Fast Marina Magazine

As a new bloke, how do you distinguish between the marks?

The grills seem to me a little confusing......

Help!

Hey Al, the grills are the only thing I have sussed at the moment!!

the 1.3s have a "split" grill like Purples coupes lovely car


1.8s have a straight grill heres a nice one of Larrys


and TC's have a red (or yellow if they are jubilees) band in the grill and a nice TC badge as you can see here


HOWEVER I think the 1.3 split grill may only be on mk1 1.3s as cruising through the garage there seem to be a lot listed as 1.3s with a grill like Larrys 1.8. But its a good rule of thumb

heres the solid center grill



(although its listed as a 1.5??? on the website I came across it on to illustrate!)

There is a fast and easy way to distinguish the different marks of Marina
Mk.1......slimline bumpers, "Marina" script badge on bonnet. J to P reg.
Mk.2......highline deep bumpers, alloy grille on all models. P to S reg.
Mk.3......thick chunky bumpers with black plastic end caps. T to W reg.
Then of course you have the square headlamped Ital....W to B reg.
There are of course loads of exceptions to the above, but that gives you a good rough guide.

[quote="~Sam~"]Hey Al, the grills are the only thing I have sussed at the moment!!

the 1.3s have a "split" grill like Purples coupes lovely car


I love that one! just wants a nice set of wheels on it...

Thats great, thanks folks!

Maybe I'm biased, but I prefer the 1.3 MK1 grill!

Looks like more thought went into the design and dare I say it a little Dolomity?!

Just as everyone has got you straight on the whole bumper/grille issue i just want to throw out the red herring, USA specification Marina..

Lol there's always one! Is that the standard grill for 1.3's and 1.8s then? I know the GT has the badge in the middle like the TCs...

~Sam~ wrote:Lol there's always one! Is that the standard grill for 1.3's and 1.8s then? I know the GT has the badge in the middle like the TCs...

They only had 1.8's in the states. 1.3's didn't make the journey!

That is the standard grille for 74 and 75 export Marinas which were only exported across the Atlantic with 1800cc single carb engines. The decision to put these larger bumpers on was to conform to American crash impact standards, the same law which resulted in MGBs and Midgets getting a similar makeover. 1973 export Marinas had the wider grille same as the TC with a GT badge or a 1.8 badge sitting in the middle depending on the body style. They retained the valance panel indicators - same as UK MK1s.

Red Herring photo number 2 courtesy of "Canadian Marina"



Are we confused now?

the bumpers are HUGE!

So is that second one a straight 1.8? Or is that what you want me to think and its really a GT?

Yes I am confused

Ok, I have dug myself into a hole here. Over here, the GT designation means nothing except "2 door" that's all. All engines (except carbs) are the same. The second picture is a 1977 export Marina - the export of Marinas carried on a couple of years to Canada after the American run was done in 1975.

Apologies for the confusion.

I'm sure I was the only person confused so don't apologise! I have come out of the confusion into the "ahhhh" place on the other side!

Makes a lot more sence now! Although does that mean Dorris (Midnight Blue saloon) shouldnt have GT badge?

Dorris isn't Midnight Blue! It's Metropolitan Police blue! Also it was origionaly a 1300 SDL. Frank made it into a GT look-a-like years ago before Tony had it.

I thought it was decided she was Midnight blue! But what I was saying was GTspec said GT means 2 door and she is a saloon.

Youre getting me all confused again now!