Paul Moorhouse built a series of one-off cars for his own use before deciding to put one into production as a kit, and Marlin Engineering sold its first kits in Plymouth in 1979. The Roadster had a two-seat aluminium and glass-fibre body and was based on the Triumph Herald family, taking any of Triumph’s four- or six-cylinder engines. From 1981 the donor became the Morris Marina, although many builders fitted engines and axles of their own choice; with a two-litre Vitesse six a Roadster could reach 110 mph.
In 1983 Marlin added the Berlinetta, a 2+2 coupé on Ford Cortina and later Sierra parts, with wind-up windows and a lockable boot, for buyers who wanted room for a family. The 1991 Cabrio updated the Roadster on Sierra parts. The Roadster and Berlinetta were sold to Yorkshire Kit Cars in 1992, and in the mid-1990s the company itself passed to Terry and Mark Matthews, who introduced the factory-built Hunter.
Later models included the BMW-engined Sportster and the 5EXi, a modern mid-engined two-seater. Marlin bought Avatar Sports Cars in 2016, but ceased trading in May 2019. Kevin Richardson bought the company in April 2021.
