![The Morris Marina and Ital were popular when new, despite being slated by the press Classic & Sports Car – Buyer’s guide: Morris Marina & Ital](/sites/default/files/styles/article/public/2022-03/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20Buyer%E2%80%99s%20guide%20%E2%80%93%20%20Morris%20Marina%20%26%20Ital%20%E2%80%93%20LEAD.png?itok=5sfiqUvZ)
Why you’d want a Morris Marina & Ital
The much-anticipated first all-new product of British Leyland, developed in under three years, was launched with the rather arrogant slogan: ‘What happens when the best engineers in the world set out to create a beautiful car? The new Morris Marina – beauty with brains behind it.’
Motor complimented the high torsional stiffness and low weight of both the saloon and Coupé shells, designed by Roy Haynes, and tactfully commented: ‘Both are attractive in their way…’
Following BMC’s pioneering transverse front-drive layouts of the ’60s, rear-wheel drive and an in-line engine, like its saloons of the ’50s, seemed retrograde.
However, like the brilliant-value rear-drive Ford Escort, it was popular with fleet buyers, where durability and low maintenance costs counted – and the bigger boot was appreciated, too.
Improved engine mounts and sound insulation allowed the perky A-series and torquey B-series to hide their age and offer range-leading pace and economy in 1971.
![The Morris handles and rides respectably for a car of its era Classic & Sports Car – Buyer’s guide: Morris Marina & Ital](/sites/default/files/2022-03/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20Buyer%E2%80%99s%20guide%20%E2%80%93%20%20Morris%20Marina%20%26%20Ital%20%E2%80%93%2010.png)
Emissions were improved with a new ‘swing-needle’ SU carb and a heated inlet manifold.