The Morris Marina is a small family car that was manufactured by the Austin-Morris division of British Leyland (BL) from 1971 until 1980. It replaced both the Morris Minor and the Morris Oxford in the Morris product line, and it was also sold in some markets as the Austin Marina, the Leyland Marina and the Morris 1700.
Austin Marina (Morris Marina) at a glance
| Produced | 1971–1980 |
|---|---|
| Built | 1.2 million |
| Layout | front-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Body styles | saloon, estate, coupé, pickup and van |
| Other names | Austin Marina, Leyland Marina, Morris 1700 |
| Code name | ADO28 |
| Launched | April 1971 |
| Replaced by | the Ital in 1980, fully by the Austin Montego in 1984 |
This page is based on English Wikipedia only (a trusted source), so the facts were not cross-checked against a second source.
History of the Austin Marina (Morris Marina)
The Marina was developed under the codename ADO28. The impetus came when the truck and bus builder Leyland Motors merged with British Motor Holdings in 1968 to form British Leyland. The new BL management, made largely from ex-Leyland Motors staff, were shocked to learn that, apart from the Austin Maxi, then entering the final stages of development, and a tentative design for a replacement for the Mini (the 9X), BMH had no new cars under development. BL’s mass-market products consisted of the Morris Minor, dating from 1948, and the Austin Cambridge/Morris Oxford “Farina” series launched in 1959.
BL sold the Marina alongside the 1969 Austin Maxi, which shared the same market segment but used front-wheel drive and a hatchback body, and the 1973 Austin Allegro, which also used front-wheel drive and more adventurous styling.
Reception
The Marina was a popular car in Britain throughout its production life, though it rarely came close to challenging its main rival, the Ford Cortina. It was exported throughout the world, including North America, and assembled in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Malaysia. According to various sources, the Marina ranks among the worst cars ever built. The 1980 replacement, the Ital, was the same car with only mild styling changes, and the Marina line was fully replaced only by the Austin Montego in 1984.
Design and features
- Layout: front engine, rear-wheel drive, unlike its front-wheel-drive stablemates.
- Body styles: saloon, estate, coupé, pickup and van.
- Export: sold worldwide and assembled in several countries.
Austin Marina (Morris Marina) versions
- Morris Marina saloon, coupé, estate (1971–1980).
- Austin Marina, Leyland Marina and Morris 1700: the names used in some markets.
- Pickup and van versions.
More Austin cars are in our Austin collection, for example the Maxi, the Allegro and the Montego that finally replaced it.
Austin Marina (Morris Marina) questions and answers
When was the Morris Marina built?
From 1971 to 1980.
Was there an Austin Marina?
Yes, the Marina was also sold in some markets as the Austin Marina.
How many were made?
1.2 million.
What replaced the Marina?
The Ital in 1980, and the Austin Montego in 1984.
What was its main rival?
The Ford Cortina.
Sources
- Morris Marina, English Wikipedia: development and reception
