In 1967, Joe Edwards of BMH managed to secure the services of Roy Haynes from Ford as a stylist at the new BMH/Pressed Steel styling studios at Cowley in Oxford. Haynes had previously successfully styled the Ford Cortina Mk2 and he applied the style of this design to his new project, ADO28 – what was to become the Marina.
Below are some fascinating pictures that show the cars BLMC turned down – and the proposals by Haynes that won over Harry Webster, George Turnbull and Donald Stokes.
Earliest thoughts
The Italian contributions
Marina takes shape…
Picture supplied by John Capon
Finishing touches
Picture supplied by John Capon
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For some reason the first picture showing the clay model’s front end seems to be very familiar though am unable to put my finger on exactly which car the front end was influenced by.
puts mean mind of the 1953-1961 Ford prefect/anglia/popular
Ford Escort MK I and Simca 1100 (the front end). The side lines are more close to Escort MK II.
The Marina prototype designed by Roy Haynes was more like the finished product. My parody stories state that a Portuguese man was working on designing a BMC car to compete with the Seat 124 and the managing director of the company he worked for was sacked by the union for doing naff all other than hold him back.
The top coupe pic looks stunning- much better than anything that went into production. Why did BL- like Vauxhall (with the Firenza) not have any confidence in the compact/coupe market. Ford were the only manufacturer who really understood this niche and the image required and exploited it with the Capri. The other car that looks great is the one in the last photo- although it does look a little like a facelift Hillman Hunter. Why did the Marina never get the planned rectangular headlamps and Rostyle wheels. Cost?
In another of my intended parody stories it’s stated that the Morris Minor had to be axed as soon as the Ford Taunus TC1 and Opel Ascona A started coming off the production line.
My intended parody story revolved around Gerry Anderson becoming Chief Stylist at BLMC but I couldn’t find a publisher as it was too close to the truth. S.I.G.
Years ago, I saw a picture of a Bronze MG Marina. Does anyone have any pictures of it. As I recall it was ‘enhanced’ with BL Special Tuning add-ons.