No, the Marina was not a bad car. It was never better than average, though – even when it was new. It did look good at launch, but it remained in production far too long.
It was only fully replaced by the Austin Maestro in 1983. British Leyland sold the Marina alongside the 1969 Austin Maxi, which shared the same market segment but used front-wheel-drive and had a hatchback body, and the 1973 Austin Allegro, which used front-wheel-drive and more adventurous styling.
What year was the Morris Marina launched?
The total cost of developing the Morris Marina was put at £21 million and, even though the car underwent a troubled gestation, starting out as an Escort rival but turning into a Cortina rival, the company was very confident of the Marina’s chances of success when it was launched at Cannes in April 1971.
The original 1928 Morris Minor had itself introduced a number of innovative features and had been the first four-wheeled car to sell for £100. The new Morris Minor was launched at the British Motor Show at Earls Court in London on 27 October 1948.
Was the Morris Marina a good car? – Related Questions
Are Morris cars still made?
They continued to be used by BL’s Austin Rover Group and its successor the Rover Group, which was eventually bought by BMW, and then by a management consortium, leading to the creation of MG Rover. None of the former Morris buildings now exist.
How much are Morris Minors worth?
The very best 1098cc Travellers are fetching £19,600 these days, while usable projects can be had from £5100. A Minor 1000 948 saloon is good value and easy to source, with values ranging from £2900 to £9100, while Series 2 saloons fetch from £2300 to £7700.
When was the first Morris car made?
1910
Morris Motors / Founded
How old is the Morris Minor?
The Morris Minor made its debut way back in 1948, yet there’s no sign of its appeal diminishing. If anything, its popularity grows ever stronger.
How many Morris Minor Millions are left?
Today, about 70 Millions survive. These include the very first car – which, perhaps unsurprisingly, ended up being resprayed bright red. Alas, my ‘historic’ bumper perished along with my Minor in an accident some 20 years ago.
Although relatively few were sold in the U.S. for $675 ($5,400 in today’s dollars), more than 1.3 million Morris Minors were produced from 1948 through 1972. Their primary competition was the VW Bug, Fiat 500, and Citroen 2CV.
How reliable is a Morris Minor?
The Minor is more than worthy of consideration as a first foray into the world of classic car ownership, being relatively reliable, cheap to repair and – above all – utterly charming.
Why was the Morris Minor so popular?
The Minor was certainly a ‘new generation’ of small car. Not very fast (the side-valve Series MM could lust about manage 62 mph), everyone who drove the new Morris quickly discovered that its sure-footedness and light, rack-and-pinion steering (another innovation for a small car) made it a delight to drive.
When was the last Morris Minor made?
Last Morris Minor saloon built returns to Cowley after 50 years. A historically significant Morris Minor has returned to the place where it rolled off the production line on 12 November 1970.
What engine is in a Morris Minor?
The Morris Minor 1000 has a Inline 4, Petrol engine with 1098 cm3 / 67 cu-in capacity.
When did the police use Morris Minors?
A Morris Minor Traveller used for Traffic duty by the Edinburgh City force in the late 1960s. Some early Morris Minor local patrol cars, dating from 1962. They were used in the Stockport area until 1964. A very early Morris Marina patrol car, as seen in a British Leyland press photo.
Front wings tend to rust at the front around the head light and at the rear at the A post/flitch area. Rot at the A post usual means some repair to the inner wing is needed. Also check condition of the inner wing and the bump stop mounting.
Who makes Morris Minor cars?
The Morris Minor is a small 4-seater car with an 850 cc engine manufactured by Morris Motors Limited from 1928 until 1934.
What year did first Morris Minor come out?
The Morris Minor was launched at the British Motor Show of 1948, which opened at Earl’s Court on October 27th. The British Motor Show of 1948 opened on October 27th at Earl’s Court and attracted more than half a million people.
Is a Morris Minor a mini?
The Mini was marketed under BMC’s two main brand names, Austin and Morris, until 1969, when it became a marque in its own right. The Morris version was known to all as “the Mini” or the “Morris Mini-Minor”.