Founded in 1985 by Frank Phillips and Clive Higgins, the Morris Marina Owners Club and Morris Ital Register actively promotes the restoration, maintenance and use of all variants of Marina and Ital. This is done by way of presence at major classic car shows (such as those at the NEC), the publication of a quality quarterly magazine (Understeer) and an annual National meeting where the emphasis is on driving and showing the cars.
In addition, the Club supports club members with technical advice, archive records, the provision of spares including remanufactured parts and a comprehensive range of merchandise. Special events are also organised on an ad hoc basis – in 2021 a John O’Groats to Land’s End charity run in 24 hours was arranged to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Marina.
Close contact with the classic motoring press is maintained to further the aims of the Club and raise awareness of and interest in the marques. An example of this is the assistance given to Danny Hopkins of Practical Classics with the rebuild of his 1971 Marina 1.3 Coupe.
The Club welcomes anyone that owns or is interested in Morris Marinas and Itals and has just joined the Classic Car Loan Project to encourage young people’s interest in the cars by making a 1980 Ital available to the scheme.
Over 1 million Marinas and Itals of all variants were manufactured between 1971 and 1984; an impressive number. They appealed to fleet and commercial vehicle operators as well as private buyers. Today around 500 cars are thought to remain. Both marques are important to Britain’s motoring history and the Club with its 300 or so members makes sure that this history is not forgotten.
