Description
This car is Lot 109 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at the Goodwood Members' Meeting Sale on the 13th April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Saturday 12th April from 09:00 until 17:00 and Sunday 13 April from 09:00, at Goodwood Members' Meeting.
Lot 109
1966/ 1970 Mini Marcos GT-LM Coupé (see text)
Registration no. AEA 66H
Chassis no. 7434
Rare Mini-based GT
Race-prepared. HRDC papers from 2019
Well known in HRDC circles
Goodwood Revival Fordwater Trophy contestant- 2nd place in 2019.
Having established its motor manufacturing credentials with the Marcos 1800GT of 1964, the company founded in 1959 by Jem Marsh and Frank Costin turned its attentions to the ubiquitous Mini, launching the Mini Marcos in 1965. The latter was a development of Dizzy Addicott's DART prototype, which in production form had been marketed by Jeremy Delmar-Morgan as the Mini Jem. Styled by Brian Moulton and Quasar motorcycle designer Malcolm Newell, the Mini Marcos featured a glassfibre monocoque body and was sold as a kit car for completion with Mini subframes and running gear.
The Mini Marcos progressed through Marks I to VI, notable developments along the way including aluminium window frames (Mark II); a restyled body with an optional opening rear hatch (Mark III); a Mini Traveller floorpan, standard opening rear hatch and longer wheelbase (Mark IV); restyled body, 13" wheels and wind-up windows (Mark V); and new rear lights and Perspex headlight covers (Mark VI). There have also been several changes of ownership over the years. In motor sport the Mini Marcos' main claim to fame is being the only British car to finish the 1966 Le Mans 24-Hour Race!
This race-prepared example comes with a list of former owners (including three in Italy and one in France) dating back to 1994 when it was owned in the UK by Jonathan Davey. The previous owner listed is the Marcos Motor Company, from whom our private vendor bought the car earlier this year.
In 2019 at the Goodwood Revival Meeting's Fordwater Trophy race this Mini Marcos was driven by Swiftune Mini legend Nick Swift in an epic battle for the lead with Robert Barry's more powerful Lotus Elan, eventually finishing a close second (see YouTube). Recalling the race to Bonhams in March 2025, Nick Swift remarked on the Mini Marcos' phenomenal turn of speed and how much fun he had.
The Mini Marcos comes with a V5C Registration Certificate recording the date of manufacture and first registration as 1970. However, the accompanying HRDC papers from Julius Thurgood list the year of manufacture as 1966, thus allowing the car to be raced in Grand Touring Greats 1959-1966 events. A well respected and proven car in HRDC circles, it also comes with various bills and receipts.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
