Howard's experience described below yields some good and many criticisms of
the Marina. His was a TC setup and these were not offered in America. I
believe the rear axle setup is TR7 and that was unfortunate. Howard's car
was the early offering and improvements were made to the front end by adding
stronger suspension components after 1975.
Although Marina weight and performance approaches MGB status IT WAS NOT A
SPORTS CAR but a sedan and although not perfect it is a very pleasing car to
drive. Its torsion bar suspension and higher centre of gravity do not
compare to an MG. My 1977 4 door automatic 1.8 deluxe is a comfortable car
quite capable of dealing with modern driving situations on an everyday basis
(although it needs a ring job). There are times when a closed body, 4
seater, automatic, with an excellent heater can be an appealing means of
transport. You still know you are driving a British car by the torque,
exhaust note, and the direct steering. I also have a BGT, Mini, and Midget
Mk3 on the road but often it's the Marina we will pick to drive (it's my
wife's favorite). Different cars for different jobs?
Howard Wrote:
<<<<<<<<<
Bill,
LOL...I can relat to your calling all MG's made after 19741/2 as being
Marinas'..But I can not agree with you.
I bought a new Marina TC in England in 1971..It had some sort of
a1800cctwin SU carbed engine.The damn thing ran to 6000rpm in a heart
beat(13in wheels with tractor gearing?).It also topped out at a scary 116
mph.That was at 6300rpm.
My particular TC had a bad habit of sheding axles in tight,power on
turns. The rear axle on the loaded side would just ease out of the rear end
assy and leave me with a track of about 80 in!This happened several times
before I decided to sell the monster.My MG's have never done anything
foolish
like that.
Also,my MG's have a slightly better suspension than the Morris Minor
units fitted to the Marinas. Agreed ,the later MG-B has a slightly elevated
stance,but they still do a fair job of navaiating the twisties. The Marina
TC
was simply a plow at any reasonable cornering speed.I ripped a set of
Dunlops
off of mine in less that 10,000 miles.Each corner was an invatation for
disaster.I eventually settled into a setup routine which amounted to setting
the brakes,downshifting, pouring All of the power to the engine and then
turning the wheel as far as it would go to "plow "the corner into
submission.It was like a carnival ride only there was an element of sheer
terror involved as well.
I was never so glad to get rid of a car in my life..I feel much more
comfortable with my 4 MG-B's than I ever did with my Marina. But I will
always wonder where that funny 1800 got all of its' power from.
Yours, H4(Howard)
>>>>>>>>
Fred Pixley
Napanee, Ontario
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