Under the boot is a 2.5-liter Triumph, in-line, six-cylinder, engine turning through a four-speed manual transmission. • Early access to every find We’re familiar with Marcos of course, but have to admit we’ve never heard of this particular model before being sent this auction link. Chassis is metal on these. While the rarity of this Marcos Mantis is not to be denied, and the restored condition shows extremely well, it’s still an unusual car with what I would describe as a “severe” look about it. I recall the disbelief and angst of my group of teenage car freak friends in the UK at seeing the car for the first time. Almost no commenter knows anything about the mechanics or capability of the car. Beyond that, the overly tall greenhouse looks just plopped on – it’s a kit-bash of stuff occurring all at once. I have the car in California being restored by Paul Steinbeck. It would break down all week long and twice on Sundays. The front end reminds me of a Plymouth Omni 024 and the kick-up in the quarters, over the rear wheels, is reminiscent of Coke bottle styling used on ’65 to ’68 Chevrolet Impalas. For Sale. The ignorance of people never ceases to amaze me. 1959 to 2007 is brief? Jensen-Healey, Lotus Elite also massively disappointed, so best years of small UK sports car specialists was definitely the 60s. So you are saying the Marcos designers went to work for Pixar Studios? 1970: The four-seat Mantis M70 appears, powered by a 2.5-liter Triumph straight-six. 2. Marcos did not make many cars,though i knew someone who had one.They also built the Mini Marcos (google it).That was a funny looking thing! Marcos. Just a short hike up the M1 from Wooly Bush. Some zombie companies have tried to live on, but 1960-70 were the glory years. The Marcos Mantis is a sports car produced by the British car company Marcos. 998cc “Wacky Races” comes to mind. WOW! windows/pedals/mirrors, Alpine iDA-X300 stereo with USB and iPod leads, Black hood, Hi-Spec front, This was originally 'Marcos Sportscars' 1997 outrageous V8 'raspberry fliptone' 327 Bhp Motor Show Car. I can still remember my reaction as a kid when these were shown in the car magazines and I struggled to grasp how Marcos could go from those cool 2-seaters to this ugly duckling. We are all talking about it’s looks not the powertrain… A little more work on the body and it could have been a better looking car…. Everyone: Check out the videos of John in action at https://historicmarcosregister.com/80snk/. Maybe the company was administratively constituted there, but Costin left Marcos in 1961. I can’t believe that only 32 people bought one of these gorgeous cars. Article by António Cardoso. Just because a car is “rare” doesn’t mean it is desirable or a good investment. And died there. MARQUE MARCOS This is one of them. Looking Glass, Costin was a total genius (His less brilliant, more practical brother Mike is the Cos in “Cosworth”), Marsh a wheeler dealer/racing driver. RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks. Over to the real experts if they read this page. And here’s just such an example, a 1970 Marcos Mantis M70. Ver más ideas sobre coches, microcoche, morgan aero 8. Speaking of plywood wonders, I was always enamored with the Imp powered Davrian Mk. 1970 Marcos Mantis M70. 0. 1970 Marcos based on 1963 Morris saloon. OUTSIDE BLACK But offered a choice at the same cost, I’d take it over an MGB just because it’s very different. The restoration aimed to complete the car as close to the specificati, Mini Marcos RHD Production of the M70 ceased in 1972 due to Marcos’ previously referenced financial distress. Marcos Engineering was founded in 1959 and built sports cars in the UK. It presents itself very well and offers a nice contrast with its blue carpet and blue-accented door panels. Since you are apparently a Marcos “expert” and know obscure details like things about where Frank Costin lived and died, how about you enlighten us all with a brief, say a 400 word, history of the company. The Mantis featured a 1.5 inch square section tubular chassis and ran the triumph 2.5 PI engine and gearbox. I don not like this car at all! I bought this a few years ago now to restore but I have collected far too many great retirement projects but sadly I’ll have to sell this and most of the others, which is such a shame. There is a lot of sneering above, but the early cars were ultra-competitive racers, the 1800GT (by the Adams brothers, as is this car) was a thing of beauty and the Mini Marcos was a gift to impecunious enthusiasts and btw, the only Brit car to finish at Le Mans the movie they haven´t made yet). Only beauty will save the world — Fyodor Dostojewski. Problems with exporting cars to the USA and … I can’t say I’m a fan of the M70 Mantis. This is easily accessible stuff. One Of 32! Thanks to Kyle K. for this tip! I can´t seem to post rely to your request. The Mantis name was originally used in 1968 on a two-seater, performance-oriented car and then moved to a two + two model, further defined as the M70, in 1970. See more ideas about kit cars, car, british cars. Is that a double negative? Click here to get it featured on the homepage instead. This car has been in the same family for many years and has been stored in a garage on axle stands for the last 11 years. And here we’d thought the Z3 coupe looked like a clown shoe. To me, it has the look of 8 different kit cars, all pieced together poorly. Production of the M70 ceased in 1972 due to Marcos’ previously referenced financial distress. This 1972 Marcos Mantis M70 is said to be one of only 32 ever made. Nov 29, 2020 • For Sale • 80 Comments. 5 talking about this. By 1971 Lotus finally addressed the rearward vision problem produced by the original “bread van” design. Left to his own devices, Frank Costin came up with the equally weird (but logical to hime) Costin Amigo. Thanks so much for chiming in on BF with some real history and an extraordinary perspective! I’m sure the 40 individuals who have contributed some great comments to this post would appreciate it. Great Savings & Free Delivery / Collection on many items Posted by | Jan 12, 2021 | Uncategorized | 0 | | Jan 12, 2021 | Uncategorized | 0 | What I would like to know, is how many of our readers are familiar with Marcos and what can you add to the story? I’m thinking the later of the two. I, for one, am thankful that there were only 32 built. Marcos was always a different beast, but they always drove well and stood out in a crowd. 03-jun-2019 - Explora el tablero de Alaneo Weib "Coches ingleses" en Pinterest. It is attributed to Dennis Adams – creator of the classic two-seater Marcos – but I suspect it lost something in translation into a production car. Marcos GT - Wikipedia 1970 Marcos Mantis M70 For Sale, £25995 A rare opportunity to own 1 of only 32 ever to be produced Marcos 2+2. The racing bred Marcos LM500 looks resplendent in its Marcos deep metallic mica red paintwork. How anyone can pencil such a tortured design and proclaim its excellence is beyond me. Operations spanned the years from 1959 until 2007 with a cease in operations between 1971 and 1976 due to export problems and costs associated with a later move from Kenilworth to Westbury. Check out pictures of Marcos Xylon to see what I mean! I really had to think about the mustang thing. Canadian entrepreneur Tony Stelliga formed Marcos Engineering with Jem Marsh, and revived production in 2002. eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'barnfinds_com-box-4','ezslot_13',135,'0','0'])); The interior has been retrimmed in, what the seller refers to as, the correct black “Ambla and Cirrus materials” with a new Elm veneer dash. The original Marcos Mantis is a sports car produced by the British car company Marcos Engineering.It was formally introduced in 1968 although production appears to have been slow to start. Mantis M70. I, for one, am thankful that there were only 32 built. And here we’d thought the Z3 coupe looked like a clown shoe. Fitted with the Triumph 2 ½ litre straight six fuel injected engine featuring a 4 speed gearbox with overdrive. CCFisher, Marcos Mantis M70 - Rare British Production Car for sale Current customer rating: (2.05) based on 682 votes 1 of only 32 made - This was one of the last few to leave the … YEAR 1988 Costin left the company in 1961, disagreeing with Marsh about the aesthetics of the “Ugly Duckling, which though ugly, launched the careers of Jackies Stewart and Oliver. 1970: The four-seat Mantis M70 appears, powered by a 2.5-liter Triumph straight-six. Plenty of airline tickets available. I also have the prototype Luton Gullwing in Wimauma Florida which should be ready for the road/track shortly. While the tall greenhouse seems out of place, it probably does provide very good visibility. marcos mantis m70 for sale. And to think a number of you guys commented that the ’66/’67 Charger is unattractive…, Whoever thinks the ’66/’67 Charger is unattractive needs to take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror. It really has some unusual proportions. Might drive very well, but nutty styling. Do you know where in Dol Marcos were based? Fitted with the usual electric adjustable pedal, electric windows, central locking and Thatcham a, reducing my collection. Very bad sportsmen, and the same happened with my 1961 Luton Gullwing when it raced in Canada. Personally, I would love to experience driving anything from such accomplished designers. 5 talking about this. Costin left Marcos several years earlier, so had no hand in the Mantis. The car that he and his team of around 7-10 staff created in less than 15 months was the spectacular My 4year old son can come up with a better looking car…. No one ever liked the look of the Mantis. From there he got the idea to use plywood for the automobile chassis and body. North Wales? Marcos. But what Wikipedia knows is not always the reality. Ergo, according to that great Russian, this creation ought to be crushed forthwith. There are lots of Photos of the prototype being built taken by George Phillips whose archive is now held at the REVS Institute at Naples in Florida. If you are not familiar with the car company am sure you are familiar with the Cos part of the name. As the seller states, this is one of only 32 built and it is a rare automobile. Marcos is Jem Marsh/Frank Costin. Rough, perhaps you need some of Dr. Phlathead’s Snake-oil “Milk-O-Mantis-nesia” tummy pills to quell you visual ills. Tragically, this isn’t the end of the story. Notify me of new comments via email. I presume they used Tonfanau for testing, it being only a few miles away from the factory. My friends have owned one of these since new in 1970, it is here in Canada. With that thought, let’s take a close look at this restored example, and don’t be afraid to pipe up if I get something wrong. The car that he and his team of around 7-10 staff created in less than 15 months was the spectacular Marcos Mantis M70 - the design was certainly controversial but the car received many positive comments and requests for orders. Looks like something out of a really bad Saturday-morning Hanna Barbera cartoon from the late 1960’s-1970’s. Buy Car Parts for Marcos Mantis and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! CERTIFICATIONS ASI £4.50 postage. Or subscribe without commenting. 92,000 miles ENGINE ROVER 3500 V8 Fitted with the Triumph 2 ½ 1970 Marcos Mantis M70 For Sale | Car And Classic This 1972 Marcos Mantis M70 is said to be one of only 32 ever made. INTERIOR TOTAL LEATHER COCOA It’s either my spicy cheese omelette or looking at this car that is making me nauseous. What a toad. I thought that back in the day and I still think it today.