of planning. :shock:

Personally, I would'nt lower it as you'll need that suspension travel for your trailer and car weight. I would deffo think about brake upgrades and more than upgraded pads as the discs are super thin. You could go for the same type of discs that chris did on his coupe (Mazda MX5 or 323 IIRC) and either space out your current calipers, use princess 4-pots, use M16 replacement willwoods or go for a root around your local scrappys for a good alternative. Wider wheels and better rubber is always no bad thing either.

The 1.7 O-series is fairly torquey so should'nt be too bad although a 2.0 is very very torquey and bigger is better so if its available, I'd go for it.. :mrgreen:

Oh, and I'd go for a tele conversion on the front end too..

I see Kilroy has some photos on his website, of his lowered Estate towing a Marina on a trailer. Seems to have coped ok, but any comments Kilroy?

Cheers,
Bryan.

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Comments yes.
My estate is an auto - so I prefer not to tow anything too far with it.
Although the BW65 has provision for a cooler to be fitted - none of mine have one - and we all know what overheating an auto does..
The 'moss' car I towed about 30 miles with no problems, and I only have standard brakes.
The trailer had brakes - mind you - the trailer was so bloody heavy that I didn't really notice the difference after putting the car on it..!
I have used the same trailer to deliver 3 bodies to the scrap now, and all of those maoeuvres went off without a hitch.
If you'll pardon that expression...
Cheers.

I would be more concerned about the legality of towing a Marina with a Marina. I think if you check its towing capacity you would not be able to do it.

Regards.

Fortunately, I'm not concerned about the legality of anything.
I like to 'test the envelope' I guess you'd say.
Once again - if I were going to tow that lot any great distance - or over any testing terrain - then I would have made other arrangements.
We are so regulated by laws these days - many of which are applied in a manner that has little to do with their origins.
I am a much safer road user than many who manage to be dangerous whilst operating within the law - so its really up to the individual to take the necessary precautions.

What does the handbook give for braked and unbraked towing weights?