1987 Marcos Mantula 3.9

The Marcos marque was founded in Dolgellau North Wales in 1959 by Jem Marsh and Frank Costin. In 1971 the company moved to a new purpose built factory at Westbury Wiltshire.  Failure with exporting cars to the USA and overheads on the new premises meant that the company folded in 1971. The Rob Walker Group of Companies acquired the assets in the same year, forming Marcos Limited.  In 1972 stock was sold off in the Westbury factory with the intention of moving to a smaller factory.  Jem Marsh was still involved in the car business and eventually bought back the Marcos name in 1976 and rebranded it again in 1981. The car by then was sold in kit form.  Again the company folded in 2000 and was bought by Canadian Tony Stelliga and over the next seven years struggled to make a success in this niche market and therefore ceased production in October 2007.

Only one word is needed to describe this Marcos Mantula 3.9: fabulous. Purchased by its motor engineer owner in 2009, the Mantula then underwent an extensive, no expense spared full body-off restoration. The chassis has been checked, rebuilt and rustproofed with Waxoyl, the body fixings replaced, the wiring has been renewed and the bulkhead is insulated for heat protection. The battery has been relocated to the boot compartment with a master switch fitted, and a new fuel pump, rear lamps and a sound system have been installed. The braking and steering systems, together with the suspension, have all been fully overhauled.

The Rover V8 engine and five speed gearbox were professionally rebuilt and uprated, all ancillaries checked and replaced as necessary, including the radiator. The motor car is also equipped with a limited slip differential unit, a stainless steel exhaust, a half leather interior, a walnut dashboard, Wilton carpets, and front and rear heated screens.

The full extent of the restoration is carefully detailed in the history file, which also contains build images, Marcos data, a build manual, MOT test certificates, road tax discs, correspondence from Jem Marsh of Marcos Sales Ltd, invoices and others.

If the above was not temptation enough, just to hear the Marcos’ engine running will surely make this an irresistible purchase indeed. Absolutely superb.