Full time

[tomallen_2003]

Hi everyone

I have made the decision to sell my normal car and just drive the marlin as it will be on the road within the next few weeks.

You may think I am completely mad but not as bad as it sounds as i cycle to work and have use of a landrover and my girlfriends car if need be.

So does anybody else use their marlin full time?

Also what additions have peoples marlins got that make them more user friendly in general.


All the best

[martinclan]

Re: Full time

I built a Triumph based roadster more years ago than I care to remember and used it as my everyday car for two years. So - yes its possible.

Robin

[tymill]

Re: Full time

Hi Tom,

Marlin's can definately be a daily driver...

My Mark 1 Triumph roadster's been my sole automobile for the last 9 years. It's parked in the street in Camden Town, and it is a real, working car.

I've moved house with it, and even helped friends move house with it! Never under-estimate the power of bungee cords and a bit of lateral thinking...

It's regularly driven in the rain, the snow, and even on long distance drives as far as Eastern Europe on a few occasions.

To be fair, however, I am lucky enough to be able to walk to work every day, so the car's not actually used daily per se.

Nevertheless, a serious upgrade that I would highly recommend would be to install a heater if you don't have one already. I installed the kit-spec Herald heater a couple of years ago, and it's made the car infinitely more comforatable in the cold. And it's put an end to the one-hand-with-a-towel-endlessly-mopping-the-windscreen defogging situation.

Good luck!

[tomallen_2003]

Re: Full time

Thanks for the pictures Ty its nice to see somebody who uses it daily. Makes me feel im not totally mad lol. I like the pictures especially the snow one.

I do have a heater from a mini but its a bit bulky to fit so am looking for a replacement as it was a freebie off a mate.

How is your spare wheel mounted on the side panel as i would like to do that aswell did you cut into the wing or is far back enough not to do that? also im guessin by the position it is on that angled strut or possibly the engine mount?

Tom

[KitCarGirl]

Re: Full time

Hi Tom

My Berlinetta was my only car for 18 years until I changed jobs and was forced kicking and screaming to get a second "sensible" motorway car. However my Marlin is still my main car and is used 80% of the time still right through the year. Granted it is bigger than a Roadster and has a back seat and a boot so allows for more storage but it's still a Marlin.

[cdow]

Re: Full time

Mine was a daily driver for about 4 years when I first got it - rain, shine & snow. Of course I was younger, fitter and slimmer then. It's now extremely difficult to get in/out with the roof up to the point were I really need to snap the roof on once inside!

[tymill]

Re: Full time

Cheers Tom,
If you do decide to fit a heater, search these forums as there was qutie a bit of discussion on the topic when I was preparing to install one in my car.

I'd also considered a mini unit, but the herald heater is really perfect for the application. It is mounted on the engine-side of the firewall, so it takes up no space at all inside the car, and the plumbing and wiring is easy.

There are some people on the forum with immense knowlege and experience about the topic, and the original manual also is very helpful. Only thing is that you might need to relocate your windscreen wiper motor. Find the manual on www.tiyen.com/moc/

Cheers!
Ty

[tymill]

Re: Full time

Hmm, the link is:
www.tiyen.com/moc

Cheers,
Ty

[tymill]

Re: Full time

Right, third time lucky:

www.tiyen.com/moc

[tomallen_2003]

Re: Full time

Sounds good then im really happy other people have found them practical.

I must say i am really struggling wiht locating this heater as i have the 2.5 i cant seem to find space anywhere to put one but im going to take trip down the breakers and raid there stocks to see what i could use chance are i will fabricate my own as its useful having a girlfriend whos dad owns a sheet metal fabricators. (where i got my new side panels from aswell- if anyone is interested just ask)

I know what you mean chris about getting in and out as mine hasnt got doors so should be fun in the rain.

Also what sort of MPG do people get as im not expecting too much but would like 30 when driven economically (boringly). It is the 2.5 with weber carbs.

All the best

[Dane_Rescueman]

Re: Full time

Have a look at the CBS website. Their heater is very compact and may fit your car. I have recently fitted one to my Berli and it is very efficient.

[dogoncrazy]

Re: Full time

Tom
I used my Roadster for nearly 12 years all year round.A heater with demist facility is a bonus IF you have to put the hood up! I have drawing for one using a matrix from Sierra that member designed which is quite compact. could supply photocopy if its of interest.

[tomallen_2003]

Re: Full time

Cheers for that alan and dane im gonna give a polo heater a try as was told they are nice and compact if not i will have to venture down the route of making my own so if possible alan could i please take you up on the offer of a photocopy.

[dogoncrazy]

Re: Full time

Tom
If you care to e mail me your address I'll get photocopy to you

[tomallen_2003]

Re: Full time

If you could send me an email on [email protected] i will have your email aswell and will send you my home address if thats okay. Cheers Alan.