The Mini Marcos re-release!!!!

[huwbertus]

I am currently restoring a MK3 Mini Marcos and have heard that there is going to be a short production run of new Mini Marcoses (Marcosi?) for a one make race series and maybe for the road.

As there seems to be a lot of intresting info here on the TSO, I was wandering if anybody knows anythig?

Cheers
Huw

[grahambell]

Don't know who's supposed to be producing them but can't see it being Marcos Engineering, who are concentrating totally on the TSO at the moment.

[huwbertus]

Anybody got an idea who is proposing the re-make???

[Imelda]

Ah. 'Tis rumoured to be this mob.

www.marcosheritagespares.com

[huwbertus]

Cheers. Just looked at the web site, but there is no info there at all. Could this just be a roumor?

[dr ivel]

Read the small print

"Marcos Heritage having bought the assets of Marcos Sales Ltd has secured the rights and all the moulds to produce all parts for the Mini Marcos. The little car is not dead merely sleeping".

[Jack LM]

Imelda said:

Ah. 'Tis rumoured to be this mob. www.marcosheritagespares.com

[pic] www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/images/mot_hed_story.gif[/pic]
The comeback kid
(Filed: 26/03/2005)

Paul Chudecki anticipates the return of one of the smallest and most strangely styled GT cars

The Mini Marcos, one of the smallest and most strangely styled GT cars of the 1960s, is to make a comeback. A typically British oddity with endearing qualities as well as quirky looks, it is to go back into production next summer, 40 years after first rolling out of Marcos's Westbury factory.

Just as in 1965, the new car will be available in component form only, comprising a glass-fibre shell and tubular frame in which any variation of Mini running gear can be used.

Marcos Heritage is behind the scheme - it bought the assets when Marcos Sales went into liquidation in 2000. Demand for the diminutive machine has steadily increased since, helped recently by the example raced in the Le Mans Classic by Rae Davis and F1 commentator Tony Jardine.

Despite a misfire, the pocket rocket clocked 146mph along the Mulsanne Straight thanks to a giant-killing power-to-weight ratio of 375bhp per ton; interestingly, that's the same speed recorded by Marcos founder Jem Marsh in the 24 Hours of 1966, though with less power and no chicanes.

"We've had so many inquiries for it," says Marcos Heritage's Rory Macmath, a former Marcos engineer, who points out that of about 3,000 cars built between 1965 and 1981, some 2,000 still exist. He adds: "Obviously, Rae racing at Le Mans has given it a boost, which should help sales. We have all the original tools and jigs and we're re-engineering it so we can put on a couple of modern additions, but otherwise it will look like the old car.

"There's been incredible demand from Japan, Italy, everywhere, and we'll manufacture as many as required. The beauty of the Mini Marcos is that it's so easy to construct and the donor is a complete original Mini. We supply the body, doors, bonnet, boot, tailgate, window frames, glass and a few brackets, but otherwise everything will come from that donor vehicle. We'll keep the price down to rock bottom but it will be competitive."

Rae Davis, whose GB Performance concern is the competition arm of Marcos Heritage, is confident the car will be successful: "From early 2000, the demand was worldwide, including America," he says.

"People think they're quirky cars, part of the Swinging Sixties, and component cars are still very popular. You can still produce this car very cheaply and you are getting a genuine Marcos, nothing less. Given the speed at Le Mans, plus its fantastic aerodynamic stability and the rapturous response from the crowd and competitors, it seems logical to reproduce the car."

Macmath adds that there could also be a racing version: "We've had a few inquiries and if demand for a competition car is high we'll develop one."

• Marcos Heritage can be contacted on 01380 871717 and GB Performance on 020 8570 8858.


More info here: www.minimarcos.org.uk/news/index.html

[cazzer]

god I hope not

[Jack LM]

The Brochure can be seen here, it looks really great.
[url]www.minimarcos.org.uk/brochures/mmmkvi/index.html[/url]

[xxplod]

As a Mini owner I'm all for it. I wonder if the Honda VTEC could be squeezed in there???

[huwbertus]

Been thinking of something similar myself. A couple of companies are developing Front wheel drive Bike engine conversions for the Mini though. Rallysport Replicas I think is one and there is a link to the other on here somewhere.

Sounds like a bit of fun though.

[Kelvin]

I see mention of Rae Davis on this thread, I'd just like to give you an update on Rae's website, which is on the move and having a name change.

it is now Rae Davis Racing
www.raedavisracing.com
and incorporates GB Performance.

If anyone has gbperformance.com in their bookmarks then you need to update to the new address as the old one will soon be no longer available.

regards, Kelvin (Rae's Webmaster)



>> Edited by Kelvin on Wednesday 15th June 08:44

[Joe T]

its good to know these sort of cars still have some sort of future, even if its a limited production run there is always hope if people acknowledge ownership, then interest can be measured.
We have been working on a little known Costin Roadster design www.specialistautomotive.com

These sort of projects take time to resurrect.

Joe