New marina owner

[JamesF]

Evening everybody

I'm new to the world of classic cars although we 're currently working on a 1994 xj jaguar but iv just put a deposit on a 1979 Marina L which I'm hoping has plenty of potential!!

Iv bought it unseen from the other end of the country so not entirely sure what I'm getting

I'm sure I'm going to need plenty of assistance tracking down obsolete parts as the restoration gets under way

Looking forward to hearing what you all think

Is there a way to upload photos on here?

[Marinanut]

Hi James and welcome to the mad, bad world of Marina ownership!

Parts; well, ask and you shall recieve (traded for beer tokens of course!). There is a lot of stuff buried away out there and if someone hasn't got something, they possibly know someone who has or knows someone else who has. This site is a very good resource for, well, anything really. Mechanical bits are mainly BL/MG standard fare, Triumph running gear and reconditioned. Panels are Ebay finds, or Club remanufactures or just handmade. Interior trim.... ahhh, now it gets interesting as to how accurate you need the interior but bits are available and someone does do carpet sets.

As for photos; probably best to load up to Photobucket or something of that ilk and link across. I think there is a tutorial somewhere on here.

Once again, any questions, just ask. The only silly question is one you don't ask!

[JamesF]

Thanks for the quick reply

I'm reasonably well versed in vintage/classic restoration, my day job is repairing and restoring tractors and farm machinary so sourcing parts is a constant job. Having said that iv no facilities to deal with cars so iv a mechanic friend who deals with all that for me. He's sold his welder now iv bought the Marina!!

Where I'm likely to need the help is with the interior etc, paint codes, trim parts etc. I'm wanting to keep it as original as possible. It was an the scruffy looking blue one on eBay if anybody spotted it.

One strange thing about it is the orange lights in the front grille, I suppose somebody fitted orange ones to jazz it up a little!

I'm hoping to get it home and assess it in the next couple of weeks. It's covered in green slime and lichen but it's been sold to me as a solid car so we'll see what happens there

[Marinanut]

The driving lights are Hella and were available new until recently, so there will probably be some lurking NOS somewhere. If it hasn't been done, a halogen conversion to the main lights makes one hell of a difference.

[marinabuoy]

Hi James, welcome to the forum, think one or two people might have been a bit pass-remarkable about your car when it came on eBay... but no offence intended and great to see it / yourself on the forum. Are those lights something to do with requirement across the channel years ago? Good luck with restoration anyhow, does look like car has lots of potential.


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[JamesF]

No offence taken, I haven't seen any comments about the car anyway!

They just don't seem to come up for sale very often. It was only on eBay a couple of days before I decided I was having it.

It's reportedly solid, I'm just hoping it's not too corroded where it really matters.

Interior is supposed to be tidy but in need of a good clean. May need some door cards I think

[marinabuoy]

Good decision I think, bum barnacles notwithstanding! Looks like it could clean up well. There's a thread - 1979 Morris Marina L Saloon on eBay.


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[marina1300coupe]

Hi James

Your Marina may be a different body/colour/engine size/registration series to mine but it is still a 1979 Marina L, so welcome to this elite little group.

I noticed that James Marina had 8 previous owners. Anyone out there who can better this figure?

Ian

[JamesF]

Thanks for your reply Ian

I know absolutely nothing about my marina at the moment until it arrives!

Am I right in thinking it's a MK3 marina fitted with a E series engine? This is a new venture for me!

Iv had a good trawl through eBay and there seems to be lots of NOS parts available at sensible money. Plus iv all the contacts for machining cranks, boring blocks, skimming heads etc so as long as it isn't completely shot underneath it should be another one rescued even if it needs a full engine/gearbox refurb.

One thing I had considered doing was converting to electronic ignition, what are peoples' thoughts on this?

[MarinaCoupe]

Definitely fit electronic ignition if using regularly. Points help retain originality, but you will need to keep them adjusted regularly.


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[JamesF]

I fully intend to run it once it's been resurrected!

[MARINAMADBAZ]

your marina has an O series engine in
1700 in marina mk3's
1700 and 2000 in ital's
1700 marina O series engine differ slightly to ital 1700 engines
marina 1700 have an oil filler cap on the top of rocker instead of a tube on the ital,thermostat housing's differ with marina having a sigle outlet,ital's having 2 ,heads differ with the heater outlet on the side of head on a marina and the metal heater pipes differ
thermostat housings are like rocking horse poo so be careful when changing thermostat.
most other bits are the same for marina or ital,like waterpump,fuel pump,dizzy starter alternator etc
best regards
barry

[JamesF]

Thanks Barry, that clears a few things up for me!

Although I don't touch my cars myself I am a mechanic and I'm looking forward to getting into this job. Can't wait to get it home and do something positive with it, it looks like it needs it!

I can't believe how many marinas were built and how few are left .

I have a customers bedford HA van parked in my garage and it's the same story there, thousands produced but few left.

According to howmamyleft.com there are only 24 marina L's left. I know it can be a little inaccurate but they must be fairly rare cars.

If my mechanics are still friends after this project in got a feeling it won't stop here. I also like the allegro and princess

[MGBV8]

It's a good forum.
I haven't had a marina for a couple of years but I still hang around as it's full of good people and I still hope to take on a GT one day...

If you need something and mention it on here someone will help you. Or, within 24 hours the item will mysteriously list on ebay. At least that's been the case in my experience...

Good luck with it.

Jon.

[Kilroy]

Note that apart from the early 1800cc models, the Austin Princess has an O series engine like the Mk3 Marina/Ital.

Water pumps, cambelt etc etc are the same, although the thermostat housing faces in a different direction.

1700 Marinas can be converted to 2 litre by fitting Princess 2 litre crankshaft and pistons.

In case you wondered..