{"id":225822,"date":"2026-01-09T23:41:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T23:41:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/225822\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T23:41:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T23:41:07","slug":"joy-ride-our-tribute-to-kiwi-classic-cars-mark-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/225822\/","title":{"rendered":"Joy ride: Our tribute to Kiwi classic cars, Mark II"},"content":{"rendered":"

Concluding our series on Kiwis with a passion for older cars, Andrew Kerr talks to an owner who can\u2019t drive his beloved Morris Marina, and seeks the verdict of an Alfa Romeo-owning architect. To read Part I, go here.<\/a><\/p>\n

The Sporty Number<\/p>\n

\n 1972 Morris Marina TC
\n Coup\u00e9\n <\/p>\n

Gordon Georgel might never have considered buying a Marina had his father Allan not sold them for a Morris dealership in the 1970s. Allan Georgel\u2019s years in the Invercargill car trade led his son to become a serial buyer of what some regard as one of the 10 worst cars of all time. Most damning were the larrikin presenters of TV car show Top Gear, who heartlessly destroyed them for fun.<\/p>\n

Hats off to Gordon Georgel for helping reverse the Morris Marina\u2019s route to extinction by not just buying the things but also carefully restoring them. What makes this scenario even more unlikely is that Georgel, now 62, stopped driving more than 30 years ago and has been completely blind since 1999.<\/p>\n

Sharp pricing and sound practicality meant Marinas enjoyed solid popularity throughout New Zealand from the early 1970s. Georgel, who still lives in Invercargill, recalls his father\u2019s penchant for adding stripes to cars to lift their appearance when he later became used car manager at Motorcorp (NZMC) Invercargill. That\u2019s where Georgel bought his first Marina \u2013 a tidy 11-year-old TC Coup\u00e9 that the dealership accepted as a trade. \u201cBecause it was a year older than what they stocked on the yard, Dad offered it to me,\u201d he recalls.<\/p>\n

Think of the Marina Coup\u00e9 as a lukewarm response to the excellent Ford Capri: a hastily concocted, mediocre version topped with a mild sauce and sprig of parsley. Unmoved by automotive fashion and fuelled by a southern man\u2019s common sense, Georgel ran the tan two-door throughout the glitziest years of the 1980s, although whether that glitz filtered down to the Deep South is debatable.<\/p>\n

\"TrueTrue colours: Georgel\u2019s Marina has a new coat of Arianca Tan paint. Bottom right, the model\u2019s signature wood-rimmed steering wheel. Photos \/ Supplied<\/p>\n

Fast-forward 40 years and Georgel\u2019s current Marina Mk1 Coup\u00e9 is virtually identical to the one his dad sourced. GD1398 was also registered in 1972 and sports the same Arianca Tan paint, parchment vinyl interior and wood-rimmed steering wheel. Like all Marina Coup\u00e9s sold here, it was assembled in Australia. <\/p>\n

\u201cA lifelong friend spotted a tidy example at an auction in 2009 and convinced me to buy it. I paid 10% more than my self-imposed limit. But it was a genuine one-lady-owner car that had always resided at a house on the Mt Wellington Highway in Auckland. And it was delivered new in August 1972, the same month Dad began selling new Marinas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Being a TC variant means the 1748cc E-series engine has twin carburettors and is good for 67kW (90hp). What\u2019s more, those oversized rear side windows (a result of the coup\u00e9 having regular-sized doors rather than longer, bespoke doors) have stainless trim and they open out. On lesser versions, they are fixed.<\/p>\n

Before losing his sight as a consequence of multiple sclerosis, Georgel worked in automotive parts sales throughout the 1980s and 90s. He says he knows his way around the cars despite not having formal mechanical training, and his fingers are more than adept at fault-finding and fixing. <\/p>\n

When it comes to discussing Marinas, Georgel initially plays it quite cool, expressing moderate enthusiasm as he plumbs a deep well of knowledge. But after some hours on the phone, it\u2019s clear his interest is not prone to fatigue. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe centenary of the Morris marque in 2013 gave me the impetus to restore the coup\u00e9 over a 10-month period. I stripped it down by myself and stored the parts in various bins, cupboards and wardrobes throughout my workshop, garage and home. Only the running gear and dash were left in. I sent the body off to a panelbeater from the old school \u2013 a true master of his craft. Then it went to the painter to receive a fresh coat of Arianca Tan.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy first Marina Coup\u00e9 died about 30 years ago and that became a donor car to a small extent. It had been repainted red when I found it at the local wreckers. I managed to salvage strips of stainless-steel window trim and its TC badging.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even though he had to give up driving, Georgel says he still appreciates a Marina that will round a bend when pointed at one, so he went to great lengths to improve the ride and handling of his coup\u00e9. \u201cI admit that the ride around town is now a little harsh with my suspension upgrades but they do transform the car on the open road.\u201d<\/p>\n

Friends helped him complete the project on the eve of his 50th birthday, and guide dog Maddox appeared as relieved as anyone when the car was finished. Restoration costs had spiralled, as they invariably do; Georgel reckons the car owes him about $20,000.<\/p>\n

\"EmotionalEmotional attachment: Gordon Georgel and guide dog Maddox. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n

Work is never done<\/p>\n

In the 16 years of Georgel\u2019s ownership, the Marina has travelled only 6000km \u2013 all in the hands of other drivers. A few things remain on the to-do list: \u201cI\u2019m currently reconditioning the front brake callipers and need to fit a new seal kit to the brake master cylinder. Oh, and I want to make an adjustment to the front left suspension. Other than that, I just need to sort out a stone chip beside a headlight and make a repair to the front carpet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Further evidence of Georgel\u2019s skill in dismantling a car can be found in his workshop, where a Marina 575 pickup awaits reassembly. Its gleaming body has recently returned from the paint shop. This Marina carries even more of an emotional attachment as it was a car his late father sold new in 1980, soon after he transferred to Motorcorp following the decline of Morris dealer Watts & Grieve. Georgel got wind of the pickup in Winton 10 years ago and has owned it for nine. He expects to have it back on the road this year. <\/p>\n

Better than new<\/p>\n

His mates are serious when they insist Georgel\u2019s Marinas will be better assembled than many of the cars that rolled out of Morris factories. Mint examples are now scarce and unlikely to form the butts of jokes outside of Jeremy Clarkson\u2019s circle. In fact, Georgel relates how his coup\u00e9 attracted the attention of two young women at a car show in Riverton: \u201cI was sitting in the TC and I heard one girl ask another if she knew what my car was. The friend replied that she thought it was a Ford Capri. I thought, \u2018Yes, that\u2019s a win!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Ever the realist, our winner willingly cites the Marina\u2019s many shortcomings, suggesting a poor reputation is justified. \u201cMarinas simply don\u2019t handle well and the coup\u00e9s are possibly even more agricultural. They are brilliant for demonstrating prodigious understeer. And Dad advised me to pack bags of river sand at each corner behind the tail lights to settle the rear. Also, the gearshift lacks definition and the throw from first to second is painfully slow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"B\u2019ute:B\u2019ute: Georgel\u2019s Marina 575 pickup, sold new by his father in 1980, is now back in the family. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n

On a brighter note, he describes the rack and pinion steering as \u201cquite positive\u201d, but promptly qualifies the compliment: \u201cIt\u2019s positive, but it can\u2019t cure all that understeer.\u201d<\/p>\n

After learning that Georgel pulled a rotten Marina out of a paddock in 2020 (\u201cI paid a Southland farmer $40 and that gave me the coup\u00e9 treble\u201d), I took a very deep breath before enquiring whether anything else was on his wish list. \u201cI did get a little excited by news of a six-cylinder Marina in Temuka some years back,\u201d he admits, \u201cbut it just vanished when I started making enquiries.\u201d Probably just as well \u2013 Georgel has plenty on his plate with the pickup reassembly and says he doesn\u2019t have the space or funds for another large project. Plus, his MS means his mobility continues to decline.<\/p>\n

Could he ever part with his coup\u00e9? \u201cIf I could achieve five figures, I would certainly consider selling it. It\u2019s outside under a car cover while the pickup parts are spread throughout the workshop and garage.\u201d<\/p>\n

There is one thing he would like to tweak regarding the Marina\u2019s backstory. \u201cIf there\u2019s one small regret, it\u2019s that I didn\u2019t make more of an effort to track down my coup\u00e9\u2019s original owner, especially after I restored the car. I\u2019ve since learnt that Mrs Greenhalgh lived until the age of 97. I think she would have liked to know that her Marina has been given a new lease on life by a blind car nut.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"KenKen Crosson has owned his 1973 Alfa Romeo Spider for about 25 years. Photo \/ Andrew Kerr<\/p>\n

The design perspective<\/p>\n

Architect Ken Crosson runs a trained eye over our selection of \u2018classic\u2019 cars. <\/p>\n

Ken Crosson is a lauded architect and creative director at Auckland\u2019s Crosson Architects. He may also be a familiar face to viewers of the 2016 TVNZ documentary series The New Zealand Home and, more recently, New Zealand\u2019s Best Homes with Phil Spencer<\/a>. Despite his commitments, he is very obliging when it comes to squeezing in a car chat.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s no secret that his stable boasts several modes of Italian transport, from a Vespa to an open-air Maserati. In summer, you might also spot him peddling his 1973 Alfa Romeo Spider, designed by legendary design company Pininfarina. What does he make of the Morris Marina?<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, I respect the coup\u00e9\u2019s quirkiness and character. There\u2019s a certain thriftiness in the design and they look to have made good use of standard parts. It\u2019s slightly elongated and a bit bulgy. A mother could love it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Enough said. And the Vauxhall Chevette sedan featured here<\/a> \u2013 is it an aesthetically pleasing solution? <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the shape is not very engaging from the side but I do like the chiselled front end. It expresses lots of character, especially with those distinctive, deeply indented headlights. And the lack of grille makes it look like a precursor to modern EV design.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crosson has previously owned a 1980s BMW 3-series, a straight-six version with manual gearshift \u2013 \u201cThere\u2019s only one way.\u201d So he must be a fan? \u201cI was seduced by the German engineering, the performance and the refinement of what is now a compact classic. I guess I went along for the ride. My ownership was satisfying but short-lived. I actually find the design quite sedate and soon yearned for something quirkier.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for the Kingswood \u2013 the quintessential Aussie family car of the 1970s \u2013 he gives it a thumbs-up. \u201cI just love it and [the 1982 ute featured in Joy ride Mark I<\/a>] is not pretending to be anything other than a utility. It\u2019s raw and it\u2019s honest. Perhaps the ute\u2019s overall design is a bit unbalanced but I like the formality up front with the big grille and headlights. It\u2019s kind of American in that respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Kingswood nameplate rekindles memories of Crosson\u2019s childhood on a farm outside Methven with Mt Hutt as a backdrop. \u201cA 1972 Holden Kingswood wagon was our family car. I was one of six kids crammed in the bench seats and I remember the advert describing the HQ as \u2018the most changed Holden in the history of Holden\u2019. We then had a Premier wagon with the same nose treatment as George [Evangelidakis]\u2019s ute.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the fond memories, it\u2019s safe to say none of the quartet of cars we\u2019ve featured would make a Crosson wish list. He seems intent on steering the conversation back to Alfas. Not new ones, though, because he doesn\u2019t buy new cars and is not interested in SUVs.<\/p>\n

His 50-year-old Spider instantly appeals as a classy Italian classic for a fraction of Ferrari money, a fun plaything with nice patina. It\u2019s a Series 2 \u201cCoda Tronca\u201d or Kamm tail, with a cut-off rear. With rear-drive and a two-litre twin-cam, it could be a frisky charge, no?<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve owned it for about 25 years and, for many of them, it was perfect. But I don\u2019t drive it a lot and it\u2019s been a bit of a mixed bag lately. There are compensations, of course, especially the design, which exudes a simple elegance with some curves. There\u2019s a pleasing softness to it.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood automotive design,\u201d he concludes, \u201cis where art meets engineering, meaning a car is fit for purpose, performs well and looks good. I prefer Italian cars for their flamboyance and dynamism.\u201d <\/p>\n

Andrew Kerr is an Auckland-based motoring writer, photographer and road safety advocate.<\/p>\n

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