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The Marina GT being prepared for a run on Targa Newfoundland is
owned by David Bishop of Sayville, NY. David is a long time British
car fan, having moved from Manchester in the UK, to Connecticut in
1974, settling in Newington. After college he went to work in the
Automobile industry and is still moving iron for a living, 25 years
later, for Nissan Motor Corporation, in the sales and marketing
staff in NY. But his first love is vintage cars, and lots of them!
David was one of the first 4 founding members of the CT MG Club, a
two term president of this organization, and is still a member
today. Other club affiliations are the Triumph Sports Six Club in
the UK, Long Island Triumph Club, and the British Saloon Club of
Canada. Beside the Marina, David currently runs a MGB, Triumph
Herald, and Fiat 128. Under restoration is a Triumph Spitfire, and
waiting in the wings is an Austin 1300.
The idea for running a vintage sedan in rally’s was concocted one
evening, (over a couple cold ones!), with long time friend Gary
Booker of GB Spares. Gary is a big Morris Minor fan, and that car
was the first choice, in fact one was purchased and almost ready to
go, when financial reality set in! As nice a car as a Minor is, in
standard form it needs significant development, (read money!), to be
a safe and reliable rally car. As rust free Minors are not cheap to
start with, the project was quickly running out of funds. Now the
Marina on the other had is still cheap, already has an MGB motor in
it, and is light, stiff, and strong. In fact British Leyland rallied
them with some success in the early seventies, before four wheel
drive started to dominate the sport. In fact, a Marina Coupe is
300lbs lighter, and 200% stiffer, than an MGB-GT. This Marina will
be prepared to roughly duplicate the color and livery scheme of
those cars. David was lucky to find this Marina in a warehouse in
Toledo, where it had stood for over 20 years, and was totally rust
free. The engine and transmission had been removed years ago, in an
aborted attempt to convert it into an electric car! Another car was
found in a field in southern NJ, complete but rusty, and is being
cannibalized as needed.
Several long time friends of both David and Gary are “sponsoring”
this vintage rally car, which will run several events and be
displayed at British car shows around the north east. The car will
be a rolling billboard for these companies that are providing a
helping hand. Those are;
Skip Harris, The Marina Man, Alexander, AR. Parts, technical and
moral support!
William Thomas Roadsters, Frenchtown, NJ. Chassis work and final
tuning.
Bill Mack Motorsport, Bristol, RI. Engine builder
John Esposito, Quantum Mechanics, Monroe, CT. Gearbox builder
Al Marceau, ABC British parts, Hartford, CT. Paint and body work,
roll cage, other safety devices.
Gordon Whatley, The Armchair Motorist, Acton, Ontario, Canada. Rally
support and service crew.
Chris Fielding, Delaware. Fellow Englishman who owns several
Marina’s, support and service crew. |
