| Dave's Marlin Berlinetta Web Page |
The picture above was taken at Brooklands in September 1993. |
| A Brief History |
| The Berlinetta was designed byPaul Moorhouse, a engineer who searved his apprentaship at Rolls Royce Derby. It was a 2+2 Grand Tourer, not just a stretched version of the popular Triumph or Marina based Marlin Roadster. |
| The all new Berlinetta was based on the easily available Ford Cortina Mark III, IV or V axles and engine. This gave the builder a wide choice of engine options from Ford including the 2.8 or 3 litre V6's, or you could specify the option of the Rover V8. The most popular choice, probably due to its availability is the Ford Pinto 2 Litre OHC. |
| The basis of the car is an immensely strong 80 x 80 x 3 mm steel box section chassis, the windscreen frame, which acts as a rollover bar, is HE30 aluminium alloy. the doors are formed from 2 mm aluminium sheet with argon welded window frames. The bonnet is in four pieces of 16 gauge aluminium, hinged together the two sides being louvered. There is a usable boot, 5 cubic feet, beneath which is mounted the fuel tank, framed by the chassis affording it good crash protection. Front radiator, foot boards, wheel arches and boot mouldings are all GRP. The Berlinetta can de fitted with a GRP Hardtop or a Softtop, which can be interchanged winter to summer as to the whim of the owner. |
| The early 90's saw the Sierra based Berlinetta, these where few in number, I believe around 12 where made. |
| Manufacture of the Berlinetta moved to Yorkshire Kit Cars as Paul Moorhouse moved in to the midget submarine buisness. The Marlin Company chaged hands and they now concentrate on building and selling a Sierra based Cabrio. |
| Where to see Marlins in 1999 |
| The National Kit Car Motor Show | Stoneleigh | May 2nd & 3rd |
| The Great Yorkshire Kit Car Show | Harrogate | May 30th & 31st |
| The National Kit Car Festival | Newark | June 19th & 20th |
| Contacts | |
| mailto:dave.hunt@tesco.net | If you have any comments please send them to me. |
| http://www.kit-cars.com | kit car magazine web site - well worth a visit. |
PAGE FIRST LAUNCHED - 1st MARCH 1999
LAST UPDATE - 1st MARCH 1999