Faults:

Lower link in front suspension went on nearside

Clutch slave cylinder fault

Propeller shaft center bearing rubber mounting split

Overheating problem due to sticky thermostat

One track rod end needed replaced

Had a problem with main earth, which caused earthing through the speedometer cable!

Some trouble starting due to faulty condenser.

General engine wear due to poor maintenance.

A certain amount of rust.

General Comments:

Considering the car had done a high mileage when it was bought and had never been serviced properly in it's life, my Marina was an exceptionally good and reliable car.

The car was about 13 years old when I acquired it and it was still going despite poor maintain by it's previous owners.

The British Motor corporation designed many things which have been copied by other manufacturers in later years, for example the stroboscopic timing system used in many modern cars.

The only thing wrong with BL was that strikes interrupted the production of cars and many cars were deliberately sabotaged by those who built them.

Why are we so down on British workmanship, we taught the world how to make things and we won the second world war largely due to the talents of British people.

Anyhow, back to Marinas-An overdrive, improved front suspension, rear springs from the van & some extra soundproofing would have made a blooming brilliant motor! But then what are we comparing the humble Marina with? The cars of this millennium?

Oh and incidentally my 1.8 super still did 95 mph when it was running on 3 cylinders!

Faults:

Rust

Burned as much oil as petrol

More rust

Fuse-box fire

More rust

Left oil puddles after 20 minutes standing

More rust.

General Comments:

A dire car from an era which marked the beginning of the end of the British car industry.

Bodywork rotted to nothing, engine burned and leaked oil like an old boiler and a wire fell out of the back of the fuse-box and caused a moderate electrical fire which filled the inside of the car up with thick acrid smoke. Unfortunately it went out by itself.

Yes it was an old, cheap first car, but friends who wisely bought old Escorts and Vauxhalls never had anything like the same grief with their cars.

A shameful relic which should be buried forever.