Wooden chassis Marcos
Discussion
Thanks, I've found that after my earlier post and yes, it is interesting reading.
That wooden monocoque looks like the work of a genious. I'm just reading a book about the de Havilland Mosquito and talks about how the Germans in WWII were jealous of the technology in the Mosquito and to think it is in a road car is amazing.
My only worry is I don't really know what I'm buying or what to look for so I'd rather buy from one of the specialists I've found but they've only got steel cars.
Does the wooden car drive better or worse than the steel one? It's still only at about £7K which sounds cheap compared to other cars about but a lot if it needs a new chassis.
Does anyone know how much the 3 litre one went for the other week?
That wooden monocoque looks like the work of a genious. I'm just reading a book about the de Havilland Mosquito and talks about how the Germans in WWII were jealous of the technology in the Mosquito and to think it is in a road car is amazing.
My only worry is I don't really know what I'm buying or what to look for so I'd rather buy from one of the specialists I've found but they've only got steel cars.
Does the wooden car drive better or worse than the steel one? It's still only at about £7K which sounds cheap compared to other cars about but a lot if it needs a new chassis.
Does anyone know how much the 3 litre one went for the other week?
i`ve got a steel chassis V6 in ....1976 and to day i`ve a wood chassis V6.
It seems to me that the road holding is quite the same , the wood one is a little lighter. If your suspension , bushes , schocks and setting are nominal , if you keep the std width of wheel with no more than 185 wide tyres, mine are MICHELIN XAS formula france , soft compound , you have got the perfect toy ..and better on the wet thanks to the XAS. The condition of the wood is the only obstacle. Mine had been checked at RORY`s and is perfect. The big snag is the fitting of the front metal frame on the wood through prisonner nuts inside the wood .....after 42 years it`s not possible to tighten them , they are free inside so...
It seems to me that the road holding is quite the same , the wood one is a little lighter. If your suspension , bushes , schocks and setting are nominal , if you keep the std width of wheel with no more than 185 wide tyres, mine are MICHELIN XAS formula france , soft compound , you have got the perfect toy ..and better on the wet thanks to the XAS. The condition of the wood is the only obstacle. Mine had been checked at RORY`s and is perfect. The big snag is the fitting of the front metal frame on the wood through prisonner nuts inside the wood .....after 42 years it`s not possible to tighten them , they are free inside so...
So if the prisoner nuts are loose then the entire front subframe is loose isn't it?
Looking at mine, it looks like you should be able to get at these by removing the curved section of wood in the wheel arches. Yes I realise that shouldn't betaken lightly but it is a possible repair.
What does Rory say?
Looking at mine, it looks like you should be able to get at these by removing the curved section of wood in the wheel arches. Yes I realise that shouldn't betaken lightly but it is a possible repair.
What does Rory say?
They really are fantastic cars and I suspect if they had been developed in period they would have been an astonishing proposition as a well driven and well prepared 1800 can beat a Lotus 26R
I do wonder if they had a twin cam version how well it could have gone, maybe better than a lightweight E type
The really impressive thing about the wooden chassis is that even if you put 280bhp through it, it still works beautifully.
I do wonder if they had a twin cam version how well it could have gone, maybe better than a lightweight E type
The really impressive thing about the wooden chassis is that even if you put 280bhp through it, it still works beautifully.
I found that it doesn't take much to make these cars outstanding just using standard components and close to period bits.
With mine, the Essex V6 is a lovely engine, it sits far back in the chassis. The flaws to overcome are;
1. The exhaust needs careful installation. High enough to clear the ground but far enough away from the wood not to damage it.
2. The gearing through the standard back axle needs addressing. A top speed of about 110 at maximum revs is not in keeping with the car.
Both of these should be easy fixes. I sorted the exhaust on my last wooden chassis car but never got around to do the axle as I used the car locally, not really needing a longer geared axle but I want this car capable of sitting on the motorway in comfort.
With mine, the Essex V6 is a lovely engine, it sits far back in the chassis. The flaws to overcome are;
1. The exhaust needs careful installation. High enough to clear the ground but far enough away from the wood not to damage it.
2. The gearing through the standard back axle needs addressing. A top speed of about 110 at maximum revs is not in keeping with the car.
Both of these should be easy fixes. I sorted the exhaust on my last wooden chassis car but never got around to do the axle as I used the car locally, not really needing a longer geared axle but I want this car capable of sitting on the motorway in comfort.
I`ve fitted a 3,54 ratio differential which is a little better than the 3,77.
The front frame is not loose , but i`m able to turn the bolts with a tool so ....
I intend to come from the inside , foot well, do a round hole just to be able to get access to the nuts , some W40 and perhaps a tool to prevent the nuts moving and it should be ok !
I will change the original engine for a rebuilt 3.1 with 3 dcnf and 200 bhp which is the max you may fit to the chassis to play on the road. I drove her this sunday
what a pleasure it is ! my other toy is an L/R roadster 427SC , it`s very different car with a lot of brutish power , less heat inside!! . When we drive the COB for 100 miles , you can say that you have done something , your arms get heavy, your head is full of noise.... but the MARCOS is more LOTUS , more nimble and single seater driving. My wife drives the MARCOS but she fears the COB and has no pleasure to drive the snake!
The front frame is not loose , but i`m able to turn the bolts with a tool so ....
I intend to come from the inside , foot well, do a round hole just to be able to get access to the nuts , some W40 and perhaps a tool to prevent the nuts moving and it should be ok !
I will change the original engine for a rebuilt 3.1 with 3 dcnf and 200 bhp which is the max you may fit to the chassis to play on the road. I drove her this sunday
what a pleasure it is ! my other toy is an L/R roadster 427SC , it`s very different car with a lot of brutish power , less heat inside!! . When we drive the COB for 100 miles , you can say that you have done something , your arms get heavy, your head is full of noise.... but the MARCOS is more LOTUS , more nimble and single seater driving. My wife drives the MARCOS but she fears the COB and has no pleasure to drive the snake!
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