The Morris Marina, launched in 1971, was a rear-wheel drive car, designed to supplement the front-wheel drive Austin cars. In 1980, after more than 1.1 million Marinas had been produced, it gained a face-lift and re‐emerged as the Ital, named after the studio employed for the restyle - Ital Design.

Ital was replaced in 1983 by the Austin Montego, although van and pick-up models continued to 1984. Total Ital production was around the 170,000 mark.

This car is the last Ital and the last car to carry the Morris badge. The end of the Ital model range marked the disappearance of the Morris name on cars, after sixty years in production and a very distinguished history.