They built cars until 1971, and the company was opened again to sell kit cars in the 1980s. I don not like this car at all! Marcos was founded in Dolgellau, North Wales, in 1959, by Speedex cars’ Jem Marsh with aerodynamicist Frank Costin. RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks. The original Marcos Owners Club, for owners and those interested in Marcos cars. 335 1. How anyone can pencil such a tortured design and proclaim its excellence is beyond me. The wooden monocoque chassis was a Costin feature, born out of his days as an airplane designer, (particularly working on DeHaviland Mosquito). This thing looks how mustard smells. But offered a choice at the same cost, I’d take it over an MGB just because it’s very different. 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! The reason they only sold a few is because MOST PEOPLE SEE A MISSMATCH OF DIFFERENT BODY CONTOURS THAT DON’T REALLY WORK OUT AT ALL TOGETHER! Problems with exporting cars to the USA and … One Of 32! Search Cars for Sale ... Sure, those cars are repulsive, but they look like Amber Heard compared to the 1970 Marcos Mantis M70. Production of the M70 ceased in 1972 due to Marcos’ previously referenced financial distress. I also have the prototype Luton Gullwing in Wimauma Florida which should be ready for the road/track shortly. Fitted with the Triumph 2 ½ litre straight six fuel injected engine featuring a 4 speed gearbox with overdrive. Looking Glass, Fitted with the Triumph 2 ½ 1970 Marcos Mantis M70 For Sale | Page 14/25. While the tall greenhouse seems out of place, it probably does provide very good visibility. I have a 1970 Marcos Mantis rookie card in mint condition. However: I a not an expert, just know stuff andstraight off the bat without reference to Wikipedia or anything other than my head: Marcos was a UK specialist builder of sports cars founded by Jem Marsh and Frank Costin. And here’s just such an example, a 1970 Marcos Mantis M70. Said to have 44k original miles from new, it was rebuilt in the 80’s and has more recently been recommissioned. 1970s Marcos Mantis M70 sports car . 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. Only beauty will save the world — Fyodor Dostojewski. This is an exception. Marcos Mantis M70 (1970) Arley Hall Classic Car Show 23/09/2012. 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. The praying mantis is one of the ugliest bugs out there, and this is appropriately named. I realize now that this car isn’t that bad looking considering it’s make out of 3/4″ plywood. Nov 17, 2018 - This Pin was discovered by Notorious Carter. To my mind ALL Marcos designs were funny looking, some of them even hideous. You say Marcos was “briefly” a British manufacturer? 1968 - Sees the Marcos Mantis M70 Marcos automobile Classic Car Life Classic For Sale I presume they used Tonfanau for testing, it being only a few miles away from the factory. CCFisher, I set you up with a car. Result if a chevy monza and a ford pinto had a baby. Marcos died many deaths subsequent to the car featured here, which was the authentic beginning of the end. This Mantis is located in Bradford on Avon Wiltshire, U.K. and is available, here on Car & Classic for 25,995 Pounds Sterling (about $34,500). Any car would look appealing after so many beers….LOL. Don’t get me wrong, as the seller states, this Mantis has been beautifully restored and is resplendent in its Marcos Earls Court metallic blue paintwork – it’s just odd looking. This is one of them. Marcos was founded in Luton, in Bedfordshire, England, in 1959 by Jem Marsh and Frank Costin. Chassis is metal on these. Said to have 44k original miles from new, it was rebuilt in the 80’s and has more recently been recommissioned. It’s believed that the costly process to legalize the Marcos GT for American markets and the development of the radical Marcos Mantis dwindled the company’s funds. If you are not familiar with the car company am sure you are familiar with the Cos part of the name. Discover (and save!) Free shipping. Une Marcos Mantis 3 L de 1970. All the details can be found on http://www.historicmarcosregister.com. However, in December 1970, Brian learned “out of the blue” that the receivers had been called in and he was made redundant. Most likely to win “A Face only a Mother can Love” award. I always assume that I have a fair knowledge of varying automobile marques until I realize that I don’t. 2. Listing 1 adverts. 1 post Mantis M70 for sale (2+2) Mantis M70 for sale (2+2) webbozen. What a toad. FAST & FREE. They probably replaced them with Azteks & Jukes. 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. Marsh had previously founded Speedex, a company to supply the Ford sidevalve special boom and Costin was an aeronautical engineer, who had contributed to Lotus Mk VII/IX/11 and 15, as well as doing the bodywork of the Vanwall F1 car. With the move to the new factory in Westbury, and the development costs of the car, only 32 cars were ever made. Notify me of new comments via email. More information 1972 Marcos Mantis M70 For Sale Rear Had some successful runs in competition, too, I understand. Pontiac Aztek Amc Gremlin Aston Martin Lagonda Classic Car Show Classic Cars Estilo James Bond Nissan Transportation Technology Hell On Wheels. Bassmen. They must have had very weak p/w motors back then – overseas, looking at the amt of glass that goes down. looks like the design crew messed up and didn’t know how to make it better! I really had to think about the mustang thing. This is easily accessible stuff. It is Zagato gone extreme. It’s almost reminiscent of an Espada inside. I much prefer the Marcos1800 GT. The look like they were built so you could take the wife and kids with you when you were racing. Race car production was relocated to the Netherlands while road car production moved to Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England. https://live.staticflickr.com/4128/35588030782_593d1f9bb2_n.jpg. Is there a such thing as appearing “gainly”?   |   your own Pins on Pinterest Marcos Mantis Classic 15" Riveted Dark Wood Steering Wheel & Boss … My 4year old son can come up with a better looking car…. Wish I could find a wide set for my bolt pattern, but seems they’re only made to fit VW T2s these days. And here we’d thought the Z3 coupe looked like a clown shoe. Frank Costin had earlier worked on the De Havilland Mosquito fighter-bombers and from there he got the idea to use plywoodfor the chassis. For a 1970 Marcos, I was expecting a Volvo injected B20 under the hood. Your California Privacy Rights Corgi #312 MARCOS MANTIS Whizzwheels diecast. webbozen. Top Rated Plus. Find it here on eBay classifieds in Wincanton, England for 14,500 pounds (~$23,140 today). This being said, all 32 cars sold within an eleven month period prior to the factory closing in 1972. But then I hadn’t seen the first Marcos that was truly hideous so it was really the good looking 1800 and 3-litre that were the exception! Thanks so much for chiming in on BF with some real history and an extraordinary perspective! Marcos Mantula Spider V8 for sale Current customer rating: ( 2.05 ) based on 710 votes I have owned the car for the last 5 years and in that time have done less than …   |   One of the reasons I decided to be a “Member” of BF was that I could post photos… Finally one got a response, and it was more than I could have hoped for. £4.50 postage. I can’t say I’m a fan of the M70 Mantis. Corgi #312 MARCOS MANTIS Whizzwheels diecast. 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. Advertised horsepower ratings vary with 150 having been published by Triumph but others state that dynamometer tests of the era indicated 130 was more likely. Established in 1972, this is is a club run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. Corgi Toys Whizz Wheels 305 Mini Marcos GT850 White 7 … Make Offer - Vintage Corgi Toys~Die Cast Car~MARCOS … 5 with the retractable headlights. And died there. This car launched the careers of Jackie Stewart (3 times F1 Champion), Jackie Oliver (F1 driver, owner of Arrows F1 team, John Miles (Lotus F1 driver and development engineer). The styling may have been by the Adams brothers who styled the most well known Marcos, the 1800, but cannot find any confirmation of that. This 1972 Marcos Mantis M70 is said to be one of only 32 ever made. Marcos went bankrupt in 1971. Never heard of it though I’m sure our… more» Aug 6, 2020 • For Sale • 7 Comments. Jan 24, 2015 - This Pin was discovered by Art Shetler. • Unlimited ad-free browsing If I read correctly it is located in Tottering-On-The-Brink. Production of the M70 ceased in 1972 due to Marcos’ previously referenced financial distress. Nov 29, 2020 • For Sale • 80 Comments. And write an article. WOW! am3386, It’s an esoteric beauty. Terms of Use, All contents © 2020 The best vintage and classic cars for sale online | Bring a Trailer, Voting Now Open: 2020 BaT People's Choice Best Feature, Voting Now Open: 2020 BaT Photo Gallery of the Year, Voting Now Open: 2020 BaT Video of the Year, Voting Now Open: 2020 BaT Success Story of the Year, Road and Track Experience: Beyond City Limits – Austin, Texas, Lake Tahoe Wooden Boat Concours d’Elegance. Whomever buys this needs to drive it backwards as the front is just lame to look at. Vintage Corgi Toys~Die Cast Car~MARCOS 3 LITRE~1970s Whizzwheels~Blue. Jcs, L’étrange Mantis M70 lancée en 1970 De la Xylon à la Mini Marcos, en passant par la GT. The ignorance of people never ceases to amaze me. Full story here… 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. Everyone: Check out the videos of John in action at https://historicmarcosregister.com/80snk/. Share. But what Wikipedia knows is not always the reality. 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. Facepalm. eBay watch: Very rare 1970s Marcos Mantis M70 sports car - Retro to Go. I know that there are many things that I don’t understand. Just what the auto world needed- “A less reliable and more quirky Lotus”. The next Mantis, the four-seater M70, was launched in 1970 and had a fuel-injected 2.5-litre Triumph TR6 six-cylinder injected engine mated to a four-speed gearbox. C $20.05 . One of the early ones with the plywood. That is me, John Sutton, 3rd from left bottom row, after we won the World Cup race at Zandvoort in 1961 in the British team. Gaze, if you dare, at the picture above. 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. It is probably not coincidence. Okay I’m stepping up in defense of the Mantis. Make Offer - Corgi #312 MARCOS MANTIS Whizzwheels diecast. I can´t seem to post rely to your request. 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). Do you know where in Dol Marcos were based? I went on to win the production class at the Nurburgring 500 km race in 1963. You know don’t judge a book by its cover. Article by António Cardoso. Was everyone at the same bar? Marcos Engineering was founded in 1959 and built sports cars in the UK. Enjoy a short clip of two rare Marcos Mantis V8 GT Supercharged roll by. Second generation of the Marcos Mantis was the 4-seater M70. 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. Frères, Dennis et Peter Adams backwards as the seller states, this is is a rare.... 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