Introduction
Glyn Parry
The only surviving roadworthy Rheingold Metallic TC coupe in the UK - this is the Marina owner's holy grail!
The Morris Marina was introduced to appeal to the mass market, serving as a car to cater for the fleet and private markets. It fulfilled its purpose with exceptional sales, becoming one of the brands biggest selling cars of the ’70s. Conventionally engineered, they were also offered in various trims and specifications, which included this top of the range 1.8 TC. They were sold with twin SU carburettors and front disc brakes as standard, with later versions also benefiting from improved driver comfort, as well as the desirable vinyl roof, tinted windows and reversing lights as standard.
This 1.8 TC Coupe in Rheingold Metallic is said to be unique in the UK and has been subject to a ground-up two-year restoration back in 2007. It comes with two files full of paperwork, restoration photos and invoices from its previous owners. The more recent owners have all been in the same family, i.e. Mel's brother, then her father and now her. The car has been in storage for the last five years but has been remarkably well preserved. It will need to be regarded as a light renovation project, but could still be considered as one of the best TC coupes known to the owner's club.
This auction listing was written from information supplied by Glyn after meeting Mel the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.
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We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.
Full Transparency
8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.
Vehicle Delivery
We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.
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I WANT ONEAsk Questions
Hi can you tell me if the marina move under its own steam.many thanks Dave
Morning David
Before I got the cars started we pushed them out of the garage. It rolled on its own until brakes were applied to stop it. Is this what you mean by cars own steam? If so the answer is yes. Cheers Mel
Hi Mel ,sorry should have explained better my fault ,is the clutch engaging or seized,cheers Dave
Hi sorry. Yes all is good
Hi can you tell me does the marina move under its own steam .many thanks Dave
Hello
I can only see one carb, used to own a TC and seem to remember side by side, tried finding a photo online but couldn’t.
Thanks
If you look in the photos you will see both carbs one either side of the air filter
Thankyou john2555 for answering the carb question
I’ve got some lovely Friday news for all you Marina fans. Mel has got the car running! She asked a local mechanic to take a look and it just needed the distributor / points cleaning and fired up no problems. Here’s a video she took to see the car running sweetly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hjv02YOJPyg
Hello and good evening may I phone you please to ask a a few derails or my number is ***** Thanks Barry
Morning Barry could I ask you to ask all questions by posting on trade classics please. Hope you understand Mel.
Thanks for your interest Barry but I’ve removed your phone number to protect your identity. Like Mel says, please post here so it keeps everything nice and transparent.
Here’s a great link to see the work that was done to the car https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csgJ0zWMfe0
Hello everyone – it’s Adam from TC. As most of you know we don’t usually auction cars of this value, however, after talking to Mel and her story / association with the cars then we had to help.
The reason why it took longer to consign is because of Covid / bad weather and also we wanted to send our most technical guy to photograph the car to see if he could get the car running with the limited time he had. He tried his best but he didn’t have a spare coil with him (most likely cause).
Of course you are all petrolheads and can see how good this car is and Mel’s genuine story. So please bid with the knowledge you have – the facts have been laid out as we know them.
If it was me and I wanted a TC then I’d be very interested and have confidence – but that’s me and you may think differently.
Whatever you think, please be kind and respect the emotional connection Mel has to this sale. ecc123 there is nothing ‘strange’ going on here. Stewart – thanks for your reply and seeing the sale as it is.
Thanks Adam Trade Classics
So am I right in reading the description the engine doesn’t actually start or run and no test drive was performed ??
That is correct, it did not start on the day.
??
On the day trade classics came to help me get the car out & photograph it.
Okay thankyou. If it is being sold as a non runner or non starter, then I will not be bidding on it as it could have engine compression / gasket issues etc. If it is supposedly only an ignition issue I really don’t understand why it hasn’t been sorted to sell the car as the listing has been waiting to start on here for over 5 weeks
Goodluck but its not one for me
OK thank you. I should get it started then.
Clearly neither Mel nor the consigner are mechanics and therefore couldn’t get the car started. With such a thorough advert compiled here this would not put me off bidding on this well restored car which is a credit to its owners, although it might make me think about how much I would bid and I’m sure this has been taken into account with the reserve that has been set on the auction.
Good luck to Mel and anyone bidding.
Just one thing to point out the mileage states 164,931 in the ‘key details’ section – I believe this to be a mistake as everywhere else ties up with 106k, perhaps those managing this site can update accordingly.
Stewart. While it was a comprehensive restoration 13 years ago and looks good, You would think it was advisable to get a car running having been stood for 5 years. If doesnt run, get it running then list the auction. This is a bit strange to auction a car that fails to run or start that is hopefully something simple. Be far better to fix and relist
Oops thanks for pointing that our Stewart. The mileage has been corrected now. Cheers. Adam
Thankyou Stuart for your kind words
Vehicle Location
Colchester, Essex
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