Judging by the fuss the Morris Marina Owners Club made when Top Gear set fire to one example and dropped a piano on another - I think I'm going to have to be careful what I say about this. Of course this isn't actually a Marina at all, but in fact an Ital. The van was photographed in Valetta, Malta, last week - where I took the girlfriend for a romantic New Year break. (At least she thought it was going to be a romantic break - not realising I would be spending most of my time ignoring her in favour of photographing the numerous interesting cars, vans, trucks and buses that trundle through the streets).
While she's used to my passion for clapped-out old vehicles - the owner of this Ital was not. He really struggled to understand why I was taking the photo. I explained to him that Ital vans have long since disappeared from Britain's roads - to which he replied 'good'!
I'm guessing that it used to be a British Telecom van (as most of them were) - but that doesn't explain the unusual paintwork. I'm not sure why they've decided to paint all the black bits yellow, and all the yellow bits black.
Difficult to be absolutely sure from the pic but looks like your BT Ital is fitted with alloy wheels too. I certainly dont remember that being a "reliable and dedicated BT man in a van" Cowley-and-Longbridge "Red Robbo" period optional extra either......Go Faster wasnt exactly the company motto was it. Mind you, nor was bomber jacket-shod Mr Robinsons rallying call at the factory gate, unless Go On Strike Faster was what they meant? My flat mate at tech college had an 1800cc (wasnt it the 5 bearing crank option?) B Series-engined Marina saloon which went OK downhill - we helped him out by borrowing it one dark and stormy night in the early '80's and hanging it in a tree on the way home after a reasonable night out.
BLB
That paint job on the Ital may just be original,if my fading memory serves me right,does it not resemble a Forestry Commission paint job.
The Boss
I'd go for the Forestry Commission to Will...
Still making these little shockers here in China!!