1971, Cars: Morris Marina

On 27 April 1971 the Austin Morris division of British Leyland launched the new Morris Marina, codename ADO 28. The new car, designed by Roy Haynes, was a replacement for the Morris Minor and Morris Oxford and a competitor for the Ford Cortina Mk III, Ford Escort Mk I, Vauxhall Viva HC and Hillman Avenger.

Predecessor: Morris Minor 1000

Predecessor: Morris Oxford Series VI

At launch the Morris Marina was available as 4-door saloon and 2-door coupé with a 1275cc L4 A-Series engine (MG Midget, 60 bhp) or a 1798cc L4 B-Series engine (MG B, 83 bhp, 94 bhp (TC)). In 1972 the range was extended with a 5-door estate with the 1798cc L4 B-Series engine.

Morris Marina 1.3 Saloon (1971)

Morris Marina 1.3 Coupé (1971)

Morris Marina 1.8 Saloon (1971)

Morris Marina 1.8 Coupé (1971)

Morris Marina 1.8 TC Saloon (1971)

Morris Marina 1.8 TC Coupé (1971)

Morris Marina 1.8 Estate (1972)

In 1976 the car was face lifted as the Morris Marina II. In 1977 a 1489 cc L4 diesel engine became available.

Morris Marina 2 Special Saloon (1976)

Morris Marina 2 GT Coupé (1976)

The last face lift was in 1978 with a changed grille, including driving lights, a front spoiler and redesigned bumpers and rear lights and the L4 1695 cc O-series engine. In 1980 the Morris Marina was replaced by the Morris Ital.

Morris Marina Mk III 1300 HL (1978)

Trivia

• In the USA the car was sold as the Austin Marina from 1973 to 1975 as a two-door coupé and a four-door saloon.
• In Canada the car was sold as the Austin Marina as two-door coupé and four-door saloon from 1972 to 1978.
• In Australia the car was introduced in April 1972 as the Morris Marina and in 1973 it was sold under the Leyland Marina name. Additionally it was also offered from November 1973 with a 121 hp (90 kW) 2600 cc E-series six-cylinder engine.
• The Marina was also produced as a pick-up in New Zealand.

Successor: Morris Ital (1980)

Brochures

Morris Marina, English (1971)

Morris Marina II, English (1976)

Morris Marina 1971 advert

Morris Marina Rally Testing  1971 advert

Morris Marina Mk III 1978 advert with Robin Nedwell and Geoffrey Davies