Fast Marina Magazine

I have heard some rumblings on this forum from a few who were a bit disenchanted with Marina ownership. Much was to do with circumstance, weather, income etc. The things that face us all.
One year ago, I had to move to my current address which is only half a block from the sea. Not a choice I would have made - but various earthquakes removed the element of choice.
Taking stock of all my cars this week, I was rather horrified to note just how much they have deteriorated since that move. The sea air has transformed any exposed surface into rust or corrosion. Because there are so many cars, I am simply unable to keep washing them all on a frequent basis.
I was so discouraged by all the bad bits, I turned my mind to the idea of selling them all before they were too far gone as to be worthless on the local market.
Perhaps I should just use a modern every day instead of Marinas - and free myself of the responsibility of being their caretaker. I do find it stressful that I am not able to turn them into the fabulous examples I see taking shape in the workshops of the members of this forum.
I do have a more modern vehicle...




The problem is, I really enjoy every occasion on which I drive a Marina. I cannot think of a single car that would please me as much to drive - or that would be such a statement of being unique - and different from the rest.
There is another problem.
I enjoy the thrill of going fast. A car is simply an extension of my ability to run - so I like to experience that sensation.
The Volvo makes 160Kph seem like child's play. So where is the thrill.?
I would need to do 240Kph to get a thrill in that - so I would lose my licence 10 times over in order to experience what I do in a Marina at 120Kph.
It is just not the same - and I do not wish to be another faceless entity in a gray multivalve thing with parking sensors.
So this morning - after much soul-searching and number-crunching, I walk out the door and see this...





.. and the answer comes.
I guess I will have to learn how to fix rust and corrosion - and from a distance - they still look fine - and who cares if they are not concours - I love them and they suit me, and I will quit a few if necessary to take the heat off my budget - so I can keep the remainder in the best condition I can afford.

Just wanted to share that.

Enjoy your cars mates - they really set you apart from the rest.!

Like your attitude Kilroy
And I think if you did sell them you'd regret it.
I'm really annoyed with mine at the moment. It's like one step forward, three steps back! But that's how it goes.
Keep smiling

Likewise. I spent the whole of my summer trying to make mine do what I wanted. Time and money ran out so I had to stand back in defeat. I then decided to clean said car and see how I felt..
It may not go into D, go in R and accelerate fast, but it's just another challenge to over come for next year.

Good on you mate. Learn how to do the body bits, if you are as good at that as you are at mechanics, you will do a cracking job.

Ben


www.fastmarinamagazine.com - Check out my V8 conversion in Readers Projects.

I have adopted the same attitude as you Kilroy. At the start of the year I decided to resurrect my 1.3 saloon after an almost 4 year lie down. I made my decision for a few reasons, these being 1) the cost of living is rising ever so fast, 2) Insurance, Tax and MOT on 2 modern cars were becoming more expensive, 3) there's no fun in driving a modern eurobox and finally, 4) it wasn't fair having the Marina parked up and rotting away!

I bought a mini 1000 last summer and was mostly using it from day 1. I was going to lay it up over the winter until the 406 broke a spring so the mini was used throughout the whole winter and it never missed a beat so at the start of the year I made the decision to just run classics as my modern cars. The 406 was repaired then within a few weeks it's tax and mot ran out and this time I wasn't going to renew it. The 406 sat in reserve while I worked on the Marina.

My saloon will never be a show car as its just a daily driver but its well undersealed and serviced so I'm very confident that it will stand the test of daily motoring if I keep on top of it. I still have a few jobs to do to it to make it more comfortable for modern use but these are things I can do as and when I can afford it

Killroy
I totally understand Driving my Maxi Everyday , and fixing it every other totally drained me (hence its apperance on Trade me today!).
But now I've nearly finished my 1800 Tc (its legal at last tho!!!) I love driving it, I've always loved the Mk1 Marina and cant get enough of sitting in the white interior, I mean theres no way i could drive that to work everyday it would be black in a week!
I'm slowly getting my van back together, and slowly restoring the coupe, and some days I just get totally fed up spending money on things I cant even drive, but the feeling I get when they hit the road Is amazing,.
My 1800Tc was going to be broken up as a guy wanted the motor and someone else wanted the doors, and they were going to pay more than me for it in bits, the seller really wanted to see it back on the road tho and in a couple of weeks I'm going to drive down to Cambridge in it and take him for a drive, and Man that is gonna feel great

Reading about you and your Mk3's not only gives me the technical bits and pieces I need to restore my Mk1 (and maybe even make it go round a corner or two) But it also gives me a fair bit of hope that multiple Marina ownership is indeed possible and enjoyable
And of course I can point out your photo's to my missis in the hope I can convince her that "lots" of people have more than 3 Marina's in Nz

Thanks all - and glad to know that my post struck a chord somewhere.

I am most sincere about my preference for driving Marinas - and I will admit that the Mk3 version seems to be quite a lot more civilised than 1's and 2's - so I take my hat off to those of you who still use those earlier models regularly. There is no problem about the engine performance of any - simply the handling, braking and passenger comfort.
I think that with the 7" rims I use, my cars still "look the part", and I get a lot of attention from the boy-racer brigade.
I suspect that they are a bit surprised to see an "old geezer" driving them. They are even more surprised when I shut them down at the traffic lights - so honour preserved I think...
Although they lack top speed, my 2 litre cars are pretty damn quick off the mark, and that is gratifying.
They also corner very well - and considering the state of the roads here post-quakes, they handle the average road situations much better than many of the overly lowered boy racer mobiles - so I can usually show them my extremely perished rear window rubber...

Age related problems notwithstanding, I feel that the Marina is an extremely easy car to live with, and there is nothing in the way of mechanical issues that I cannot resolve myself. They give tremendous mileage once up-to-scratch, and as previously stated, offer me a unique status as far as 'rare' cars to be driving goes.

I have now been using Morris Marinas every single day for 19 years. Some days I get to drive up to 5 different ones. I feel pretty bloody good about that.!
For as long as they are able - I shall continue to drive them to the limit of their performance - and when they break - I will make them even better next time.!

I enjoy comparing notes with you lot, and look forward to meeting you along the way.

Go well.
Kilroy

Been down that road with my hot rods and stuff (Haven't had the Marina long enough! ) but I find just stepping back and leaving the car for a few days gives a better perspective.

And Kilroy? - using a wash'n'wax type car shampoo helps keep the cars shiney and keep the gremlins at bay..

Not only that Killroy, if it wasn't for us who else would people turn to for Mk1 and Mk3 parts?
Is the green one a new one?
There's been loads for sale down your way recently, and I could do with an estate so i might see you one day for a pint
p.s Perished window rubbers, you want to see mine

Nothing makes a better everyday car than a Marina.

I kind of miss driving my old Marina (JWC), it was so tatty I could take it anywhere, park it anywhere and it would be ok, but with my new Marina I'm afraid to leave it anywhere or take it out in the rain. I have now started looking at more modern cars to use everyday (I was thinking a Volvo or something) but I just know when I can afford to run two cars I will just end up with another Marina. Preferably a MK3 estate as that would probably be the most practical to run daily. Saying that though I'd be quite happy running round in a MK1 1.3 daily.

Not every car has to be a show car, I'd love to make 'Ducky' into a show car, and I probably will eventually but any everyday Marina for me would have to be a bit tatty.

Don't be afraid to take it out in the rain Josh.
They have made it this far and with all that under sealing you have done it will last another 40 years

Is the green one a new one?

No mate - it is one I repair for someone else.

That is why it is normal ride height and has skinny wheels..

At least with all my cars sitting outside all the time - it doesn't matter when I use them. But I do find the obvious deterioration causes me grief. It is only little stuff for now, but it still requires a lot of work to repair.

Smaller fleet = less stress.

Hi Kilroy
Couldn't really see it, looks nice though, Hmm normal ride height and skinny wheels, sounds like mine
Have you had much experience with rear spring rates? I'm thinking about stiffening up mine a bit with some van ones?
I hate to say it but leaving them outside all the time does cause a fair bit of deterioration its why I had to invest in a lock up and a carport, i just couldn't keep on top of my fleet otherwise
Have you tried one of those warehouse free standing canopies? they are actually quite good

Josh I completely understand, i hate leaving the T.c anywhere too, so I bought a 90 Sierra estate for a daily!
I want a Mk3 Estate too but they are a bit thin on the ground over here!

I think I may have to hunt out another tax exempt 1.3 for a daily, really love driving mine.

That way once I have another car to use I can get Ducky the professional respray she deserves If I get caught out in the rain, then fine but if it's chucking it down and I have a choice of cars she won't be coming out. She's never been welded and I want to keep her that way Plus I can't be ar**d with draining all the water out again At least with rubber flooring water sits on top rather than soaks through.

Besides I still haven't finished my rustproofing, I can't stop driving the bloody thing! (in dry sunny weather )

Re the spring rates.

I have 3 types here. Original Mk3 2-leaf, original Mk3 estate 4-leaf, and thicker section Mk3 van 4-leaf.
I have one saloon with estate 4-leaf rear and the stronger 21mm torsion bars, but I have never fitted van springs to a car.

My observations of the performance suggests that the car feels 'oversprung' with the heavier options - so van springs would be total overkill.
On the other hand - the right shock absorbers make all the difference in the world.
If your car feels a bit soft, I would try fitting van rear shocks to it. I don't know for sure, but they seem to be heavier damping than car type - although that may just be down to the units I have being in better condition.

The Mk3 saloon on standard springs with new shocks gives far the best overall ride and handling.
I would have to say that I think the factory got it right..!