1976 Leyland Marina review from Australia and New Zealand

Rear Engine / Gearbox mount collapsed when hit by a big goolie.

Electric fuel pump failed, roadside repair.

Wonderfully contradictory car. Lots of space, and heaps of power. The 2.6 litre single ohc engine in this Aussie assembled car was a wonderful engine, lots of low down torque and good high rev performance (same as 6cyl P76). Mated as it was to a three speed BW manual (three on the floor) it only needed two gears.

I drove several times from coast to coast in the South Island of NZ in top gear all the way, enough torque in top gear to do this with only a couple corners requiring silly speeds. Maxed at 190 on th clock, but anything over 140 was an experience in a wind, or if the road bent.

Horrible understeer and body roll were compensated by installing passenger grab handles.

Big boot so could always fit another crate of beer in the boot.