| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1978 |
| Production Years: | 1978 - 1980 discontinued in 1980 |
The Morris Marina III, produced from 1978 to 1980, represents the final iteration of the iconic British mid-size sedan line introduced by Morris. Designed as a straightforward and practical family car, the Marina III built upon its predecessors by maintaining a familiar boxy sedan profile that was popular in the late 1970s. The vehicle's dimensions offered a balanced blend of interior space and maneuverability suitable for both urban and suburban driving. Typically, the Marina III featured approximate exterior length and width dimensions measured around 4,290 mm (168.9 inches) in length and 1,615 mm (63.6 inches) in width, providing adequate passenger space for up to five occupants. Its height usually stood near 1,400 mm (55.1 inches), contributing to a stable driving stance. Performance-wise, while the Marina III did not emphasize sportiness or luxury, it was appreciated for its solid build quality and ease of maintenance, embodying the utilitarian ethos of British car manufacturing during that era. The sedan body style continued to appeal to buyers seeking practicality over advanced styling or cutting-edge technology. Overall, the Morris Marina III remains a noteworthy example of late 1970s British automotive design, representing the closing chapter in the Marina series before the marque transitioned to newer models in the 1980s.
Discover the standout features that make the 1978 Morris Marina III a leader in its class
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The 1978-1980 Morris Marina III sedan has a length of approximately 4,323 mm (170.2 inches), a width of around 1,615 mm (63.6 inches), and a height close to 1,395 mm (54.9 inches). These dimensions make it a compact family car ideal for everyday use, providing a balance between maneuverability and interior space for passengers.
The Morris Marina III weighs roughly 1,000 kg to 1,100 kg (2,204 to 2,425 lbs), depending on the specific trim and equipment. This moderate weight contributes to stable handling and adequate road grip, but it still offers a comfortable and manageable driving experience typical of sedans from its era.
The Morris Marina III provides a comfortable interior space for a compact sedan of its class and time. Its design accommodates five passengers with reasonable legroom and headroom, making it practical for family use and daily commuting. The relatively boxy design helped maximize useful interior space without increasing external dimensions significantly.
Yes, the Morris Marina III fits comfortably into a standard garage. Given its length of about 4.3 meters and width of 1.6 meters, it aligns well with typical garage internal dimensions, which are often around 5.5 to 6 meters in length and about 2.5 to 3 meters in width. This makes parking and storage of the Marina III convenient in suburban or urban home garages.
The Morris Marina III retained similar overall size characteristics compared to the earlier Marina I and II versions, with no significant increases in length, width, or height. Its dimensions stayed mostly consistent around 4.3 meters in length and 1.6 meters in width, focusing more on mechanical and trim upgrades rather than altering the car's external footprint.
The trunk capacity of the Morris Marina III is fairly typical for a compact sedan of its era, offering an estimated volume of about 400 to 450 liters (14.1 to 15.9 cubic feet). This capacity provides ample storage space for daily errands, grocery shopping, or weekend luggage, making it practical for families or individuals needing modest cargo space.
Compared to contemporary competitors like the Ford Cortina or Vauxhall Cavalier of the late 1970s, the Morris Marina III was similar in overall dimensions—being in the compact family car segment. It was slightly smaller in width than some rivals but matched on length and height, making it competitive in terms of driver maneuverability and urban usability while offering comparable passenger space.
The Morris Marina III is a four-door sedan, a popular body style designed to accommodate families and daily commuting needs. Its conventional three-box design emphasizes functional passenger space with a separate trunk, reflecting the expectations from a British compact family car during the late 1970s production years.
The Morris Marina III typically came with a range of inline four-cylinder petrol engines, often between 1.3 and 1.8 liters. Fuel economy was competitive for the time, with average consumption roughly in the range of 8 to 10 liters per 100 kilometers (around 23.5 to 28 miles per gallon). This made it an economical option for drivers balancing performance with fuel costs.
The Marina III generation focused more on refining reliability, updating trim features, and minor mechanical improvements over its predecessors. These enhancements improved ride comfort and operational smoothness slightly, making it more pleasant for daily driving. While the exterior size and layout remained similar, the cumulative improvements resulted in a marginally more refined driving experience than the earlier Marina I and II.
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