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A miraculous Morris Marina 10 cwt pick-up, magazine featured and utterly lovely.

EQUIPMENT
All steel delivery vehicle of unitary construction, hinged cab doors, anti-burst locks, hinged tailboard, zebra-zoned toughened windscreen, safety glass windows, chromium plated front bumper and rear quarter bumpers, chromium plated hub caps, driver and passenger door mirrors, rear load area tonneau, hardwood load area edge protection strips, driver and passenger seats, twin sun visors, fresh air heater with adjustable vents, vinyl trimmed door panels, hazard warning lamps, ashtray. Dealer fitted accessories; Towbar with single electric socket, Line-X coating.

EXTERIOR
A commercial vehicle from British Leyland still in existence almost 50 years after being built, this incredibly rare Morris Marina 10 cwt pick-up is simply remarkable. Sourced from a fascinating private collection which included over 100 vehicles and no less than 40 Morris Marina’s, mostly commercials, this 1975 10 cwt pick-up is presented beautifully in Mineral Blue. The pick-up variant came only in one trim level which included all the extra equipment that was featured on the optional Deluxe Van model. This included chrome bumpers, passenger seat and sun visor and a heater. This restored example looks incredible with a bright uniform paint finish with only minor imperfections visible upon close inspection, commensurate with an older restoration. The chrome work is bright with only light tarnishing and genuine Lucas headlamps are fitted. The hardwood finishing to the load area is perfect as is the tonneau cover and lashing hooks. The ideal dare to be different classic commercial and a dream promotional vehicle!

INTERIOR
Revert back to far a simpler era of motoring whereby manufacturers were even meaner to commercial vehicle drivers and the luxuries of a passenger seat and heater were factory cost options in many cases! Indeed, the Marina Van buyer had to stretch to the Deluxe model for such extravagance, which thankfully the pick-up had as standard along with other Deluxe features. The seats were professionally retrimmed at the time of restoration in plush light navy with piping and remain in superb condition. In fact, most of the interior was professionally reworked to include new headlining and refurbished dashboard. An innovative product called Line-X coating was used on the cab floor and load area floor and sides, the huge benefits of which are very durable protection against usage wear and the elements, a superb neat finish and better soundproofing. The ethos of everything you need and nothing else follows with the dashboard sparsely equipped. A wonderful piece of usable and practical nostalgia for many!

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
A 1275cc A-Series engine offers absolute mechanical simplicity and a plethora of parts availability, this pick-up is as easy to run and maintain as was the intention when new with power output quoted at 57bhp. The engine starts at the flick of the key and runs beautifully. The humble A-series looks slightly lost in the capacious engine bay but both the engine and ancillaries are beautifully clean as are the spotless inner wings and under bonnet paintwork. The engine has had a complete overhaul with hardened exhaust valve seats and bronze valve guides to run on unleaded. The four-speed gearbox with full synchromesh operates perfectly and this Marina pick-up certainly drives as good as it looks!

WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
Correct heavy duty pressed-steel disc wheels are immaculate and painted in ivory with the original chromium hubcaps in superb condition. Matching Goodyear GT2 tyres have masses of tread and are fitted to all five wheels including the spare. The standard braking system is well maintained and incorporates servo assistance and 9in drums all-round.

HISTORY FILE
Registered new on the 3rd February 1975, the Austin Morris Passport to Service booklet records the supplying dealer as High Street Garage in Corsham and first registered keeper a firm called Pickwick Motor Works. In 2014 the pick-up was purchased by a Mr Page where it joined what is most likely the largest collection of Morris Marina’s in existence, most of which were Marina commercials. The collection had amassed to over 100 vehicles, 40 of which were Marina’s, and still to this day includes the famous Ford Capri 2.0S and Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Series III from the iconic TV show, Minder.

In 2007 a classic car restoration specialist company were on the lookout for a vehicle to restore and promote their business. The Austin A35 and Mini Van were considered but having spotted this Marina pick-up and deciding it would be better suited to carrying larger body panels, it was purchased and the project began. A full strip down and restoration began where they were pleasantly surprised at just how good shape the vehicle was in. Following the full strip down with engine and gearbox out, the rebuild began including a professional repaint in Mineral instead of the Grey. No expense was spared and the process has been documented in detail including a total of 453.5 hours in labour alone! Furthermore, there are magazine features including Classic Van and pick-up as well as online features detailing the restoration. The history file is complete with the feature magazines, an original sales brochure and parts catalogue as well as the Passport to Service booklet, owner’s manual and dealer directory. An almost inconceivable survivor against the odds, this classic commercial is simply marvellous and one of the best!

MOT May 2024, Tax Exempt and HPI Clear.

Genre

Restored