Welcome to the official website of the Marlin Owners Club!

The Marlin Owners Club is a friendly Club where owners of Marlin-derived cars can get together, share advice and enjoy the company of like minded individuals. To find out more about the club, the cars and the activities, click on the links to the left.

The Club's Objectives

To promote and encourage the building, ownership and enjoyment of kit cars based upon the designs originated by Marlin Engineering, Plymouth.

To encourage the improvement of the standard of kit car construction by providing facilities for the exchange if news and technical information between the members and between the Club and those companies manufacturing kits based upon the designs originated by Marlin Engineering, Plymouth.

To represent and safeguard the interests of the members at kit car events and other venues, committee meetings, etc, as appropriate.

History of the Marlin Owners Club

The Marlin Owner's Club was formally established in 1981 with a membership of 80.The members were people sharing an enthusiasm for the Triumph based, 2-seater Marlin Roadster (now referred to as Mark I cars). In 1983/84, the Marina based Roadster appeared (the Mark II) as well as a few hybrid cars (Triumph front suspension, Marina back end) and membership grew steadily. With the membership now approaching 400 people, in 1988 a full committee of seven members was set up and a club constitution agreed. Soon the membership was up to 500 and the club was being recognised as one of the UK's leading owners clubs.

The Owners Club welcomes owners of any Marlin and YKC cars and maintains cordial relationships with both production companies. Membership currently stands at about 700.

History of the Marlin

The Marlin story really began with the Roadster, a traditionally-styled open two-seater built as a "one-off" by Paul Moorhouse, then a talented engineer working for Rolls Royce. When Paul first went public with the Alfa Romeo inspired Marlin in 1979, the prototype (566 URR, see photo gallery), had served 5 years as Paul's every day regular transport.

The car was very light and cleverly designed to maximise the use of running gear from any Herald, Vitesse, Spitfire, GT6 or even Bond Equipe it featured an innovative roll-over bar integrated with the windscreen frame but was mated to a purpose built chassis. This chassis even catered for the Rotoflex rear suspension from later Vitesse's and GT6's by virtue of additional drillings in the chassis box sections. This was in contrast to other kit cars of the time such as Gentry and Spartan, which retained the donor's usually rusty chassis.

The first chassis was laid down on 1st July 1979 and sold to a Simon Lister for the princely sum of £655 inc VAT. Generically known as Mark 1's, the all Triumph based cars had subtle changes in body and chassis design from the prototype. According to Paul Moorhouse's notebook of the time, the generic Mark 1 all Triumph kit was divided somewhat confusingly, into three types listed as:

MK 1's - Chassis numbers 1001 to 1033*
Mk 2's - Chassis numbers 1034 to 1057
MK 3's - Chassis numbers 1058 to 1285

*Doors were an option from quite early on and don't give an indication of age as some late cars had none.

The last Triumph based car (chassis 1285) was produced in June 1983, by which time the MK II Marina based kit (2151 onwards) was well into production. Of the 236 all Triumph kits produced approximately 127 are known to have been put on the road. Information on some of these cars is very sketchy indeed and doesn't allow for re-registration of more than a couple of cars.

The Triumph front suspension was always well regarded by engineers, so it was no surprise that Paul Moorhouse also built hybrid kits using Triumph front suspension and Marina rear axle and suspension. However, it is not possible to pick these cars out from the records as they use the MK II prefix along with the Marina based kits.

Over the years, various engines have been used from the original Triumph 4 and 6 cylinder engines, Ford Kent and Pinto engines, various Italian twin cams and even the Rover V8. This all made for varied and exciting motoring and was a particular favourite with the trials brigade. Its weight-distribution and short wheelbase allowing it to travel over muddy lanes and rocky tracks better than less advanced designs.

Of those who had bought Roadsters originally, some now wanted more room for offspring and partners who also wanted to enjoy the fun of the Marlin. So 1985 saw the introduction of the Ford Cortina (later, Sierra) based Berlinetta 2+2. This came complete with previously unheard of luxuries such as wind-up windows, a lockable boot and a hardtop option. A touring car rather than a sports car, sales of the car were fewer than the Roadster, mainly due to the more limited market for such a car therefore in 1991, another design, the Cabrio emerged. Still very much a Marlin in looks, it sported more up to date mechanicals supplied by the Ford Sierra. This time, the car took all the fun of the Roadster but with more modern suspension and power. Inspired by Vanden Plas and featuring an advanced construction, this was the posh Roadster.

In 1993 the Roadster and Berlinetta models were sold to YKC Engineering in Yorkshire. YKC added the Romero, Raider, Mille Miglia, Julietta and Imola models to their line-up, which although bang up to date mechanically (and SVA compliant) retain many styling features familiar to Roadster owners.

Later, Marlin was bought by Terry and Mark Matthews who, as the new owners of the Marlin marque, introduced the Hunter. Using the Cabrio as its base, the Hunter was a factory built car featuring a high quality of assembly but allowed customers to request features to make their chosen Hunter unique.

In 1997, in response to a demand for the Lotus 7 mould, Marlin added the Sportster model to their range. With more room inside, good weather equipment, doors and boot space, the Sportster was welcomed and continues to be in high demand as a kit car.

In 2002, to mark their 20 year history of car manufacture, Marlin developed the impressive limited edition BMW based Makaira.

2004 showed yet another Marlin design, the Kool Kars 5EXi. Designed around the Rover K-Series engine/gearbox unit, this car offers a low-cost, easy-build with modern styling and practical features that make it great fun to drive. Sales of the kit have taken off and a Racing Club has been formed for owners of the later and current versions of Marlin cars.

In 2006 Don Burt of YKC retired and sold the car ranges to Aquila Sports Cars Ltd. Run by Milan Mladenovic, Aquila cars launched the Julietta S model at Stoneleigh 2006 and continue to develop the cars.

Also in 2006, Marlin cars sold the rights to the Cabrio to Javelin Cars, who are closely working with Marlin to develop the Mk 3 Cabrio which uses the BMW 3-series E30 model as the donor car. The Sierra based Cabrio also continues to be available through Javelin Cars.

NB. Ben Caswell, MOC Triumph Tech rep, is collating information on the Triumph based cars, so if you have any new or old information or pictures, he would be only too pleased to hear from you on 01322 553354 or b.caswell(at)virgin(dot)net.