Morris Marina vs Mk3 Cortina - Ford vs British Leyland 70s Shootout! (1971 1.8 Super/1977 1.6 L)

[@Cortinaman63]

47 years ago I bought a 1974 Mk.3 Ford Cortina (that I still own to this day!) and It was used every day for 25 years, proof it is a superb car to own, it still has its original 1600 OHC engine, and is an Automatic, and has always been kept factory correct, The Marina is also a good car, and lots of owners love them, as much as Cortina Owners love ours, I did drive a Morris ITAL for a few days back in the 1980's and it was also a nice car, but as I have loved the Cortina since it launched in October 1970, for me it will always be my personal favorite, and having lovingly restored to superb Concourse condition with a full panel by panel, extreme restoration and expense, my Mk.3 is looking just like it did on the Ford Production Line back in 1974, and hopefully there is a Marina out there some where just as good, as both cars deserve to be loved.❤

[@nygelmiller5293]

To Cortinaman. Many of us would give our right arm, to have a story like yours! When your car came out, I went (with the firm) , on a factory tour, and saw all the latest Ford cars. The famous Ford factory in Dagenham was still open, and at its peak! All the shiny new car's looked impressive , in bright colours, which had never been brighter, and haven't been brighter, SINCE! Bright red, bright yellow, bright blue, and bright green, for example! Great against the chromework of the time! A great day out, then, to see such cars being made - but a pity, that, unlike yourself, I wasn't,'t actually BUYING one!

[@Cortinaman63]

@@nygelmiller5293 Thank you for replying to my comments on here, and if your interested in seeing my Mk.3's there are videos showing the restoration work on my channel, I loved hearing you visited the Ford Factory and saw the cars being built, that must have been amazing, restoring my first one, was something like that, seeing her becoming brand new again,, and knowing the shell was 100% rust free like when I first bought her, was great, shame you did not get to buy one, but you got to see something many of us would have loved to, all those beautiful cars being built. I remember them brand new on the roads, but you were really lucky getting to see them in Production, WOW!.

[@grahamcole4240]

I had the Pinto engine in my Mk3 GT. An easy engine to maintain. The cambelt snapped and no damaged to the engine at all, fitted a new one on the side of the road and away to go, not like these new engines.

[@ronhenney4546]

In Australia we had the 200 cube and 250 cube engines my sis and bil bought an xle 250 that went like stink it had bags of torque and they towed a 26ft caravan for years with it following seasonal work in Aus i took it for a spin and loved the way it went cheers guys not a fan of leyland cars except for the brick and the moke

[@gingernutpreacher]

My dad had 2 marina' and they were below par it especially early model's it bottomed out with a sack of patatoes and passenger's in the second one roted at the bulk head it rolled more than others was slightly less realiable and it wasn't cheape enough despite call the had me down part's it used the only thing it had going for it was it did noticeably better on fuel

[@chrispenn715]

My father's first new car was a Marina 1.8 SDL when I was about 15. Two years later he replaced it with a new Cortina 1600L. I learnt to drive on the Cortina. At the time, the Marina interior actually seemed more upmarket because you could have a choice of colours - the Cortina was black or black. Build quality seemed about the same, but the Cortina instruments were much nicer and it felt a bit more spacious. Nice to see both cars surviving. Both were decent cars in their day.

[@seansands424]

My first car was marris marina good car

[@frequenttraveller1835]

@@seansands424 My first car too. Had 50k+ virtually trouble-free motoring from it. Very little to compain about.

[@roops2939]

Back in 1975 in the USA my dad bought a Charger. I was given a T-Bird on graduating from college

[@nygelmiller5293]

@@roops2939 Wow! Given a T-bird! I'm happy for you - that really is something to be given! I A) don't live in the States - and B) can't see accurately enough now at 70, to drive. BUT my ideal car otherwise now, would BE a T-Bird! I learnt to drive, when I was 17 - on a n original model BEETLE. No problem! But 10 years ago, one was for sale that I would have LIKED to buy. BUT I must have got gradually B-R-O-A-D-E'R, because when I got inside the Beetle, I could no longer shut the door! A thing called my shoulder was in the way! So my conclusion is that a stylish T-bird would be the answer! No wonder Beetles were popular with STUDENTS! At their age, they were still narrow enough to fit inside! The later two Beetles ARE broader, however!

[@numberstation]

Both are vastly more appealing visually than their modern equivalents.

[@robinforrest7680]

Yes. Neither of them are SUV’s 😂😂

[@miketucker7466]

I bought a Marina last year just for the 1275, but my daughter has decided it’s cool…. TBH she’s right it’s far less dull than any ordinary saloon from the last 25 years!

[@warrendunhilllloyd195]

You Sir, have done Fathering well!

[@MeMe-qr3go]

A very fair and balanced review overall and I was pleasantly surprised by how you didn't slate the Marina like so many have done. My friend had a really old 1.8 super back in the late 80s/Earl 90s and it really was 'done'. The engine was worn out and it was only running on 3 cylinders due to broken piston rings and yet it could still easily out accelerate a mk3 Cavalier. It could have done with a 5th gear or an overdrive but it was still a fun car. I'm not convinced that Marinas had a smaller boot than cortinas as this one had a bigger boot than a mk4 cortina. There was also a front suspension conversation that could be done to the Marina that used telescopic shock absorbers from the rear of a Hillman hunter. It was just basically a bracket that stood out from the lever arms at the top and another mounting on the lower arms. You had to drain the oil out of the lever arms and think of it as an upper wishbone. Apparently it was a major improvement. BL did something similar on very late Itals. It would be amazing to drive a pristine Marina like the one you tested. All in all a great video.

[@escapetheratracenow9883]

In July 1985 me and a mate took my 1976 Cortina 2.0 XL automatic on a road trip from leafy Surrey all the way up to Loch Ness via Edinburgh. We returned home via Fort William, Glen Coe, Loch Lomond, the Lake District, Blackpool and home in time for Live Aid on the telly. 1600 miles in a glorious week of discovery for an 18-year old. The car performed perfectly using a pint of water and a drop of oil. It joined the ton-up club effortlessly on the A69 near Hexham and took off over a hump-backed bridge in Wear Dale Co. Durham and took it all in its stride. Loved that car and that week away. The good old days of leaded petrol, affordable insurance, cars with character and social mobility.😊

[@shand1967]

My dad back in the mid seventies had a 1971 Peugeot 504 which was light years ahead of these two.

[@nigellamaccini6091]

My father had a MK3 Cortina 2000e - in 1976 or thereabouts. Each "rank" in his company who were eligible for a company car started with a Cortina 1.3 base, them L then XL and the final rank was a Cortina 2000 GXL (later E). Higher management always had Granadas which followed the same badge ranking. The only exception was the Chairman who was allocated a Daimler. Ford really understood the psyche of the times :-) The 2000 E was and is very cool!

[@Santor-]

And the secret 1.1L model for the demoted ones?

[@tjm3900]

@@Santor- was there actually a 1.1 ? I thought that was just the Escort ?

[@Santor-]

@@tjm3900 Not all countries had the 1.1, Denmark (where it's very flat) I believe was one of them. It didn't have a call out on the trunk like normal, rather it had a badge delete. Or maybe it was 1.3, for the 76-82 cortina/taunus. Either way it was an economy offering not advertised as far as I understood it. Sort of a secret "miser" model. I wasn't of car buying age back then, so don't know first hand, only read about it somewhere during the years. In my mind, I remember thinking about it as "woah, the Fiesta engine in a Taunus", which would indicate they were talking about the 1.1

[@Martindyna]

I used to work for an American engineering company here in the UK. They used to allow people to pay extra to get higher grade cars but this policy was soon dropped when `juniors' were to be seen with high spec. models which upset people.

[@RVPartsGerald]

Having driven both in that era I will step outside the box a go with the Fiat 131 Mirafiori. It out handled both Cortina and Marina. Great review guys.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Good choice!

[@williamegler8771]

My parents had a 131 wagon... Even with the 1.8L and 5spd performance was pretty bad and the engine was spinning at 4, 000 to 4,500 RPM on US freeways. Air conditioning was pathetic and could only be used in mild weather otherwise the engine would overheat. Started rusting within the first year of ownership and only lasted about 5 years before the rocker panels and floorboards were rusted out.

[@TheHorsebox2]

Had two Mirafioris. Great cars.

[@hermanmunster3358]

@@williamegler8771 Yep, that was Fiat of the ,70's and 80's. Lancia had an arguably worse reputation than Fiat for rust. And Alfa Romeo were always notorious fir electrical gremlins, and idiosyncratic ideas. But many European volume cars had problems, not just the cars from Italy. Even German cars from VW and Audi had their problems with rust, and just about every French car produced, had tin worm during the 70's.

[@Dan_druft]

Yaeh and rusted terribly

[@user-lx6bl2wd8g]

I inherited my father's 1973 1600 L in the same red as yours. Loved it, used to waft along at 70 all day, big and comfortable. Head gasket blew in 86' and I chopped it in for a Fiat Uno 60s. Loved both cars.

[@annabellaandrewkingdon7972]

My dad had a gold 1.8 special 3 door (LE) marina and it had a large webasto roof and jazzy orange and brown seats. It was a like an upgraded TC and actually looked cool. Never seen one since as I believe they only made a few. We had loads of fun going to beach holidays in it with the roof wound back and the Sharp radio on loud. Those were the days!

[@nigden1]

I worked as a sales rep for British Midland Airways from 1978 for 2 years, they gave me a Fiat 127 when I started, a brilliant car to drive with an innovative hatchback. After about 3 months they replaced it with a 1.3 Morris Marina fastback in hearing aid beige, an utter nail of a car that broke down frequently, would not pull a soldier off your sister, and was about as cool as Gary Glitter.

[@Darwinion]

Gary Glitter was very cool in the 70s.

[@nigden1]

@@Darwinion Early 70's yes, I agree, but not by 1978.

[@BillyO]

@@Darwinion His, james Hornes, sister was too !

[@Martindyna]

`would not pull a soldier off your sister' haha. Never heard that expression before.

[@Rayfaedundee]

I own a 1981 Morris Ital 1.3 HL.. (KAM299X) I’ve owned the car from 2011 at that time it had 385 miles from new. At present time (Nov 2022) it has 925 miles .. I’ve heard all the stories and jokes about Morris Marina and Ital cars, but I don’t listen to them. Haters will always hate any BL car especially the Marina or Ital and the usual is, oh watch out for any falling pianos. In all the years I’ve owned my Ital, it’s never let me down…. Unlike most modern day cars that have ECU and computers/sensors/etc,

[@fatbudgiekillen8997]

In Australia,the Marina was sold with 1.5, 1750 cc four cylinders but if you wanted extra thrill there was the 2620cc straight six, with extra! understeer. The Cortina came 2.0 l , 3.3 and 4.1l straight six. Much more understeer

[@johang7498]

Here in continental Europe (Belgium) those sentiments surrounding British Leyland were never really an issue, though their cars weren't top sellers too. I grew up in a Ford family and the first car I remember my dad owned was the mk. 3-cortinas German cousin, a by then already quite old dark brown 2-door (not fastback) taunus. As such I too have something of a soft spot for the cortina or any 1970s Ford model for that matter. But that being said: through books and magazines, I got to learn a lot about Leyland cars and can appreciate them very much these days. Maybe it's the love for the underdog, or me not understanding why the British favored an American company that much more than a home-grown manufacturer, but if you were to present to me a marina and a cortina in their nicest possible version (HL/TC vs. GXL/2000 E/GT) in mint condition, I think I'd find it very, very hard to make up my mind. So yeah, that's how much I've come to appreciate BL cars and all those negative comments surrounding them only seemed to have encouraged this appreciation. Funny how that works, no?

[@Bicyclehub]

Loved this video and it is a pleasure to hear your enthusiasm for these two cars. The often overlooked fact about BL is that they had great engineers and designers. For the budget and time constraints that existed at the time they did very well; it was brought to life very quickly as you say. And the B series is a strong, durable engine with decent performance. The body to me looks very similar to a Hillman Avenger. I remember as a kid thinking that the Morris Minor was so incredibly old-fashioned and when the Marina replaced it, it seemed super-modern. It was an early example of platform engineering- the platform being the Minors. It is a mystery why Ford only made the Mk3 for 5 or 6 years, having put so much design effort into it.

[@philking7805]

Saying the TC was faster than an MGB is hardly a badge of honour 😀 and also when the Italians said TC they meant a gorgeously sculpted aluminium twin cam motor, not strapping an extra SU carb to a post-war A40 engine

[@shipoffools2183]

Ford Australia fitted the Cortina with a 250CI straight six! That was the Cortina I fell in love with!

[@shipoffools2183]

I didn’t know that, what motor went in it? I think it was a Chrysler centurion (don’t quote me!) had a 265 Hemi six, hardly any sold but they would have good.

[@philbruhn9862]

@@shipoffools2183 Centura had a 245ci 3 speed man and it went hard.

[@troytempest5501]

Don't forget the perana cortina,which like the perana capri had a 302ci v8. Awesome!!

[@saxongreen78]

Marina also got an E Series 6 in the same market.

[@PaulA-bv1rt]

The Corty Down Under also came with a 200 and 250 ci inline 6.

[@sean640307]

but remember, we were also daft enough to try to put a straight six into the Marina as well, both in the 4 door and the 2 door. (Oh, and we even did that to the Holden Torana, but in that case, it worked pretty well!!!!) The Cortina and the Marina both went well in a straight line, but stopping and corners were both challenges that meant that brown cordouroy pants were the right attire!!! :)

[@markrogers6186]

My second car was a mk3 cortina, what a fantastic car,

[@simonprodhan5050]

great video! my dad had a marina (OSO 936L) and my memories of it are very positive, very nice looking car, well done for giving the marina its due credit, most people who slag them probably have never been anywhere near one but its the fashionable opinion so thats that, the mk3 tina is a beautiful car but engineering wise isn't really any better than the marina, both are now fantastic 70's classics and are a reminder of how lovely cars used to be from an aesthetic point of view unlike todays boring lookalikes

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Exactly, Simon - we're firm believers of "don't knock it 'til you've tried it!"

[@williamwoods8022]

Correct I had a Mk2 1978 Marina 1.8 HL/TC in Tahiti Blue and it was an excellent and very reliable and fast car back then and it had the thicker uprated anti-roll bars so even though you still had to watch it a bit in the wet like lots of other RWD drive cars it handled far better than the Mk3 Cortinas and Capris that my mates had and I always left them behind in the twisty country roads around our town that we used to drive around back then - plus I am still here today even though I used to drive that car hard and fast back then and ironically it got written off when as usual in town I was driving to the speed limit and driving through a junction when a woman in a van pulled out without stopping right in front of me and the only reason that I was on that route was one of my workmates had asked my to drop him off at his towns bus stop in my town centre because his Escort or Capri he had at the time's engine or gearbox as usual was knackered. I was keeping that Marina for good as well because it was such a good car and those Mk2 Marina HL's were the best looking Marina's in my opinion - never seen another one in Tahiti Blue and dont think any in Mk2 HLs in that colour have survived either.

[@ricknel76nelson54]

In Australia we had 6cyl variants of both.

[@johnnyfuglestad349]

yes and i have driven the 6 cyl marina- it had awfull handling so i choose the 1,8

[@cuebj]

Seeing the wing mirrors... so much better than just having them on door. You could keep eyes looking forward instead of turning head and changing focus

[@darrenwilson8042]

Marina's were decent cars - in fact the anti-BL press was great as it depressed used prices making them more affordable. I remember helping my then brother-in-law change the gearbox and clutch on a 1300 on his drive in an afternoon. There was a reason why they, and Lada's and FSO's etc sold - they were cheap and that was at a time when we had an economy like we are experiencing now and all of them - even Ford's - liked to rot. Tip for the next few years of depression - Dacia will sell very very well

[@raypurchase801]

My Marina had a habit of destroying starter motors. I mastered the changeover, swapping the old starter motor for its replacement in just 12 minutes. Two spanners required. Plenty of space to slide under the car without a ramp or a jack. My local scrappie could sell me a used starter motor for £12 on an exchange basis.

[@cuebj]

Brilliant point about economy and Dacia. Also the new Chinese electric cars will probably do well, MG! The irony

[@neilearl3874]

I spent 14 years in a Marina, Coupe then a saloon. I learnt to drive in a 1.3 saloon in the 80s, such an easy car to learn in. Country roads in Oxfordshire , so nice to drive,

[@KAZUYADOG]

I passed my driving test in Morris Marina Coupe and i owned a MK3 Ford Cortina 2.0 GT in Daytona Yellow.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Nice! Which did you prefer?

[@IanDarley]

I owned a 2.0GT two door MKIII Cortina in the 80s, I've always thought they were a handsome looking car.

[@ozzie-sk9dh]

My Dad had the Mk 3 L in Sebring orange with black vinyl roof. I learnt to drive in it. Great car.

[@murraylindsay8340]

In NZ I bought a 74 2000E in 78 . Handled well on smooth surfaces. Hit bumps mid-corner when pushing it and it was arse puckering .Hit corragations on a staight road was also exciting.30 mpg when driving sensibly was the norm. Push it real hard (100mph or there about) and I'd see 17mpg.It ate distributor points . At the end of the day it was a great cruiser '

[@philking7805]

Void bushes locating the back axle were the main culprit, made it feel like driving a 60mph forklift 😞

[@roybroughton6615]

My father owned two mk 3 Cortinas, L reg 2000 gxl & N reg 2000 gt ,he was a definite Ford fan ,never drove the GXL( too young ) but I did drive the Gt which I thought was quick but vague on the handling front ,only drove a Marina once on a test drive, 1.8tc very smooth & felt quick, better build quality than the Cortina but both were totally eclipsed by the Mk 1 Cavalier on the handling & build front, 1.9 Gl R reg ,the handling was a revelation for someone who'd only really driven Fords. Great article👍👍

[@neilcooke2357]

My first car was a 1972 1.6 L M3 Cortina ( two door) in 1976, loved it, then a 2.0 E Wish l had them now

[@richardgiles2484]

I had a 1.8tc in the very early 80s and it really good car

[@johnclements6852]

The Cortina for me as a Blue-Oval fan, but I was impressed with the Marina, its panel fit was good, and overall it appears a quality product for what it is, all the various issues surrounding BL notwithstanding. Perhaps it's time for a reappraisal of the BL range of vehicles as they appear to have been pretty good concepts if not always executed as well as they should have been, and maybe the British public should look back in fondness and take pride in what was achieved over the BL years. I suspect that when a BL vehicle is properly restored and sorted out that they're actually quite good vehicles. One can only wonder what vehicles Leyland would have produced had BMC been allowed to go bankrupt as Rover and Triumph were good makes. Well done boys.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Agreed! Don't believe the urban myths on BL cars!

[@markcarter9476]

I learn't to drive in a Mk3 GT (bright yellow + black vinyl roof) so I have a soft spot for the Cortina. Great memories.

[@Sophie-vanTg4u]

My dad had bought over the years all the Cortina's from the mk1 to the mk5. He gave me driving lessons in the mk2 and took my test in it....... happy days

[@robwilliams4773]

Great video. Enjoyed that hugely. The thing is, if you knew little about either car and had to choose one using heart not head it would be the Cortina every time. The Marina may be competent but it is just not inspiring. I was a boy when they came and I don't remember anybody going "wow, a Marina". Not when they could see Cortinas, Escorts, and Capris oozing style in comparison.

[@padrejohnruffle]

Sadly.. you're right!

[@williamwoods8022]

Oh Dear! My 1978 Mk2 Marina HL/TC in Tahiti Blue was an excellent fast and reliable car - far more reliable than the Escorts, Capris and Cortinas that many of my mates drove that went through engines and gearboxes as if they were wear and tear items - this was the reason that I never bought Fords and neither did my workmates who worked for the company I worked for before that because that company used Escorts, Cortinas and one Crapi that went through engines and gearboxes as well - of course because Ford sold their cars cheap to companies and fixed them under warranty all the time our company would not budge and move on to a more reliable manufacturer. Plenty of people went wow to a Marina as they sold loads of them and these Fords back then only made chavs go wow and still do.

[@skippmclovan1135]

Very pretty car the Mk111 Cortina, even today! In May '75 my boss got me as commercial plumbing parts salesman a brand new Mk111 Wagon with the 2.0 OHC engine.. and THAT was One Helluva Car ! It had the most 'snicky' gearchange i've EVER encountered! And it HONKED.. !! Very quick vehicle from a standing start and a great highway car for overtaking semi's. Remember in those days there were NO power-robbing emission devices OR any power-draining ancillaries! ALL the power went to the road! What a SHEER fun vehicle that bright red Wagon was . . :) It was PERFECT for widen-open throttle controlled power slides, and FAST on the twisties! I drove that car hard, all over NZ, until the engine began making piston-slap sounds after 18 months. . perhaps i drove a bit too hard??? Anyway the replacement ('76 LX Cam-In-Head Torana) wasn't within a bull's roar of that Mk111..!..! Later i drove other 2.0 Mk111's, but NONE were as GOOD as the first one! It seemed to have about half as much power again, and can only assume that came from the initial break-in and the HARD driving. No, i wouldn't treat my own car like that, but then i wouldn't get half as much enjoyment out of them either! So, thrashing a car brings out the very best in it, that's all i can say! : ) : )

[@bumfie]

I remember my mum saying that Marnie was coming to stay with us My Dad had the Marina Always enjoyed going on Family holidays + weekend drives . (Marnie ) always got us there . Big boot . It was my dad's first car after passing his test . Back seat was a bit bouncy . He kept it for years then bought an Astra :(

[@robinforrest7680]

My mum finally chose a Marina 1.3 super after test driving several other cars of the time including a 2CV and a manure coloured Allegro with the « square « steering wheel. She was convinced until the day she died that we took a roundabout on two wheels in that 2CV ! Marina’s get a lot of hate, but as far as I remember it never had issues. I learned to drive with it in the early 80’s and it only went after a careless oak tree stepped out into the road in front of me shortly after I passed my test. My uncle had a Cortina mk3 GXL as his company car…

[@originalshadowfax]

Driven both and the 74 MK3 1600L was my first car that I owned, black furry seat covers, slot on head rests, drop over centre console with obligatory gauges that weren't connected up, except for the switch for the stick on rear window demister 😁, I knew every bit of the car, I could tell when the tyre pressures had dropped by even a few pounds, did many miles in it. Learned (with dads help) to change brakes drums, oil, what a distributor was, points etc etc. Sold it and bought a 650 bonneville and then later the marina, which was an 1800TC, quick, but the gearstick was so long, it was like stirring a pudding looking for a gear!! just didn't get on with it at all

[@maxflight777]

Lovely cars, both with their own advantages and character. Beautifully edited content ! Thanks guys 👍

[@alecwilliams5281]

Brought back some memories this of sitting in the back of Dads Cortina 2.0 GLX in the mid 70s , can remember the seats and the dashboard all matched in a striking blue colour lovely looking car, although do recall the plastic seats were a bit tricky in hot summers😂my first car was a MK4 2.0 GL colour camel cream , went well but didn’t have the looks of the MK3 in my humble opinion.

[@grahamgottard]

Marina coupe was a very good looking car. Still looks good today.

[@iangreen180]

My first car was a Marina, but it was a two-door coupe, and looked better than the four door sedans you showed. I put Michelin XZX tyres on it and got extra fuel economy. I could have a saved a lot of money over the years if I had not upgraded to larger cars so quickly.

[@chrisaris8756]

Having lived with both back in the 70s the cortina was streets ahead. OHC engine versus pushrod, proper front suspension instead of those awful trunnions that used to collapse and leave you stranded at traffic lights. The cortina was way better. I had the misfortune to have to drive an 1800 tc Marina, and it was dreadful. Believe me the understeer was terminal. It was years out of date from the start. I’m afraid you have rose tinted specs on. Live with one for a month and see what you think then. The cortina though would still hold its own today.

[@williamwoods8022]

Utter DRIVEL! No rose tinted specs with me and my fellow workmates who NEVER bought Ford after driving Cortinas and Escorts and the one Crapi we had when Ford were on strike as usual and the company could not get a Cortina to replace one that was due to be replaced because they went through engines and gearboxes as if they were wear and tear items. We tried to get the company to change from Ford but they wouldnt because Ford sold their cars dirt cheap to the company car fleets and kept sorting the cars under warranty. The 1978 Mk2 Marina 1.8 HL/TC that I owned NEVER had any problems with the trunnions collapsing and neither did the Mk1 Marina 1.8 Super that my brother owned before that and both of these cars were far more reliable than the Fords that we drove as company cars and the Capris and Escorts that my mates drove back then as well that also went through engines and gearboxes - my Marina actually got written off after one of these workmates asked for a lift to his towns bus stop in my town centre which meant I went a different route going back home and a woman drove out from a junction right in front of me after I had dropped him off - would NOT have happened had I gone home by my usual route and happened because his Escort of Capri that he had at that time was off the road as usual with a knackered engine or gearbox. The Mk2 Marina HL/TC had a much thicker anti-roll bars fitted and were much better than the Mk1's although you still had to watch them a bit in the wet like a lot of RWD drive cars but they were far superior to the Capris and Mk3 Cortinas in the wet as I regularly outran them in the twisty roads around our town and I drove that Marina hard and fast all the time and am still here to tell this tale so not the terminal drivel from the B S spouters such as you. If your trunnions collapsed then you were the usual lazy owner who never looked after your car and then blamed the car or manufacturer. I was never left stranded by my Marina or the 1980 Allegro 1750 TC Equipe that replaced that Marina as both were excellent reliable cars - then again I looked after and serviced my own cars and never used cheap parts in them.

[@paultraynorbsc627]

I had both car's Cortina Better car

[@41708]

The 1.8 TC Marina had bigger valves than an MGB, Only problem I thought was serious was axle tramp with the two leaf rear springs, I replaced them with Corsair springs, you could also fit anti tramp bars. At the front there was a cheap telescopic shock absorber conversion that allowed you to fit decent gas shocks, and avoid the problem of failing lever arm shocks ,that were also the top arm, by removing the valves and putting in EP90 oil instead of the shocker fluid. Then put a piper 60/30-30/60 cam in (2BYS) gas flow the head and inlet manifold with twin 1.75 inch carbs intead of the twin 1.5 inch , none of this expensive, and you get 90 bhp at the rear wheels on a dyno (GRD Rochdale) on which a 3 litre capri shows 95 bhp. So probably 115 bhp at the flywheel, but a Marina 1.8 TC weighs only 18 cwt. It used to be funny watching the faces of lotus cortina drivers when you left them for dead at the lights in London. And the XJ6's that chickened at 115 mph after theyed tried to stick to your tail. (no radars then). I replaced it with a dolly sprint (23 cwt), but it wasn't better. And MK3 Cortinas? was there a fast one?

[@41708]

Well it was a coupé I must add!

[@MeMe-qr3go]

Your Marina sounds like it was a tremendous loaf of fun. I always wanted to shove a V8 in one :)

[@arunta5]

The Ford Cortina Mk3 was sold in Australia as the TC. My first car in 1973 was a TC, XLE (premium model here) with the 6cyl motor lifted from the Ford Falcon. It had four headlights, a vinyl roof and looked the goods. Mine was copper bronze with a parchment roof. They were a good car the problem back then was RUST. It became quite bad that was when I sold it. I did work and park close to Sydney Harbor for virtually the whole time I had it (6 years) maybe that contributed to this issue with my car.

[@phil955i]

Had both back in the mid 80s when I was 17 / 18. A '74 2 door Mk.3 Cortina in orange, it said 1600 on the logbook but was actually a 2 litre 😉 And a '73 Marina 1.3 automatic (😬) in the same colour as the one in the video. Fond memories of both tbh.

[@leetronix]

I remember both these cars and driving around in a purple marina. The cortina was definitely the builders/rep car but the marina was something special had a more fun and homely vibe to it and it was British 😃

[@escapetheratracenow9883]

All my Cortinas were built in Dagenham, Essex, and I loved them all!

[@Tawny6702]

In 1975 I worked for a company that had a lot of sales reps, and they brought the new cars in on transporters, and in that year the replacement for the Cortina’s was the Morris Marina and everyone groaned, about two weeks later they groaned even louder!

[@martinblack5021]

My first car was a marina coupe. Loved it’s looks. Lever dampers leaked regularly so handling went to pot, and the trunnions seized if not greased regularly. Grip was poor too. Oh, and the rust! Compared to mk2 escort it was miles off

[@-DC-]

Quite agree if the Marina had been discontinued in the late 70's it would have been remembered as a perfectly reasonable everyday car, Usual BL BS product planning has ALOT to answer for.

[@darrensmith6999]

Love Marinas! I had several as a kid in the 80s my Dad had one and it went on for years with over 100000 on the clock(:

[@stephenvince9994]

What you missed was the enthusiasm that the Marina had to revert back to Ferric Oxide. Quite unstoppable.

[@williamwoods8022]

Would have to go faster then to catch up with Fords and Vauxhall's in the rusting stakes - every car back then rusted bad but Fords especially weer the worst. At least BL were ahead of Ford and Vauxhall and most other makes when they brought in waxing of their cars with the Allegro etc but cars still rusted back then even after that because of crap steel etc unlike the cars today that are all better for not rusting.

[@crcomments8509]

My Dad had a MK3 Cortina 2.0 GXL, it was fantastic, unfortunately when he changed it a few years later he got an BL Princess, which was truly awful. But when I got my own first car I got a Capri, and my Dad really liked it as he said it was very similar to drive to the MK3 Cortina.

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

I owned a 1975 Austin [USA] Marina and loved it. The car is gone, but I still have the badges - and the memories.

[@ralphtuck8509]

My Dad had both the mark 3 & 4 Cortina (Mark 2000E estate and 2L GT Mark4) later he also had an Ital, which was also a nice car. I learned to drive in the Mark 3, which was great. I will admit the Fords were better car’s however the Ital was also a nice car for the era, and I would agree the BL cars were definitely not as bad as certain car journalists would make them out to be.

[@fugawiaus]

Wow, our mk3 cortinas in australia had a 3.3l six or a 4.1l six from the factory. It’s funny seeing one with 1.6.

[@johnherbert5919]

What about the Vauxhall Victor. I owned one and loved it.

[@smoothmicra]

The Mk 3 Cortina is such a handsome car, dare I say a style icon, which is why I would always have one over a Marina. All cars of that era had issues with build quality, reliability and rust, so it is unfair to call out the Marina for it. For the time a decent motor, just not as sexy as the Cortina.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

No denying the style of the Cortina!

[@seansands424]

The marina was not a bad car

[@bryanmiller2520]

BMC did well in the '60s when buyers went for space efficient small cars, but Ford learned that more affluent 70's buyers preferred style over substance, and wanted a car that looked bigger and more impressive. The Mk 3 Cortina was wider but no longer than the Mk 2, but the swoopy styling made it look much bigger. Ironically, period magazine comparisons showed the Marina had more room in the back seat, and the boot held more luggage.

[@owenmaddocks1506]

I had 3 Marinas in 3 different countries. A 1.8 Coupe in England, A Straight 6 automatic in Australia and a 1,6 saloon in New Zealand.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Nothing that much wrong with the Marina at launch - the TCs were very smart (other than the known understeering issue). Problem was that by ‘74-75 it was hopelessly out of date. The mk4 Cortina and mk1 Cavalier completely outclassed it. It was due for a proper replacement in ‘77-78 - but by then BL didn’t have the money. The mk3 Marina was frankly embarrassing. Oddly, the Ital was quite a popular fleet car, due to a simple mechanical package and low running costs.

[@saxon-mt5by]

I ran a company-car 1.8 Marina in the late 1970s, replaced by an early M4 1.6 Cortina. In all real-world conditions the Marina was the better car - faster, more economical, better handling, more comfortable, better built, more reliable. After a year of the Cortina I handed in my notice, largely because of that car!

[@mrunique4871]

My grandad had a purple marina with an 1800 TC racing engine in it that thing went like stink for it's day .

[@antonyandrews3047]

The Marina's front Torsion Bar suspension was unique and gave a great ride.. It Also meant its front ride height could be adjusted for more clearance' The leaf sprung rear matched ford or Vauxhall. The Early Marina Estate version I worked on was a beautifully made car, and was retro fitted with a 1.8 B Series diesel engine

[@jamesbaker429]

Had two 1.8 marina's a very early TC saloon and a 76 estate had them both ten years but the rust wings and underbody terrible both had head gasket failures took advantage of this both home ported ,boy what an improvement both faster then mgb and so roomy ,estate good for 100 plus and mid 40s a gallon ,TC a beast off the clock Speedo 130 plus but care needed drift on corners and neither liked cross winds at motorway speeds the suspension not up to the power,went to sierra after that more positive ride .

[@limyrob1383]

Marinas make great run about bangers. They are so simple and parts cost nothing.

[@mattkinsella9856]

The thing that's not going to be obvious today is the Marina that survives today have been well looked after and upgraded to better radiators and other better quality parts. Back in the day they broke down constantly, which is a large part of the reason they were hated. Even the people that bought them didn't take long before they were desperate to get rid of them. A well loved Marina running fantastic in 2022 is not anywhere near a representation of the original car people suffered with and hated back in the day.

[@michaelgoode9555]

We had a K plate 1.6 Corrina L and my uncle had a 1500 Maxi. He nearly bought a 1.8 Marina but the hatch ack and 5 gears of the Maxi won the day. I always felt that the Corrina looked better but I always preferred journeys in my Uncle's Maxi. Dad went back to BL after the Corrina which was sandwiched between a Morris 1100 and a 1300 Allegro: another much maligned car and wrongly so in my opinion. If I have to choose I would choose BL or perhaps a mk 2 Escort 1.6.

[@berwhaletheavenger]

Now go and drive a Renault 16. It will astonish you as being the most comfortable and pleasant car you've ever driven. Or an Alfa Sud, same sort of era and price but more interior room and road manners 20 years ahead of these two.

[@owensmith8467]

That would have been my choice at the time, a 16 TX.

[@mryorkshire3623]

I had a Cortina mk3 GT 2000 with a twin choke weber carb in sunset red. It was my pride n joy at the time. Also had a mk5 1600L a few years later. Those 'pinto' engines were very reliable.

[@sultanoftippoo3857]

Really great to hear from another MKIII 2.0GT owner (most guys I knew who had one had the 1.6GT). Same as yours, mine was red with a black vinyl roof. I loved that car so much with its interior with the angled dials and superb seats. YNO854L is probably in a scrapyard somewhere now but it provided me with so many amazing memories from the 80’s it will always be one of my favourite cars.

[@gordonhouston4019]

Great car

[@johnmorris7815]

Welcome to my world, I owned a 1.8 Marina with my mate having a 1.6 Mk3 Cortina. I was lucky to get advice from a friend who knew the issues pertaining to the front suspension, he said “get a grease gun and do every nipple on the suspension every month”, I saw plenty of BL products by the side of the road with one front wheel on its side due to the ridiculous torsion bar suspension layout having the main trunnion in tension.

[@meditationmusicbyalexjackson]

I had an 1800 super. Loved it. Boot was rusted out and driver seat was held up by the spare wheel jammed behind it. Back then dodgy MOTS were £20

[@markwills145]

My family bought a 16 year old me a 1.3 coupe to do up as my first car. It was a very early build with the wipers the "correct" way around. The significance of this was when sourcing parts most did not fit. A chat with the brown jacket parts guy at the dealer ( remember them dirty hands and an amazing knowledge of parts) told me the early ones are a nightmare as so many small modifications were made but not recorded against chassis numbers. Any way the car was terrible, leaked from every panel joint( no seam sealer) is that why they called than marinas because boats could float in them? As for the driving experience very hard ride with the front and back suspension not taking to each other UNDERSTEER yes on a 1.3. Friends who drove an imp, hillman minx(not hunter type) and even an unsuspecting grandads two stroke Wartburg could not believe how bad it was. But at the end of the day it was my first car and I ended up becoming an engineer possibly from training rebuilding a Marina better than British Leyland built it the first time 😊

[@peterfrost696]

Sounds about right I had a 1.6 L Cortina 1975 N reg new company car (£1540 if I remember correct)followed by Mk4’s,Sierra 2.0 which was quickish. On an R plate we had Marina 1.3’s which managed 250miles a pint of oil from new ! They were cheap but were rubbish and by the late 1980’s I had an Audi 80 2.0e which was superb ,I remember borrowing a Vanden Plas something and that was junk as well.

[@derrickmanning2597]

my first car was a cortina 1600xl,had a white full webasto sunroof and rear wheel steering,damn those void bushes! loved every minute of that car. owned a few tinas including base,l and xl,had a mk4 estate also a 1600 but pinto not kent followed by a mk estate in gemini blue/white roof 2.3l auto in 1991.me and my dad had mk4 2.3l in ford velvet metalic,biege interiors and black vinyl roofs,his was auto and mine was a manual both had the cologne v6 and were creamy smooth to drive. both bought unknown to the other and registered 6 months apart! got a bland suzuki ignis(wifes mobility car)that has the charisma and charm of a lada(owned one so i know!) i would love to see BLJ700L again,in the knowledge that its nowhere near as good as i remember!

[@terryroberts505]

Only thing that was weak about the marina was the gear box especially going in to third gear I had a few back in the day and they was ok even had the one with the o series 1700 cc engine and the 1.8 was not that slow

[@notpoliticallycorrect1303]

Torsion bar front end was woeful and nothing compared to the double wishbone set up the fords were getting,O series came in 2.0 litre in the marina too,they used to rip the fuel pump bolt threads out of the head casing and I fixed a few where bizarrely the head of the crank pulley bolt had sheared off.

[@robertstorr1680]

No contest. Marina 1950's engine, Cortina, overhead cam. Cortina went round corners, Marina didn't!

[@hermanmunster3358]

The Cortina was always a bit edgy, a bit Regan and Carter. Whereas the Marina, was always a bit frumpy, a bit Terry and June with a flabby backside. No doubt it was capable, but BL had an image problem by that time, and people wanted 'COOL' which BL just couldn't seem to deliver to the masses. Ford gave us COOL, in spades, with the Mk1 Escort, Mk1 Capri, and every iteration of the Cortina. Ford delivered on the dreams of ordinary people and their aspirations, even with the Fiesta a little later. And with the Fiesta, many households achieved ownership of a 2nd car. If you had just passed your driving test, there was a modern, up to date alternative to the Mini. And it was a great shopping trolley for Granny, even if it was another 20 years or so before it was given power steering. So Ford really were "all things to all men" (and women) Even Vauxhall, with their GM backing, never REALLY managed to get close enough to scare Ford. Ford during the 70's were just unstoppable, and their cars were also stars of the small screen, which OBVIOUSLY helped to cement their COOL IMAGE. Just a shame they didn't galvanise the body panels. BL's offerings on the other hand, were usually the victims of staged, well rehearsed crashes, and viewers didn't seem to mind. Nobody got emotional over a Marina crashing into a lamp post, or a Princess being T-Boned. There was very little love for BL cars, which is quite sad, but true. And that is why BL were always at a disadvantage. If you didn't own a Ford, or a Vauxhall Viva, or Cavalier, but were a Marina, Allegro, or Princess owner then NOBODY took you seriously, or invited you over to a party. BL did have some seriously COOL marques in their stable however, such as Triumph, Jaguar, MG, Rover, Land Rover, Austin Healey, Wolseley. But they too suffered with lack of funding, which eventually forced BL to rationslise their range to cut costs, and share platforms and engines between all Marques. The Hyena's from the East could see the weaknesses, and eventually sealed the fate of BL, and by the time BL had morphed into Austin Rover, the writing was on the wall, and the British Lion had to share its den with the Hyenas.

[@graemew7001]

You two guys have hit the nail on the head, it wasn't that BL cars were bad (or any worse than most other makes), it was that they were the in joke at the time like Skoda in the 80's ( I do love an Estelle, guilty pleasure haha!!). I had an Allegro in '88 as my second car after a Mk 1 Escort and the Allegro, for all it burned oil was a far more comfortable and nicer to drive car, no street cred but a nicer car all round. I've never driven a Marina but I do think they get an unfairly bad rap.

[@carlarthur4442]

I had an Mk 2 Escort estate, a mk1 Cortina & a Mk 5 Cortina , in-between I owned a Marina Coupe, the Marina was more reliable, I've had other cars of all makes and types , really don't know which one I actually liked the best , I've had 3 minis and many more each had their own issues, if it was a British made car the biggest problem was Rust . Great video guys , thanks 😊

[@williamwoods8022]

Every car back then rusted bad even BMW and Mercedes etc.

[@robsmall6466]

Quite lucky to have a Marina estate in my area. I remember these being fairly common growing up but rare now

[@davidhealy4534]

My dad had a 1.8 Marina coupe in the late 70's/ early 80's

[@butterwortha1]

I've never been in a Marina that didn't break down. They was the older Mariners that was 10 + years old but looked to be in good condition. They had head gasket issues and problems with the hydrophilic clutch

[@jonathanmercer7109]

Having owned a Mark3 Cortina and my mates having had Marina's (elderly in all cases), no competition. Cortina every time.

[@MrCaptaingonads]

I had both of those cars in the past. The Marina Coupe was the one I had, I had 3 gearboxes in it and then it broke down on a duel carriageway, so I abandoned it. 😂 The Mk3 Cortina was my favourite all time car, loved it! 2.0XL. Brilliant car. I would have another one now if I could afford one.

[@robotmad]

Agreed about the gearboxes we had several all with similar issues of loosing reverse gear. we used to have to get out and push it backwards.

[@6chhelipilot]

Grandad had Marina's, Dad had MK l, ll and lll Cortina's, and I had MKlll and lV Cortina's. All had their good and bad points. Styling of Cortina's won it for me.

[@billy2rivers1]

I had a few of both the cortina was a cooler car but the gear stick used to fall out n your hand a lot. We used to wrap it in plumbers tape. The marina 1800 was way faster.

[@mjolnir774]

I had a 10 y old 1750 TC coupe. It was really spacious and a good cheap first family car. The only complaints I had were it's tendency to rust (like every god forgotten flamin Brit car I ever owned) and a bit of a wanderiness at motorway speeds. Other than that it gave great value.

[@davidlang3625]

When I was a young child in the early 70's my father had a Ford Escort MK1 work van which he liked. This was then replaced by a Morris Marina van. He was no car enthusiast but he moaned every morning that he had to use that Marina. In particular the unassisted brakes and the handling. However, thinking back I expect it was an early version of the Marina before those improvements were implemented.

[@johnwright3075]

Loved both cars went to Cornwall in a marina and we owned a mark lll cortina

[@neilearl3874]

I like Marinas but then I am biased. 1.3 Marina very decent , had a Y reg Austin Metro as my first car , also lovely to drive. I have been a passenger in an Ital which was very nice too,.

[@grayfool]

The Marina was not a horrible car. The build was pretty awful in places but that was just BL at the time. It wasn't any better or worse than most other cars at the time. I would have had a Maxi 1750 if I was buying at the time. Hatchback, 5 speed box, very smooth ride. That made both of these look old.

[@dutchjonnie]

Had a marina 1800TC it went really well but brakes and suspension weren’t up to it and it could get a bit scary. I really loved my Mk3 cortina (pinto engine) and remember thinking how much more car you got for your money and what a step up from the mk1&2 I had owned previously. Can’t believe what people are paying for them now! My dad had a Mk3 estate that he called a ‘Monday morning car’ it was truly awful !

[@chrislewis4830]

there wasnt just ford and BL there were many cars uk residents could choose from

[@stevedickson5853]

Love the Marina coupe body, the mk3 cortina was sculptured nice as well

[@markknight6267]

I had a Daytona 2.0 litre Gt Mk 3 Cortina. Loved its style and thought I was king of the road back in the day

[@TheVintageApplianceEmporium]

My late Uncle Doug used to buy a brand new car every three to four years. He started with Escort and then from the mid 70s, bought two Marinas back to back. One was an M reg the next an R. By the time 1981 rolled round he was SO FED UP with the dire engineering of the BL products (rust, breakdowns, things falling off, trying to kill him and the family) that he bought a Mk3 Escort Ghia in gold. He stuck with Ford until his death in 2009 having gone through another four Escorts and finally a Fusion!

[@raypurchase801]

I owned a Marina for many years. No pianos ever fell on it.

[@TheSoupdragon1968]

The better car by far was the Hillman Hunter, better quality better drive, good engine and overdrive.... Been in every model you can think of my aunt had a new cortina GT in orange.... Cool car my mates dad had a Hunter GLS fast smooth and comfortable.... Marina 1.8 owned by another friends mum ... Nice car but not in the same class as the Hunter....

[@rogerking7258]

The mere fact that BL put a load of Marinas out to the press with major (and known) handling problems rather sums it up. First impressions tend to stick. And then there was the appalling build quality that BL worked hard to infuse into all of their products at the time.

[@wadegarret]

The word is PROO-VEN NOT PRO-VEN GRRRRRRRR!!!!! Anyway, love the look of the Cortina and always have but I'd have the Marina over it just to be different...oh and my mate had a TC Marina which we had so much fun in!