If you are looking for an affordable way into historic motorsports, then here is the perfect opportunity.
A wooden-chassis Marcos 1600 coupé with competition history in HSCC Roadsport and recent upgrades by Team Leos to bring seatbelts, fire extinguisher and oil catch tank up to standard, the car has the potential to be competitive in the right hands.
The Marcos marque is well known to car enthusiasts for its striking looks and strong competition history. Jackie Oliver and Jackie Stewart both drove Marcos cars in their early days of racing and both historic and more modern Marcoses are campaigned successfully in various Sports Racing categories.
Frank Costin’s innovative wooden chassis design adopted the aeronautical engineering principles of the De Havilland Mosquito to provide a light, strong and extremely rigid chassis - ideal for motorsport and only 192 were ever made.
These rare and attractive cars are very capable of being competitive in their age categories of historic motorsport
This one was originally a road car, but was acquired and fully rebuilt as a race car in the early 2000s and competed by Bill Smith in HSCC Roadsport events from 2007-2014, since when it has had an easier life with some use at Marcos Club sprint events.
The current owner was intending to campaign the car in HSCC Roadsports in 2022 but a health issue frustrated that ambition.
With a well-matched Brian James four-wheel trailer included in the package, the new owner can look forward to getting on circuit for the 2023 season and giving the car the life it deserves.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
UK V5C
Tax and MOT exempt
Recently expired MOT
HSCC Roadsports compatible
Well known in Marcos Club
Ideal low-cost entry into historic motorsport
Many original panels, trim and parts included from when it was used as a road car
Large history file documenting the car's rebuild and race preparation
Historic race records
Currently stored at the Redline Sportscars company who would be willing to report on the car condition at the bidder's expense
This is a race-prepared car so don’t expect luxuries – far from it in fact!
It features its original high-back vinyl seats with competition-approved harnesses, but the new owner may wish to fit a competition seat to suit their own requirements. There's a fire extinguisher system, while the dash is of an alloy finish with a supplementary bank of dials showing oil pressure and battery voltage, along with toggle switches for wipers, fans and lighting, plus a push-button for the horn.
The interior is very functional for racing and features a roll cage, electric cut-off switch, three-spoke Alcantara steering wheel and billeted aluminium gear shifter. Recent upgrades include new seat belts, fire extinguishing system and oil catch tank fitted by Team Leos at a cost of £3000.
The car is potentially eligible for a wide range of events including sprints, hillclimbs and various circuit race championships.
Included with the sale are most of the original road going trim panels.
Sound fibreglass panels that could be improved cosmetically
Minilite alloys with Yokohama AB08 tyres
External tow hook, fuel and electric cut-off switches
Sunroof aperture aluminium panelled to comply with race regulations
Originally a road car, DMB 300F was converted to a racing car by engineer Bill Smith and resprayed yellow. It’s a bold-looking thing, sitting on Minilite alloy wheels with track/road tyres. The vendor has a spare set of road wheels for sale separately. The vendor is also including a four-wheel Brian James trailer (valued around £1000-£1500) to transport it to events, that's been recently serviced and has four new tyres.
The car was well known to the current owner for many years and was acquired in 2021 with the intention of competing again in HSCC events. There is no notable damage or significant paint problems. The original wooden chassis is strong and in good order.
THE MECHANICS
1600 Ford Crossflow built to 150bhp
Four-speed manual with a racing clutch
Lively performance capable of being competitive on the right hands
Strong brakes and racing suspension
Recently recommissioned and in good running order
Under the bonnet, you’ll find the familiar Ford 1,600cc ‘Kent’ crossflow engine, renowned for its tunability. This one has twin Weber carbs with mesh air filters, along with upgraded hoses and hardened fuel lines.
It’s described by the vendor as being in good working order, with lively performance and a strong, positive four-speed manual transmission.
Historically, the car enjoyed quite a bit of competition success and was highly competitive in its class, while the vast number of off-the-shelf tuning parts for the Ford Crossflow mean that it has potential to be made even more potent if you so desire.
In addition to the car and trailer package, the vendor has available for purchase at extra cost - Four Minilite spare wheels with Yokohama tyres, a spare bonnet, larger capacity aluminium fuel tank, original fuel tank, trailer tyre rack and center bonnet mold available by negotiation at a price to be agreed and located in Suffolk.
There aren’t many off-the-peg historic racing cars that you can buy without huge investment, but here’s one that comes ready-to-go, eligible for a number of competitions and even supplied with its own trailer and a stash of spares.
With the historic motorsport scene continuing to boom, it’s a great way in and quite an affordable one to boot. A fabulous car that you can use as the basis for an even more extreme machine, or compete with as is and drive home at the end of the event.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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