Yes Hans, the 1300 would have somewhat short legs for the motorways you
refer to but the 1800 in proper tune should have no problem.
Fred Pixley
Napanee, Ontario
<<<<
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1998 14:55:13 +0100
From: Hans Duinhoven <H.Duinhoven@simac.nl>
Subject: RE: In Defense of the Austin Marina
Hi,
In fact was not an Austin but a Morris.
My father had a 1300 1975 coupe jubilee type.
Rusted terribly and I got sick when sitting on the backseat.
Nice car to drive in town - not for the more motorway users though, poor
road behaviour....
Cheers,
Hans
'71 GT
>>>>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Fred Pixley [SMTP:fpixley@kingston.net]
> Sent: Thursday, November 19, 1998 14:45
> To: mgs-digest list
> Subject: In Defense of the Austin Marina
>
> 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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