The Marlin Berlinetta was the closed companion to the Marlin Roadster. Introduced in 1983 and built on Ford Cortina parts, it was meant for owners who wanted room for children and a partner rather than an open two-seater, and it was sold alongside the Roadster until both went to Yorkshire Kit Cars in 1992.
Marlin Berlinetta at a glance
| Maker | Marlin Engineering, Plymouth |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1983 |
| Layout | 2+2 coupé, two doors |
| Donor car, 1983 | Ford Cortina Mk III or Mk IV |
| Donor car, later | Ford Sierra |
| Comfort | wind-up windows, lockable boot |
| Roof | hardtop option |
| Character | a touring car rather than a sports car |
| Sales | lower than the Roadster’s |
| Production | sold with the Roadster to Yorkshire Kit Cars in 1992 |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on Marlin Sportscars, which describes the Berlinetta in a short section. There is no separate article on the model.
History of the Marlin Berlinetta
Room for a family
The Berlinetta was launched in 1983 using Ford Cortina Mk III or Mk IV parts. Some Roadster buyers wanted more room for their children and partners, so 1983 saw the introduction of the Ford Cortina-based, later Sierra-based Berlinettas as a 2+2 coupé. Where the Roadster was an open two-seater with a simple body, the new car had a proper roof, a pair of small rear seats and a boot.
A tourer, not a sports car
The Berlinetta came complete with new features such as wind-up windows, a lockable boot and a hardtop option. It was a touring car rather than a sports car, and its sales were lower than the Roadster’s, mainly because the market for such a car was more limited: most Marlin customers came for the open car.
Sold on with the Roadster
The Berlinetta stayed in the Marlin line-up until it was sold, along with the Roadster, to Yorkshire Kit Cars in 1992. YKC kept both in production until its owner retired in 2006 and sold them on to Aquila Sports Cars Ltd, so the 1983 shape outlived the company that created it by more than a decade.
Design and features
- 2+2 layout: two small rear seats for children, the reason the model existed at all.
- Ford running gear: Cortina Mk III and Mk IV parts at first, Sierra components later.
- Closed body: wind-up windows and a lockable boot, practical where the Roadster was not.
- Hardtop option: a fixed roof available alongside the open version.
- Touring character: set up as a tourer rather than a sports car, with comfort taking priority over speed.
Marlin Berlinetta versions
- Cortina-based cars (from 1983): Mk III or Mk IV parts.
- Sierra-based cars (later): the same body on the later Ford.
- Hardtop cars: the fixed roof option that made it a closed coupé.
The Berlinetta was the closed version of the Roadster, and the later Sportster took the open line to its end. More Marlin cars are in the Marlin collection.
Video: Marlin Berlinetta 2.0 cabrio
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Marlin Sportscars, English Wikipedia: launch, donor cars, equipment, sales
