Buy British and follow the VSCC

Sir,

Practically everybody is getting into action to deride British Leyland, drawing attention to an ageing range of motor vehicles in which number the Marina is always picked out.

The Marina when it was first introduced was not a particularly good car; over the years it has been much impriwed..I have just sold a 1973 1.8 Marina Super,. which over the 66,000 miles had hardly needed any money spent on repairs. A lammed thermostat, which I should have noticed but did not, led to a burst radiator and I have had to In a new oil seal to the gearbox, that is all except lir tyres and two exhaust systems. I now have a 1.8 Marina Estate which has completed 3,000 miles of trouble-free running in. The improved roll resistance and stiffer rear springs have made it a very line car indeed with excellent handling characteristics; combine this with 30 miles to the gallon average fuel L’onsumption and prodigious torque so you can take Hollister Pass in second gear makes the Estate a splendid car. One of the plus factors of the Estate is that it does not have the emission control version of the 1.8 engine fitted. The number of these ears used by members of the Vintage Sports Car Club is remarkable with a fair showing. by members of the Frazer Nash Section and this indicates that you can have a British Volvo, with much better fuel consumption and road holding, and also save yourself several thousand pounds as well.

Northwich DAVID THIRLBY

(The VSCC, when not out in proper motor-cars, has advocated Light 15 Citroens, Lancia Aprilias, Volvo 122S, Rover 2000s, Range Rovers and now Morris Marinas – well I never! –Ed.)