Fast Marina Magazine

Trevor Goodwin and Ian Harrop contacted the MMOC some time ago to look at their rally Marina Coupe as they thought that it was AOX, we put a Featured Car on our website about it. Well we've been working with the team and together with Basil Wales (1970s ST Manager) and one of the original mechanics, we have verified it as AOX. Persuading the DVLA is a different matter though. The car already carries a later BL Competitions Department registration issued after they stopped ralying the Marina, evidently at that time if you failed to keep a car taxed for some then you lost the registration, so BL Competitions Department had to reregister it on an R plate.

Trevor and Ian were planning on taking the car out for her first competitive rally at Goodwood the other weekend and took her along to a rolling road for a tune up; the car is running an Arden 8 Port head and 4 Amal carbs. Unfortunately whilst on the rolling road, she suffered quite a bad underbonnet fire, so no rally at Goodwood. They hope to get her rebuilt for the next historic rally Weston Park, near Telford on 21st March. Stuart Hamilton the MMOC Hampshire Area Rep, met them at Goodwood and offered to help with spares, as have I . I don't know what's needed yet but if we don't have them in our own parts stashes, then I may comeback here with requests for parts.

I have posted some pictures below of the car before the fire. If anyone has any colour pics of the car in 1971 on the RAC, can you email me copies to pass on the Trevor & Ian, as they need more period documentation before they go to the DVLA for the original number.

Lovely car.

Does she still race?

That's exactly what I am saying, they are trying to get her out into the forests to rally her again.

Glad you got the pics chris

8)

Just heard from Ian with a shopping list of parts, they aren't looking for freebies, although need to keep costs down.

• Windscreen rubber (I have a spare they can have)
• Wiper Motor - anyone got a spare?
• Plastic Instrument panel (‘71 car), I have asked which part they need and will come back, although I expect it's the black two dial Mk1 pod.
• Bonnet, ideally local to Coventry/Birmingham area so the can pick up

They also need a boot lock, one like the TC with the outside spinner so they can open it on a rally without a key.

It seems that one or more of the separate fuel lines leaked petrol under pressure and squirted it all over the engine bay - you can guess the rest.

Time is important here as they want to get the car to the next rally in March. All help appreciated.

Wonder where i could get some door bars for the rollcage?

make um lee i can get you the material if you want let me know mate

Ian Harrop has contacted me asking if I can track down a pair of the thicker torsion bars for AOX. Can anyone help them out? As fitted to 10cwt/575 vans and all pickups.

All power to the team, hope they can get it sorted in time. Good to see something positive happening to remind people that Marinas could be very competetive rally cars, in 1.3 class at least.

Now looking for halfshafts and rear hubs as well, broke one and need some spares.

Pics from MIRA rally where they broke the half-shaft.

http://www.rallygallery.com/2010_DISIS3.aspx?Page=25

Looks much better than the two Froggie pocket rockets on the same page.

Did they lose a wheel in the third pic :shock: ? Or did they dislodge a tyre from one of the tyre stacks?

I have 2 off Marina halfshafts you can have if you like and either make doorbars yourself or buy some from Escort & Rally Spares, Peter Lloyd Rallying or similar.

I have the entire rear hub assembly with half shafts for both sides. If you want them drop me a PM.

Thanks

Hi Guys, PM me your contact details (phone and Email) and I'll pass them on today, Ian or Trevor will contact you direct.