Mark 1 1971 - 1975
The Morris Marina was introduced to the great driving public on April 19th 1971. It had been developed over the previous three years as a replacement for the Farina-styled Morris Oxford and the erstwhile Morris Minor, both of which, by the late 1960's, were old designs. The Minor had been in production since 1948 and whilst Alex Issigonis had produced a classic design, well ahead of it's time, by 1967 it was too long in the tooth to compete with the offerings of Ford, Vauxhall and the Rootes Group. BMC had tempted Ford stylist Roy Haynes into the fold and he had successfully styled the corporate BMC image, ie the Mini Clubman and Maxi, but as explained more fully in Development History he had great plans for the BMC range which would start with ADO28 as the Marina was coded. These were only partly to be realised as by the time the design hit the streets, many compromises had been made to the original concept, many for the worst.
		Morris Marina Mk1 1.8TC 'Jubilee'
Chronology April 19th 1971 Morris Marina introduced in either 4-door saloon or 2-door coupe body styles. Engines fitted from new (in UK) were 1275cc 'A' series and 1798cc 'B' series OHV engines. Trim levels were DeLuxe, Super DeLuxe and for the 1.8, the TC which used a version of the same engine as fitted to the MGB. Model range comprised of: 1.3 De Luxe, Super De Luxe saloon 1.3 De Luxe, Super De Luxe coupe 1.8 De Luxe, Super De Luxe, TC saloon 1.8 De Luxe, Super De Luxe, TC coupe February 1972 Rear brake adjusters on 1.8 models changed from the automatic ratchet type to manual screw June 1972 Alternators fitted as standard across the range. Pre-engaged starter and tachometer fitted to 1.8 models September 1972 Morris Marina Estate car (station wagon) introduced with the 1.8 engine. No TC version available. only DL and SDL. Car range given stiffer suspension to try and improve roadholding, 8" clutch fitted to 1.3 as standard instead of the 6.5" version originally fitted which had the habit of causing terminal clutch judder. May 1973 Special edition Marina TC produced to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Morris Motors, in Limeflower with Black vinyl roof, Sundym glass, laminated windscreen, wheel trims, opening quarterlight windows, door mirrors, coach line, brushed nylon seats, head restraints, hazard warning lights and additional driving lamps. There were 2000 produced and they were called the Marina Jubilee TC. MG also produced the MGB with the same specs. August 1973 Drum brakes on 1.3 Marina cars modified to improve braking September 1973 Marina 1.8TC upgraded with Sundym glass, brushed nylon seats, vinyl roof, twin coachlines, hazard warning lights and head restraints as standard. Production Figures 1971: 36,039 1972: 155,817 1973: 201,724 1974: 155,071 1975: 134,989 1976: 104, 510 (Change from Mk1 to Mk2)		Mk1 TC saloon and TC Jubilee Mk1 1.8 SDL saloon