MARCOS
Marsh had a small tuning company Speedex Castings & Accessories ("Spideks Kastings Ekseseriz End") from Luton, and Costin was a renowned expert in aerodynamics, created in the 50s. cars like Vanwall ("Vanuoll"). The first few cars were distinguished by wonderful companions polunesuschim body frame made of plywood, fancy design and a large windshield, which consists of four parts. They collected them in Dolgellau, North Wales, where the family lived Kostin.
Marcos was decorated with the emblem of the late 50s. a kind of sports car
The company has continued to work after moving briefly to Llenberiz, then in 1961 Spideks in Luton, and in 1963 in Bradford-on-Avon. In 1964, Marcos began producing these road machines, the body which created the designer Adam Dennis (Dennis Adams).
By this time the company has left one of its founders - Frank Costin. At the head of Marcos began to march, Dennis Adams and financier Cavendish Greville (Greville Cavendish). Before the advent of high speed in 1970, but boring model Mantis ("Mantis"), the company has released two basic machines: 2-seater coupe with engines and transmissions production Ford ("Ford") and Volvo ("Volvo") and Mini-Marcos ("Mini-Marks") with a fiberglass body, which is in the form of an assembly kit buying low-income clients who trust second-hand running part of the Mini or Mini-Cooper ("Mini Cooper").
The company's founder Jem Marsh next to his most popular creations - model Mini-Marcos
In the absence of attractive Mini-Marcos had strong demand and makes a profit. In the future, right on its production was sold to Harold Dermott (Harold Dermott), which is refined and improved the car, calling it Midas (Midas ").
The steady expansion of production, improving the design of vehicles and the introduction of a new steel frame has allowed the company to enter the U.S. market, which led to a reassessment of its features. Moving to a new plant in Westbury, a disastrous beginning of the release model Mantis and the failure to obtain permission to sell cars with engines of Volvo in the U.S. in 1971 led to the bankruptcy of the company.
External managers sold the remnants of the company, but later Jem Marsh bought all technological equipment and the right to resume production. In the early 80s. He started producing cars in Westbury. Continuing the tradition of hand-built, the company Marcos in the late 90s. manufactured the model of the Mantis and its variant "LM", as well as the Mantaray ("Menterey") with engines based on engine Rover ("Rover") V8.
Marcos GT ("Marcos GT") 1960-1963
Marcos was the first model to sport is clearly a bad appearance. Dennis Adams tried to change the design of the coupe, but his work did not produce the expected results. The body of the first series of machines set up Frank Costin, who previously worked in the aviation industry and has participated in the creation bomber Mosquito ("Mosquito") of De Havilland ("De Havilland"). The appearance of the vehicle Marcos GT is largely determined by his previous experience and love for the sea-going vessels. Bearing element of the car has a wooden monocoque made of spruce and marine plywood. Outside him glued fiberglass body panels, so the car was very easy.
Marcos GT body style was created by Frank Costin under the influence of aircraft and ships. But even after the intervention of Dennis Adams look of the car caused a surprise
Plywood consists of three thin layers of veneer laid on each other fibers at right angles and connected by adhesive, resistant to water, microorganisms, steam and boiling water. Details of the frame are made of spruce wood, and its loaded with skin - plywood birch or mahogany thickness 1.5-3.0 mm.
Used for gluing wooden parts of the complex did not require clamping devices, and to attach fiberglass parts used a special glue. As a result, finished body weighed only 66 kg, and the car - 458 kg. Very high rigidity body gave high thresholds of triangular cross section, due to which the car door opened up ("gull wing"). Price this - close shop and not very comfortable in and out of the car.
Components and assemblies for the Marcos GT bought on the side, in particular the engine - a Ford, and front suspension - a Triumph ("Triumph") on the model Herald ("Herald"). The rear axle had a lever guides and coil springs. For three years the company has collected 29 cars, each should be distinguished from the previous one. Constantly changing and appearance, although the wooden base remained the same. Attempts were successful participation in motor racing. A trial experiment ended in 1964 when it was the turn of cars with engine Volvo.
Marcos GT is one of the few cars with opening up the doors
Characterization
Engine: P4, the overhead
Bore and Stroke: 81x48 mm
Displacement: 997 cm3
Maximum power: 39 hp
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Chassis: the spatial wooden frame
Suspension: the helical springs, front independent, rear axle
Brakes: drum
Body: 2-seater coupe
Maximum speed: 145 km / h
Marcos in 1800 and 3-litre ("Markoc 1800" and "3 liter") 1964-1971
Sport Coupe, with which the company has earned a reputation Marcos, was first shown at an exhibition race cars in 1964 and updated constantly modernized, it formed the basis of the production program the company for the next 30 years.
As the first car Marcos, the new model has a complex wood framing, which were glued fiberglass body parts. The very body was a long, low and attractive, with a pointed front part and four headlights. Motor selection was a surprise. The company has stopped on the four-cylinder engine Volvo, which has already been used in the sport coupe "1800S" and other family cars from this company.
Marcos 2-litre 1971 looks a little different from the first car model in 1964
The first batch of 50 vehicles received an independent rear suspension, but it soon became apparent inconsistency due to rapid tire wear and unpredictable of the rear wheels. Therefore, it replaced the drive axle production Ford, and most of the remaining vehicles with independent suspension equipped with them later.
Like most small car manufacturers, the model of Marcos in 1800 was similar sophistication in her cabin was noisy, lacked the capacity of the ventilation system and thoroughness in the elaboration of decoration. However, claims from the customer was not because they are more than staged performance cars and nature.
Once the model has been recognized, the company released a number of options for short-lived with a 4-cylinder Ford. In the late 60s. Marcos presented a machine with a 3-liter engines from Ford and Volvo. Marcos in 1800 became the basis of the model Mantula ("Mantula") 80-90s.
IT'S coupe evoked admiration for nearly 30 years after its introduction. This car was made before the end of the production model 3-litre
Over the years, the production company has produced 99 cars Marcos in 1800, 82 - Marcos in 1500 and 192 - Marcos 1600. In 1969 a wooden base sports car replaced a frame made of steel pipe and began to use two variants of the 3-liter engines.
The company sold cars with Ford V6 engine in the UK, and in-line 6-cylinder engine Volvo - in the U.S.. These cars are made, and the vast majority of sales of Marcos to the bankruptcy and closure. A total of 80 cars produced three-litre and 250 cars with an engine Volvo.
In 1965 Marcos coupe engine is first received by the Swedish company Volvo, access to which is much facilitated the hood tilts forward
Feature (3-litre with motor Ford V6)
Engine: V6, the overhead
Bore and stroke: 93,67 x72, 4 mm
Displacement: 2994 cm3
Maximum Power: 128 hp
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Chassis: tubular frame at the spatial
Suspension: the helical springs, front independent, rear axle
Brakes: disc / drum
Body: 2-seater coupe
Maximum speed: 193 km / h
Marcos Marcos options 1800 1500
Produced in 1966-67. with 4-cylinder Ford (1498 cm3, 85 hp) and without overdrive transmission and drive axle.
Marcos in 1600
In 1967-68 years. received a 4-cylinder engine, Ford (1599 cm3, 88 hp). Overdrive transmission and drive axle had. Maximum speed - 175 km / h Some cars are equipped with highly accelerated engine capacity of 1650 cm3.
Marcos 2-litre
Produced in 1970-71. Ford V4 engine with a dimension of 93,67 x72, 4 mm (1996 cm3, 83 hp) and without overdrive transmission and drive axle.
Options Marcos 3-litre Marcos 2.5-litre
Produced only in 1971 and was a variant of 3-litre with the overhead-line 6-cylinder Triumph (2498 cm3). Collected a total of 11 such machines.
Marcos 3-litre engine Volvo
Collected in 1970-71. on the same basis, but in-line six-cylinder Volvo (2979 cm3, 130 hp). Maximum speed - 193 km / h
Marcos Mantis ("Markoc Mantis") 1971
With the exception of Mini-Marcos, proposed as an assembly kit with car units Mini, this car was the most unattractive of all products of Marcos. Compared with the classic two-seater sports models, it was bigger and more spacious, but absolutely neprityagatelnoy. When a tubular frame car had an elongated wheelbase and four-seater body with a strange appearance, which caused criticism.
A bad design of the vehicle visible from all sides. Front view of damaged lattice holes for air intake, which is similar to the cover of the drainage wells
The reasons for that car looked so awkward, lights are placed so short-sighted, and the front desk were so wide, did not exist. As there was no proper explanation, and the appearance of uneven waistline. Everywhere there were nesovmeschaemye elements. An example of this, large rear side windows to facilitate the review of the back, but side by side with the smaller front side windows and violating the integrity of the car on the side. Were inappropriate, and high front fenders, which are embedded in a rectangular headlights. Themselves around the oddly shaped headlight was mounted chromed bezel, only underscores the failure of the solution to their accommodation.
Instead of carrying a wooden frame used steel and o; square tubes, reinforced at critical points plates of sheet steel. It was mounted fiberglass body, consisting of two large - the top and bottom - sections. To its credit, Marcos should be noted that the junction of the two halves of the body was less noticeable than the same joint at a later Lotus Elite ("Lotus Elite").
The driver: Pay attention to the high center tunnel, which is the main element of the frame body force
The suspension was much easier because it ispolzjvalis purchased components. Ahead of the suspension set on double triangular wishbone on the model of Triumph Vitesse ("Triumph Vitesse") with longer springs and shock absorbers provide increased wheel travel. This Triumph steering rack borrowed from the elongated due to the increased outdoor track rods. Rear axle was the German branch Ford, retained the A-shaped lever and the longitudinal rods.
The rest of the Mantis was normal by the standards of Marcos car. At the design stage for a long time could not stop on a suitable engine. First, choose in-line 6-cylinder Volvo, but it was long. On the very first prototype of the set 3-liter V6 from the Ford Capri ("Capri"). In the end the choice fell on a 6-cylinder Triumph TR6 with fuel injection. In the single year of production (1971) collected a total of 33 cars.
Marcos Mantis car looks more like a prototype than a production model
Characteristics (1971)
Engine: P6, the overhead
Bore and Stroke: 74,7 x95 mm
Displacement: 2498 cm3
Maximum Power: 150 hp
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Chassis: tubular frame at the spatial
Suspension: the helical springs, front independent, rear axle
Brakes: disc / drum
Body: Coupe 2 +2
Maximum speed: 193 km / h
Marcos Mantilla ("Markoc Mantula") 1983-1998
10 years after the completion of the assembly of cars Marcos Jem Marsh has revived the brand, introducing a new version of the two-seater coupe 60s. with a 2.8-liter Ford V8. But it was only a sample, and this novelty was introduced in 1983 a machine Mantula. Because over time the British tax laws have changed, it offered only to fully assembled.
In comparison with its prototype Mantula got wider wheel arches, oversized wheels and tires, made in concert with the front spoiler bumper. But the main difference is the light engine V8 (3,2 l) and the corresponding transmission produced by Rover. Some cars are produced with the other engines, mainly Ford Pinto (1,6 and 2,0 l) and Ford V6 (2,8 l). Two years later came the public Spider ("Spider"), who became the first car in the history of Marcos with this type of vehicle.
The machine has excellent manageability, emphasizes the possibility of engine Rover V8. Nevertheless, it remains in these cars and something repulsive. Low height car seat made to lean back, and since they did not have adjustments for the driver of low growth had to change the position of the pedals. The name of the car is made from the initial letters of the word mantis ("Mantis" - praying mantis insect) and the last tarantula (Tarantula).
Mantula was the development of a 3-liter cars Marcos 60s.
Observer magazine Autocar in one of the numbers from 1987 so spoke about the car: "The balance control is best to call for a neutral easily controllable turn-over-bridge, which can be achieved through a long course of the accelerator pedal ... It promotes good cornering, to the the car is equipped with an impressive tire company Yokohama ("Yokohama") with a section width of 225 mm. "
In Mantula found only two drawbacks - a lot of effort on the steering wheel and transmission of disturbances from the road on the body, given that both the passenger in the car are located above the rear axle. It should be noted a high level of finish, though in some respects, the model is not so far away from their predecessors, issued in the form of assembly kits.
But with the Rover V8 engine accelerates from a standstill to 96 km / h in 5.4 seconds, which corresponded to the index model De Tomaso Pantera ("De Tomaso Pantera"). Option "HP" 1987 was a more powerful engine Rover V8 (3,9 liters, 280 hp) and develops a speed of 241 km / h The style and character Mantula switched to two-seat models and Mantaray Mantis with engine V8. The version of "LM" model Mantis claimed at Le Mans for the title winner.
Two years after the coupe came with a body Mantula convertible
Characteristics (1985)
Engine: V8, the overhead
Bore and Stroke: 88,9 x71, 1 mm
Displacement: 3528 cm3
Maximum Power: 190 hp
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Chassis: tubular frame at the spatial
Suspension: the helical springs, front independent, rear axle
Brakes: disc
Body: 2-seater coupe
Maximum speed: 220 km / h
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