1973 Morris Marina Coupe 1.3 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Bargain priced budget car

Faults:

Head gasket blew at 57,000 miles.

Heater packed up at 60,000 miles.

Interior trim was very breakable.

Tailgate catch broke at 61,000 miles.

Tyres wore very quickly.

General Comments:

Great value for money at £280. Did most things well, but was in no way outstanding. After one year sold it to a dealer for £130. The Marina more than halved in value in the space of 12 months, but I didn't worry too much about that because it was worth next to nothing in the first place!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 15th April, 2006

1973 Morris Marina L 1.3 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

It was a laugh really

Faults:

Clutch replaced

One trunnion replaced

A few other bits & pieces, but not much considering.

General Comments:

You have to laugh - the handling was awesomely bad. Sideways at 30 on a motorway roundabout and the old girl would sort of nod her nose a bit and shuffle sideways like a boat.

There was a nasty moment when she got a wobble going on a long straight 3-lane dual carriageway due to the slipstream from a bus and started rocking from side to side. Oh how we laughed - later.

Clutch was somewhat abrupt and the gearbox was not exactly difficult, but... different.

Served us well for a few years and was cheaper to run than our Triumph 2000. Loads of space for people & luggage.

If you judge a car simply as transport then this served it's purpose, but you couldn't exactly say it was fun except in a masochistic way.

But hey, it was cheap & reliable transport that never actually broke down on us.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 26th March, 2006

1973 Morris Marina Jubilee 1800 Twin Carb. 1.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

So much better than the critics tried to make out it was

Faults:

Speedomiter stopped working after 74,000 miles.

Gearbox packed up after 83,000 miles.

Bodywork gradually got rustier during the 2 years that I owned the car.

General Comments:

Aside the speedometer and gearbox faults, the Marina proved itself a very reliable car as well as being comfortable and decent to drive. It was a great car, especially when you hear all the critics going on about what a dreadful car the Morris Marina was.

It was good value for a seven year old car, costing just £450 in 1980. I kept it for two years before my brother paid £300 for it. He kept it for three years until it was stolen from a pub car park and never recovered.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 27th February, 2006

14th Aug 2006, 06:39

Hi, great to here someone else owned a Morris Marina TC Jubilee!

Can you remember the number plate of this car?

If you can please e-mail to tekpav@hotmail.com.

I am compiling a list and I have about 6 so far!

Thanks,

Paul.

5th Sep 2006, 05:11

I love Marinas!!!

My dad had a metallic brown TC saloon (with the black vinyl roof & webasto *drool*) when I was a boy & it was love at first sight for me. It was scrapped ultimately after a couple of shunts (crumpled like paper, as I recall).

What was different about the "jubilee" model? this is a new name to me & I'd love to find out more.

Incidentally my dad's marina was KCN390P a plate I know i'll never forget... put it this way I'm remembering it instantly and vividly, 30 years on. I was no more than 6 years old when dad had the car...

CU.

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1973 Morris Marina Super Deluxe 1.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A fast and smart car

Faults:

It would not start on cold mornings and would need a jump start.

Often leaked oil.

General Comments:

A very good car with lots of character.

The car is also quite quick.

Good looking and a very nice car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th February, 2002