A overview of The Marcos Sports activities Automotive, masking growth, vital options, and technical information of every mannequin within the vary, from the GT1800 to the Mantaray.
On this Article, I supply a nostalgic take a look at the Marcos Sports activities Automotive, one in all an elite group of basic vehicles, which was manufactured throughout the interval 1964 to 1998.
Marcos was based in North Wales in 1959.
The primary sports activities automotive, referred to as the Xylon, had gullwing doorways, a excessive roof, and a break up windscreen.
It was given the nickname “Ugly Duckling”, and was powered by Ford 1 litre and 1.2 litre engines.
Focused at competitors occasions, solely 9 have been constructed between 1959 and 1960. Manufacturing fashions have been constructed as much as 1963.
It achieved racing success when pushed by Jackie Stewart, and others.
In 1961, there have been design adjustments to the unique automotive, making it sleeker and extra enticing.
The plywood chassis and gullwing doorways have been stored, and the automotive was now renamed the Marcos Luton Gullwing sports activities automotive.
A complete of 13 have been constructed. It was principally used for racing.
A convertible model, generally known as the Spyder, was launched with the gullwing doorways eliminated.
The Marcos GT 1800
In 1964, the Marcos GT 1800 sports activities automotive made its debut on the London Racing Automotive Present.
Introduced as a highway automotive, it was nicely acquired. It retained a wood chassis, which was encased in a glass fibre shell.
It initially used a 1.8 litre, 4-cylinder, Volvo engine. Nonetheless, in 1966, this was changed by a variety of Ford engines, from 1.5 to 1.65 litres. Lastly, in 1969, a Ford V4 unit was used.
In 1969, the plywood chassis was changed with one made from metal.
This allowed extra highly effective engines for use, resembling the three litre, Ford V6, or the three litre, Volvo straight 6-cylinder.
Vehicles exported to the US used the Volvo engine to cowl exhaust emission rules.
The Mini Marcos
In 1965, the Mini Marcos was launched.
It had a glass fibre physique, and used the sub body and A-Sequence transverse engine from the Mini to provide an reasonably priced sports activities automotive.
It was profitable on the race circuits, and was the only real British entry to complete the 1966 Le Mans race. It was offered as each a manufacturing and equipment automotive.
The Marcos Mantis
In 1968, the Marcos Mantis XP was launched. It was, in truth, a racing automotive powered by a mid engine BRM V8. Just one automotive was made.
In 1970, the Marcos Mantis M70 was launched.
It was a 2+2 sports activities automotive powered by a 2.5 litre, gasoline injected, 6-cylinder, Triumph TR6 engine.
The luxurious inside seated 4 in consolation.
Marcos Submit Receivership
Marcos went into receivership in 1972.
In 1981, Marcos re-emerged from receivership.
The Marcos 1800 GT, from 1964, was marketed in equipment type.
A variety of engines was obtainable, together with the Ford 3 litre V6, 2.8 litre V6 and a couple of litre V4, in addition to the Triumph 2 litre, and a couple of.5 litre, straight six.
As much as 1989, there have been about 130 kits offered.
The Marcos Mantula
In 1983, the Marcos Mantula was launched.
It was primarily based on the Marcos 1800 GT from 1964, however with a physique desighed to be extra aerodynamic.
It was powered by the extra highly effective and lighter Rover 3.5 litre V8 engine.
Its mild weight made it a match for different Rover V8 powered vehicles, such because the TVR and Morgan.
Later Mantulas have been powered by the Rover 3.9 litre engine.
In 1986, a convertible model, referred to as the Marcos Spyder, was launched, powered by the Rover 3.5 litre V8 engine.
It might finally outsell the coupe variations. Some 170 coupes and 119 Spyders have been constructed.
The Marcos Martina
In 1991, the Marcos Martina was launched.
Trying similar to the Mantula, it was a decrease value model, and used the Ford Cortina, 2 litre, 4-cylinder engine. Practically all have been equipment vehicles.
Some 80 Martinas have been constructed.
The Marcos Mantara
In 1992, Marcos determined to depart the equipment automotive market.
That very same yr, the Marcos Mantara was launched.
It was powered by a 3.9 litre, Rover V8 engine, though a 4.6 litre unit was supplied as an choice.
There was little distinction between the Mantara and Mantula.
With the return of Marcos to GT racing, a variety of modified Mantaras was produced as LM (Le Mans) variations, together with:
- LM400 – utilizing a Rover 3.9 litre engine
- Lm500 – utilizing a Rover 5 litre engine
- LM600 – utilizing a Chevrolet 6 litre engine
Street going LM vehicles constructed numbered about 30.
The Marcos Mantis
In 1997, the Marcos Mantis was launched.
It was supplied as a two seat convertible, and a set head coupe primarily based on the LM sequence of Mantaras.
The Mantis was powered by the 4 cam, V8, Ford Cobra engine, creating 370 bhp.
In 1999, a 500 bhp supercharged model grew to become obtainable 토토사이트.
The Marcos GTS, a model of the Mantis, launched in 1997, was powered by a 2 litre, Rover engine.
Another model of the GTS was the Marcos GTS Turbo, of which just one was in-built 1997.
The Marcos Mantaray
In 1998, the Marcos GTS was additional developed to provide the Marcos Mantaray.
It was powered by one in all three Rover choices: 2 litre, and 4 litre or 4.6 litre V8 models. Solely 17 have been ever constructed.
This marked the tip of the basic Marcos sports activities automotive.
Past 2000, Marcos produced quite a few thrilling sports activities vehicles which, sadly, falls past the time-frame of this overview.
Maybe this stroll down reminiscence lane might need answered, or at the least make clear, a doable query:
“Which Marcos Sports activities Automotive Is Your Favorite?”
Nonetheless, ought to this query nonetheless stay unanswered, I can be reviewing, in some element, in future articles inside this web site, your complete vary of Marcos sports activities vehicles which have been featured within the memorable period spanning 1964 to 1998.
I hope you be a part of me in my nostalgic travels “down sports activities automotive reminiscence lane”.