The low slungbeauty

It is unfortunate that such a beautiful car with low slung, swooping lines and curvy fendered car like the Marcos GT is almost forgotten and most people never manage to identify the car, unlike the other British sports cars of its era. Marcos were manufacturing two seat sports cars like all the other sports car manufacturers of the time except the result was much different. A lot of the British sports car manufacturers of the time would use the engine from one company and the transmission or the suspension from another manufacturer, this allowed them to have a much better and less expensive car in the end. It also allows allowed people to work on their own cars.

Jem Marsh the founder

Marcos was founded by Jem Marsh, who was later joined by Frank Costin a mastermind who was known for advancing the monocoque chassis structure and was quite crucial in adapting aircraft  aerodynamic knowledge for automobile use. The very name of this company is the first three letters of their names Marsh and Costin. The marcos Gt had adapted several aircraft technology such as the chassis made out of wood to reduce weight and increase stability and strength, this was borrowed from Mosquito fighter-bomber aircraft.

Mosquito fighter-bomber aircraft

the beast that powered the beauty the P1800 V6

the sculpted dashboard

Unveiled at the 1963 Earls Court racing car show, the GT was a jaw dropping car to look at, it was the lowest car in its class and time, it stood just At 43 inches at the roof, the long bonnet and Kamm tail made the car resemble the E-type and even Ferrari GTO to some critics, but this was looked past simply due to the fact that such a small company lime Marcos had come up with an astounding looking car.  Originally, the, wooden chassis car was equipped with a Volvo engine from the P1800 and had a intricate De Dion rear suspension and heavily sculpted dashboard. However, high cost and limited sales of early cars meant that the small British sports car manufacturer had to shift to a Ford powertrain, a simpler dashboard and a live rear axle, held in place with a Panhard rod. One feature which appeared on this model and has been retained to this day is the adjustable pedals. This feature is unique and makes the Marcos a comfortable car in which to travel with a laid back driving position. The suspension was derived from the Triumph whites in the front, all these expensive decisions forced the Marcos to reduce costs by taking out the Volvo P1800 V6 engine and used a Ford V6 instead. The futuristic wooden chassis was replaced by a steel chassis and fewer than 200 of these were sent to the US. some sources state that a few of the GT’s had Rover V8’s. some of the later half of the Marcos were sold or evaluated at half a million dollars. The Marcos a car that truly stood out amongst its other British 2 seat roadster cousins with its unique tech, never was the practical one unlike its rivals, getting out was described as falling out since its so low (43 inches of the ground). The Marcos GT like many of the other niche British 2 seat roadster manufacturers fell under the financial struggle. The tough competition from the Japanese just added to the downfall.  The cars such as the Datsun 1600 were just as fun in the corners while not spending the week in a garage after weekend track day. The other mass produced roadsters were also gaining popularity for the ease of ownership.

the famous Kamm tail

The Marcos to us car enthusiasts is a car that took all the advantages of the no rules on part sourcing. As it had the best technology from its own engineers and the best power plant that was on offer at the time. The fiberglass, swooping aerodynamic body meant it was a stunner, and the suspension that it had meant that the huge powerband could be unleashed at the sharpest corners. The Kamm tail, a feature from the class above confused many. Car enthusiasts on the other hand knew instantly what it was. Many people like me still a wait a car like that to be produced again, for no modern Miata or Boxster can be pushed to the limit of its mechanical grip like the Marcos GT could, while looking like the way it did, a true beauty.  

The Kamm tail function