Welcome to the Morris Marina Owners Club and Morris Ital Register Since 1985 the MMOC & IR has supported owners of the Morris Marina, Ital and all of its derivatives. From its humble beginnings in the letters pages of Practical Classics the club is now into its 30th year. Frank Phillips and Clive Higgins founded the Morris Marina Owners Club, incorporating the Morris Ital Register, in 1985 with the intention of recognising the place of the Marina and Ital in all of its derivatives in motoring history. The club currently has well over 300 members across the globe who enjoy the benefits of membership. Whether you wish to be an active member, want to join for access to spares or just for the reassurance that help is at the end of a phone; by joining you are ensuring the survival of this popular and successful model.

An introduction The Morris Marina entered the British motoring scene in April 1971, the aim being to offer inexpensive and practical motoring for both fleet managers and family motorists. The Mk1 Marina 1971-1975 At launch there was the option of 1.3-litre or 1.8-litre (single or twin-carb) engines wrapped in either two-door Coupe or four-door Saloon body shells; trim levels ranged from De Luxe (DL), Super De Luxe (SDL) to TC (twin carb). In September 1972 Vans and Estates joined the line-up with 1.1 or 1.3 litre engine for the vans and 1.8 engines in the Estates and by May 1973 special edition fever was setting in with the production of 2000 Saloon-based 1.8 litre Jubilee models, with tinted glass, laminated windscreen, opening quarter-lights, coach line, vinyl roof, cloth seats and a pair of auxiliary lamps. Five months later most of this was added to the TC's spec sheet as standard. Some early 1.3 cars and all early commercials were supplied with drum front brakes and no servo; disc brakes and servo assistance could be fitted as optional extras. If properly maintained, the drum brake setup is adequate for a 1.3 car. Very early 1.3s and 1.8s had the same suspension setup that the motoring press complained about at the time the car was launched. Whilst no records exist for the changeover point to the improved front suspension geometry, it is generally recognised that the changeover point occurred during late 1971. The Mk2 Marina 1976-1978 In October 1975 the Marina 2 arrived, with disc brakes at the front on all versions and modified suspension, including anti-roll bars all round on the Saloons, Coupes and Estates. Styling changes included fatter bumpers and a revised grille centre, while Coupe and Saloon versions of the TC became the GT and HL respectively. In April 1978, 2050 examples of the LE Coupe were built, featuring a sunroof, vinyl roof, special interior trim and metallic paint with decals. The Mk3 Marina 1978-1979 Five months later in September 1978 a revamped Marina debuted (Mk3), featuring styling changes front and rear to the bumpers and rear lights. From here on Coupes were only available with 1.3-litre engines. The 1.8 B series engine was dropped in favor of the new 1.7 O series engine, which was pretty much as powerful and a lot smoother to drive. The sporty twin-carb versions were dropped along with the B series engines, with the 1.7 relying on a single 1 3/4" HIF SU carb. The Morris Ital 1980-1984 In July 1980 the Marina was replaced by the the Morris Ital, it was a Marina featuring revised styling and a slightly more pokey A-series engine (called the A-plus). The Coupe body shape was dropped. In 1982 the lever arm dampers were replaced by telescopic front shock absorbers. International Success For a Brand Australian & South African Marina fans also had the choice of a locally made E series 1750 4 cylinder and 2623cc six-cylinder models, with three-speed auto or manual 'boxes and 111 bhp. If this sounds too racy in Europe you could track down one of the 3870 diesel Marinas, with 1489cc and all of 38bhp! These were manufactured in the UK and in Malta for a while, exported as knock down kits and built up on the island. Cars were exported from the UK around the world including USA, Canada, New Zealand, and throughout Europe. Many of the sales in the Nordic countries coming off the back of local success in rallying.