Morris Marina 1.3 HL (1971-80) Engine 1275cc S4 OHV Production (1.3) 515,888:: (1.8) 293724
Registration Number HPN 50 V (Brighton)
MORRIS ALBUM
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Developed under British Leyland ownership, in an urgent need for a new model. The Austin Maxi was in its final development but there were no new models scheduled thereafter, and the then current range consisted of the ageing Morris Minor and the Farina range of models. The car was designed by Roy Haynes, under the code name ADO28, the same man who designed the Ford Cortina Mark II (launched in 1966), with which it shares some stylistic similarities. Lacking the budget to develop two cars to compete directly with the Escort and the Cortina, the makers sized the ADO28 between the two benchmark Ford models. Haynes' original idea was to produce the car in coupé and saloon versions with the coupé pitched as a premium, sporting version like the Ford Capri was to the Cortina.
To try to introduce some clear distinctions between its multiple brands BL decided to release conservative, traditionally engineered cars under the Morris name, and sell more adventurous cars as Austins, or even as new marques – such as the Austin Allegro and Princess, the former of which occupied the same small family car segment as the Marina would. Specifically this meant that Austins use the ground breaking transverse-engine front-wheel-drive layout developed by Alec Issigonis. It was thus decided that the ADO28 would be badged as a Morris. The Marina would use a conventional rear-wheel drive, live rear axle drive-train as found on other popular mass-market cars such as the Ford Escort and Vauxhall Viva.
The new car was launched on the domestic market on 27 April 1971, with production based in Cowley, as either a 2 door Coupe or 4 door Saloon and 5 door Estate in both 1.3 (1275cc) and 1.8 (1798cc). Aimed squarely at the Ford Cortina with a separate 1.8TC/GT/HL/Special model as the range topper, a 1489cc S4 Diesel was added to the range in 1977. There were changes, however, albeit small ones. A facelift in 1975 gave the Marina new radiator grilles, dashboard, seats, suspension modifications and increased soundproofing. In May 1977, Marinas started to appear at dealers equipped with Allegro style seats: apart from rationalising the procuring and production processes, this was said to make the Marina seating more comfortable and supportive
The Marina was re-engineered for the final two years (1978-80) with the Diesel and the new O Series 1695cc now the only engine options, the Marina continued until 1980 when replaced by the being replaced by the restyled Morris Ital
Diolch am 87,169,776 o olygfeydd anhygoel, mae pob un yn 90cael ei werthfawrogi'n fawr.
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Shot 05.09.2021 at Himley Hall, Himley, Wolverhampton Ref. 121-146
