Who's for Marina

Sir,
Are you really so surprised at the conventionality of the latest People’s Car as your virulent May editorial indicates? Haven’t you noticed the indifference of the majority in such matters? The Marina is aimed at Mr. Average Motorist, the man who gets into his car, turns the key, listens with a sense of wonder as the engine starts, switches off his mind, and sets off. What does he care whether the engine’s in front of him or behind, transverse or fore-and-aft, whether the suspension derives from Moulton or the horse-and-cart?

His decision to buy a particular model in a particular price-range is brought about by its comfort, its ease of driving, and his wife’s approval of its styling and colour. This is the nature of the market, and of course Lord Stokes aims for it; should he he scolded for being a patriotic businessman? By all means try to enlighten Mr. Average, and perhaps one day the Great Motor Sport Dream of the People’s Mid-Engined coupé, magically endowed with room for children and shopping, will come about; but don’t knock the realism of today’s manufacturers.

R.S. Whelan.
Wexham.