Description
Produced from 1973, West Country Leyland distributors and dealers Mumford of Plymouth commissioned Crayford to develop a Marina convertible. They paid all the development costs in exchange for manufacturing rights and the sole franchise to market the car.
Based on the two door hardtop Marina coupe, Crayford found it difficult to develop the 2 door shell with the roof removed as it produced an odd looking profile, the back end appeared too long when the roof was off.
Crayford got round both problems by introducing a unique and very clever double rollover bar with a glass inlay between the two bars, this drew the top side profile visibly back. It was shown for the first time on Crayford’s stand at the Motor Show in London in October 1973. Production was at Mumford’s Plymouth plant and each car carried a Mumford boot badges.
It was available as a 1. 3 or 1. 8 car, and also as a desirable 1. 8 TC. With the twin carb MGB engine it was a fast, value for money convertible. The conversion sold at a £550 premium making a convertible £1. 822, this went up to £2, 156 for a 1. 8 TC in 1975.
Mumford was slowly brought down and into receivership when its caravan and camper conversion business collapsed.
From 1976 for a short period the cars continued to be built by Torcars of Torrington, Devon who also produced the Marina camper van based on the 10CWT Marina van. Sold via all B. L. dealers, though only made to order the cars then carried the Torcars badge very few cars where produced throughout the entire production run.
This example was purchased new in July 1976 via a Durham B. L. Dealership in North East by Mr Norman Smith as his retirement present this is one of the first Mk2 Marina’s to be converted.
The car was used regularly until May 1997 clocked up an impressive 152, 000 miles when it was beyond economic repair.
As the car was such a rare example it was sold on in June 1997 to enthusiastic members of the Morris Marina owners club to be extensively rebuilt.
After a period of storage the car was then subject to a major restoration, most of the original convertible components used as patterns such as the hood etc. The rebuild was completed in 2003 when the car was displayed at the Marina Owners Club National event winning a number of awards.
In 2005 the car featured in a national advert shown on TV and in cinemas.
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This car is offered for film hire, magazine shoots, advertising and photography work. Please call Richard for further information.
