Marlin Mk1

[davetlloyd]

I have been offered a Mk1 roadster which is in need of some tender loving care new engine required etc, which is being offered with the car. Its on a non Q plate registered 1970. Can someone please advise what kind of monies I should be paying as I have nothing to compare it to. Cheers.

[lizbillings]

Re: Marlin Mk1

Presume it has log book and is on sorn? Really depends on condition of paint and whether it has doors and hood. A good respray is expensive and also hood.

[davetlloyd]

Re: Marlin Mk1

It has a log book and a hood but the paint and overall condition is some what tatty. cheers

[danny_nelson]

Re: Marlin Mk1

The price is up to you and the seller. A car is worth what it makes on the day. 1970 reg is tax free that is worth consideration to start with.
Regards
Danny.

[tymill]

Re: Marlin Mk1

As Danny's mentioned, any item is worth exactly what a buyer is willing to pay for it at a given time...

To be honest, I think he'd have a hard time shifting it to a general member of the public if you didn't show interest, so you're really in a very strong position here.

On the other hand, if he's in no rush to sell it...

Nevertheless, Triumph cars are the best! Good luck.

[b_caswell]

Re: Marlin Mk1

Hi David, I am the Triumph tech rep and also hold the register of MK1 cars. Its difficult to put a price on this and as above say its what you feel its worth. With experience cars with a six cylinders are a dream to drive but four cylinder cars are more spritely and easier to work on. Mechanical spares are in good supply from Triumph Specialists. Body parts are virtually non existant.
If the car has doors its in its favour and the quality of the original build is usually obvious.
Ideally the log book should state the car as a Marlin or Kit or Special if it still states for example make "Triumph" model "Herald" I would check with DVLA or get the present owner to sort it out. But having said that there are still plenty of kit carts running around on the doner log book.
I would be interested in the details of the car for the register.ie Reg no Kit chassis no(which is punched into the N/S bulkhead will try to add pic) colour ,engine and doors Y/N. If you do decide to go with it you will be assured a warm welcome into the club. Best of Luck. Ben Caswell

[b_caswell]

Re: Marlin Mk1

if this doesnt work email me [email protected]

[b_caswell]

Re: Marlin Mk1

I wont give in. See thread in roadster forum "suspension pics" 14 Dec 07

[macdonald.dm]

Re: Marlin Mk1

Hi David.

I'm sure you'd love someone to give you a ball-park figure! Unfortunately I can't as I only 'know' the Berlinetta.

I'd check the reg docs carefully tho'. If the car is still registered as the donor - Triumph Herald/Vitesse or whatever - then you could have problems when you come to transfer the docs and give it its next MOT.

MOTs are all computerised now, and if the docs say 'Triumph' and the MOT tester says it's a 'Marlin', you'll suddenly find you cannot buy a tax disc for it...

However, if the seller can provide good evidence that the car was, indeed, a Marlin before 1998, then you should be able to have the docs changed to 'Marlin' at a registration office. Good evidence would include pre-'98 MOTs which show it as a Marlin, possibly photographic evidence (eg: a shot taken at a show which can be dated), old kit-car insurance docs, etc.

Seriously, tread with care if its still registered as a Triumph.

Ball-park figure anyone?!

[dave]

Re: Marlin Mk1

Hi David

I bought one in 2002 which had been completed, but was in a bit of a state from disuse, for £500. It needed a complete rebuild and i have ended up spending loads of money on it. In hindsight i think it would have been better to start with one that was already in usable condition and then done any improvements, repairs from there even if it meant taking it off the road for a few months, althogh mine has taken a while longer with house moves, alterations and other projects in between. As other have said be carefull of the paperwork it is not possible to get it changed to marlin in my experience even if all the previous paper work is corectly done. I have tried with mine and told it is correctly registered as it does state it is a "triumph herald sports"
Dave

[cdow]

Re: Marlin Mk1

Mine's registered as a 'Morris Marina 1.8 Sports' - never had a problem with MOT etc. in 20 years

[macdonald.dm]

Re: Marlin Mk1

Hi Chris - that's interesting.

How does your MOT station name the car on the doc - also as a 'Morris Marina 1.8 Sports'?

I think the day they decide to call it a 'Marlin Roadster', you'll have a problem.

That's my understanding, anyway...

[leigh.roll]

Re: Marlin Mk1

My car is also registered as a Morris Marlin. On the old Mots going back to 1983 = 3 call her a Morris Marlin, 11 just Marlin and 8 (including current certificate) just Morris! I was thinking of trying to get the registration changed to Marlin Roadster. Is this a good idea or am I asking for trouble?

[neilryland]

Re: Marlin Mk1

Mine's registered as a Marlin Roadster (23 years ago) and kept the donor orginal manufacture date of 1970 - so it's tax exempt which is handy.

[macdonald.dm]

Re: Marlin Mk1

Hi Leigh.

Mu understanding of this (taken from the NG Owners' Club, of which I am also a member) is that if you can PROVE that your car was a Marlin pre-1998 (and old MOTs are perfect for this) then you can take all your docs to a local licensing centre and they will alter your V5 to 'Marlin Roadster'.

'Morris Marlin' is ok, tho', as it's clear what the car actually is - take your V5 with you for MOTs and ask them to fill the details the same way.

The problem can arise when a kit is still registered as the donor car, and the MOT station notes it down as a Marlin. It's all computerised these days, and the DVLA will get conflicting info sent to them which they HAVE been picking up and acting on (I'm not saying they will in every case, but it has been done).

The onus then is on the car owner to PROVE that is was a kit pre-SVA date (1998), or else they can insist it is SVA-tested...