Styled in Italy, built in Britain - The story of the blue Ital Van

[quicksilver]

Or even better the 2.0 as briefly offered in the Ital.

 

I think the vans were only offered with 1.1 and 1.3 A series.

There is this 1.7 pickup about, rebuilt from a wrecked saloon with quite an interesting backstory that featured in the aforementioned mag.

1978 Morris Marina 1.7 HL pickup by Adam Floyd, on Flickr

 

And a couple of pickups still working for a living. This one has spent its whole life on a potato farm and took first prize at last year's FOTU.

1981 Morris Marina 575 pickup by Adam Floyd, on Flickr

 

This one appeared at the FOTU this year covered in brick dust

1983 Morris Ital 575 pickup by Adam Floyd, on Flickr

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Marina vans were excellent; what was a very average car became a great Estate car as well.

 

Approval rating 9.69/10.

[eddyramrod]

Ray Doyle memorably used a Marina version, in Teal, in one episode of The Professionals...

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Back in the late 80's, a friends mum parked up her old LWB Landie as it was pretty much ruined. She replaced it with a scruffy white Marina van which she christened 'Hetty'. Even then, I don't rememeber them being a common sight on the roads?

[DodgeRover]

Pickups were massively popular upto about 1983 as new shells weren't a lot of money, then simply add one rotten or crashed Marina and register as a new vehicle.

Father DR had one built from an 1800TC that was deadly in the wet with no load in the back.

[dollywobbler]

I love the "Styled in Italy" claim.

 

Yeah, the first 6 inches of car maybe.

 

Not even that. Ital Design's only input was to take Harris Mann's facelift idea and ready it for production. That's why it has a 'corporate' nose, like the Ambassador. Why Ital Design didn't sue, I've no idea. BL just went along with the myth that the car now had Italian styling!

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Seeing that Proffesionals van with slotted wheels, reminded me that 7cwt vans had saloon type wheels but the bigger payload (9cwt ?) and pickups always had solid , slightly wider or at least different offset rims.

Somewhere in the dusty recesses of my brain, I think there's more to it than just wheel design, different axles maybe?

Possibly the reason you see more pickups/vans with alloys or MGB rims than saloons.

 

Also a mate was given a brand new Ital van as an apprentice sparky for EMEB, we never* towed a 3.0 Capri at up to 80mph from Oswestry to Milton Keynes with wallpaper masking taped over the sign writing .

[richardthestag]

Early 80s the builder / la la labourer over the road from my folks house used an utterly ruined Marina van, started it with a lolly stick, drove it like he stole it. It lasted longer than most of his other chod

[trigger]

I'm told these share the same rear axle as a MGB, lower ratio so it can tow the heavier weight meaning quicker acceleration but rubbish top end.

 

I quite like a cool set of wheels for it seeing as all the tyres are shagged but to keep costs down I'm tempted to just get a set of part worns fitted instead.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

A bit of googling reveals that the 10cwt , ie solid wheels does indeed have an MGB axle. Which means it has a different PCD , 4.5" instead of 3.75" of 7cwt and all saloons, coupes,estates.

 

This must be true, the info came from MrBollox on an old Blue Forum thread.

[tooSavvy]

^^ PW FTW M8

 

TS

[adw1977]

Hopefully this scan from a 1979 brochure will answer the wheel/axle questions:

 

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/61090099@N04/25565021854/in/album-72157666494648746/

[Guest Hooli]

I'm told these share the same rear axle as a MGB, lower ratio so it can tow the heavier weight meaning quicker acceleration but rubbish top end.

 

I quite like a cool set of wheels for it seeing as all the tyres are shagged but to keep costs down I'm tempted to just get a set of part worns fitted instead.

 

Wire wheels it is then!

[0ldCh0d]

Royal Mail it.....

 

[flat4alfa]

I'm told these share the same rear axle as a MGB, lower ratio so it can tow the heavier weight meaning quicker acceleration but rubbish top end.

 

I quite like a cool set of wheels for it seeing as all the tyres are shagged but to keep costs down I'm tempted to just get a set of part worns fitted instead.

 

Ebay Gumtree MongSwapz is full of wheel/tyre combos of ROstyles and stuff

Rather than shod those old rims, buy a good set of the lot

 

 

 

Otherwise, knock-on wires will need knocked-off hubs, as they are quite expensive

[trigger]

I've been offered a set of MGB Rostyles with good tyres and chrome trims for £100 but I don't think they will suit it.

[oldcars]

Original wheels for me. If i win the lottery i will buy this if and when you sell.

[flat4alfa]

I've been offered a set of MGB Rostyles with good tyres and chrome trims for £100 but I don't think they will suit it.

 

Nor do I, what with the side exit exhaust, twin-carb trumpets standing tall through the bonnet, and ZZ-Top style graphics.

[JeeExEll]

Have no pics but a mate of my dad's was a Hotpoint service engineer fixing washing machines, fridge-freezers, etc. Around 1980/81 he was allocated an Ital van in the new early-80s Hotpoint-livery chocolate-brown and beige!

[flat4alfa]

AS Colours

 

[JeeExEll]

I like that 'vanne. Check out the sales display in that travel-shop window.

 

I could be wrong but I think Hotpoint-brown was a darker brown for their vans. That sort of early 80s plasticky dark brown still seen today on some vintage cooker-hoods and double-glazing surrounds.

[kinkersaab]

I have already commented on this thread. but i feel i need to again.  I LOVE this van.  I will be eagerly awaiting updates and a for sale thread. 

[tooSavvy]

Fuck, sounds like Viz is real.

TS

[flat4alfa]

Around 1980/81 he was allocated an Ital van in the new early-80s Hotpoint-livery chocolate-brown and beige!

I've had a quick look on t'net for period Hotpoint van livery pics and not found any yet.

 

 

[greengartside]

Royal Mail it.....

 

 

That van used to deliver my post back in the 1980's! It was 'stationed' at my local P.O.

[flat4alfa]

If you did paint it red (or black even), Trig, then ideal* opportunity to fit that set of Rover BRM leather rent boy seats you've always wanted.

 

 

Well, ok.  What I've always wanted.

[flat4alfa]

I've been offered a set of MGB Rostyles with good tyres and chrome trims for £100 but I don't think they will suit it.

 

 

Yes, too Seventies - needs a proper Marina. 

 

Ital does not have the extra brightwork to carry it off.  Ital is all SinclairResearch-esque black plastics

[Zantimisfit]

 

Yes, too Seventies - needs a proper Marina. 

 

Ital does not have the extra brightwork to carry it off.  Ital is all SinclairResearch-esque black plastics

 

We're trying to find somewhere to rent in UK over Xmas - this would do for me!

[flat4alfa]

Found one of your yearning postings from 7 years ago

 

http://autoshite.com/topic/5038-that-marina-van/?p=128728

 

Destiny.

 

 

I reckon Superlites would be more fitting on an Ital.  Because Eighties cusp.

 

[HMC]

Ital design alloys for an ital?

They're a bit too 80s and no doubt not made in a suitable fitment spec.;