Highlights

Handmade Classic English performance.
Just 30,800 warranted miles
Just three registered keepers
Highly original, beautifully preserved and maintained
Advisory-free MOT until July 2025
Serviced and improved by Marcos specialist: Redline Sports Cars.
Just been serviced

The Appeal

Named after founding members engineer Jem Marsh and legendary aircraft aerodynamicist Frank Costin, the British sports car manufacturer Marcos was built upon a wealth of experience. Notable Marcos innovations included the use of plywood, which Costin carried over from his work on the de Havilland Mosquito fighter bomber, and glass fibre - the perfect material to produce the highly aerodynamic bodywork that would excel on the racetrack. Marcos did well in motorsport with the likes of Jackie Stewart, Derek Bell, Jackie Oliver and Jonathan Palmer in the driving seat though it was in later years when its road cars really came into their own.

After almost a decade of offering road cars in kit form, the Mantara was launched in 1992 and was built exclusively in-house. It bore many similarities to its Mantula predecessor although was significantly improved by MacPherson strut front suspension, replacing an antiquated Triumph-derived trunnion system. Power came courtesy of a fuel-injected 190 horsepower 3.9-litre Rover V8 driving the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox. Marcos said it would hit 60mph in 5.4 seconds and would go on to a 140mph top speed.

This 1996 example has just 30,800 miles on the odometer which is supported by the detailed service history that accompanies the car. It’s also been freshly serviced on 25th September 2024 in readiness for its next keeper and comes with a long advisory-free MOT.

The Marcos community is supported by two active car clubs, two specialists who worked at the factory making the cars and know the cars intimately. During the year there are club organised gatherings at British and European events.

Beautifully presented throughout and in very good original condition, this Marcos awaits its fourth registered keeper. What a great alternative to the rather obvious TVR.

The History and Paperwork

1 of 8 Mantara coupes - very rare
MOT until 1st July 2025
Two former registered keepers
Acquired by the vendor in January 2022
30,800 warranted miles
Original service book with numerous regular stamps from well-regarded independent specialists
V5C present
Several significant invoices from Marcos specialist, Redline Sports Car Company Ltd, from the spring/summer of 2023
Last serviced on 25th September 2024 by GT Motor Cars and gearbox fluid changed

The Condition

Beautifully presented inside, out and underneath
Painted in Cosworth Moonstone Blue.
The glass fibre bodywork is in very good order, with no crazing or any signs of accident damage
Smart original alloy wheels with only very slight marks
Exceedingly well-preserved paintwork with only minimal imperfections visible
Some superficial stone chips to the nose.
The stick-on anti-chip guards have yellowed and crazed somewhat although these could be replaced
The chassis appears in superb order; clean and free from any obvious corrosion issues or damage
In line with the ultra-low mileage, the upholstery and controls do not appear notably worn
Besides the lightest of creasing, the leather upholstery presents beautifully with minimal signs of use
The carpets present very well, as do the door cards and the headlining
The walnut veneered dashboard looks superb
Sony DIN stereo fitted
Equipped with air conditioning; new compressor and regassed in 2023
Front and rear heated screens
Electrically adjustable door mirrors
Original boot mounted spoiler comes with the car and is easily refitted with no body work modifications

The Mechanics

3.9-litre Rover V8 with fuel injection
Five-speed manual gearbox
Quick release removable steering wheel
New clutch slave cylinder and rebuilt master cylinder in April 2023;
Front suspension bushes changed and chassis WaxOyl protected where required
New front brake discs, pads and fuel tank sender unit in June 2023
Upgrade to servo assistance and new rear brake discs, pads and in August 2023
Replacement fuel tank and petrol pump
Adjustable rear Protech and front Spax shock absorbers
Serviced on 25th September 2024
No advisories recorded during last MOT

BEFORE YOU BUY

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