The story behind it is a bloody novel!

I remember the Ital being launched - much hoo-ha was made of 'Ital' design - even as a 10 / 11 year old I could tell it was a Marina with lipstick. Used to collect car brochures then and can remember a friend having the Ital one.

My grandfather had a 'T' reg Marina - worst car I have ever driven - vague doesn't even begin to describe the steering. It was a brown coupe with tan vinyl seats.

Found this on youtube - I remember it originally being broadcast (seems like yesterday!) -

That's a Maserati Merak outside the garage.

My Dad and I did an engine overhaul on one of those in 1987. Always remember being dropped off at school for the weeks after that :love:

We had a brand new one on a W plate. A complete POS in every respect. It had to be resprayed as you could see the metal through the paint (that's how it came from the factory), it also used oil at a phenominal rate for a new car (BL said they wouldn't consider warranty job unless it was using >= a pint every 1500 miles! )

Handling was appalling, and it was utterly useless in the snow we had that winter.

My dad only kept it until the warranty ran out and then traded it in pronto.

Just to prove what a sad case I am, I can even remember the number plate!!! VYB 651W