What suspension?

[bumpy]

My last experience with kit cars was in the seventies when I owned a Dutton (Lotus 7), a Jago Jeep and a Manta Ray beach buggy.

Now once again I am trying to come to grips with the current cars on offer. As I said in another posting I would like simple mechanics so am looking at early versions of the Marlin.

It's relatively easy to see the use of Marina and Ford pinto engines, but I cant unravel the rear axle / front suspension combo's. Most I have come across so far have Marina all round but I am surprised how many owners dont really know.

I am guessing that if the host car was a Ford then all the Ford bits would have been transferred across.

Can anyone fill in the details?

[stevejgreen]

Re: What suspension?

First read
http://www.marlinownersclub.com/history.html

First cars were all Triumph based suspension, front and rear, then Hybrid cars with Triumph front and Marina Rear, and finally all Marina.

[bumpy]

Re: What suspension?

First read
http://www.marlinownersclub.com/history.html

First cars were all Triumph based suspension, front and rear, then Hybrid cars with Triumph front and Marina Rear, and finally all Marina.

Thanks

If its a Ford engine with Marina suspension is it likely to be on a Q plate as its not a single donor car?

[stevejgreen]

Re: What suspension?

The Q plate is for a car where the year of original manufacture is uncertain based on a scoring system of the components used. It gets skewed because there are some Marlins that are still DVLA registered a Morris Marinas. If the original builder did not care, he might, as mine was, build from one donor, but still end up with a Q.

No Marlin can be built younger than 1979, the donor might be a 60's Triumph or a post 1971 Marina.

Once a car has a Q plate it cannot be changed or personalised.