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HIGHLIGHTS

1964 Merlyn Mk6A/RS rhd
In very good general condition
Lotus engine with only 400 km
Overhauled mechanics
Many spare parts
A significant race car, very rare and in good condition

THE APPEAL

Established in the early sixties in the small English town of Woodbridge to build racing cars primarily intended for the thriving US market, Colchester Racing Developments designed the first Merlyns, designated with the name of a a falcon species found in Wales, to compete in Formula Junior, extremely popular at the time and considered an important testing ground for emerging pilots and manufacturers.
Success came with the Mk3, piloted by Indianapolis 500 winner Roger Ward at the 1961 Bahama Speed Weeks, being so well received that it led to numerous requests for a Group C two-seater.

Thus was born the MK4, later evolved into the Mk6 and Mk6A, modified to allow the use of wider wheels and of the new, powerful and free-revving 1600 cc Lotus-Ford Twin Cam engine, which obtained excellent results in very important races such as Brands Hatch, Daytona and Goodwood.

Built to compete, although extremely rare with only 12 examples produced this Mk6A Sports Racer has a significant racing history, having started its racing career in Great Britain and then being relocated to Italy, where it was owned and raced by drivers of great experience like Paolo Guaitamacchi and Giovanni Anzeloni, former World Sportscar Champion and Tyrrell driver in Formula 1, who won the Italian historic car championship in 1995 with this car.

Fitted with a 180bhp 1.6-litre Lotus engine purchased in 2002, the car has only been driven for 400 km since then and is in spotless condition, with undamaged and very attractive bodywork and efficient mechanics.

This Merlyn is complemented with a great number of spare parts, including many gearbox components, a crown and pinion, eight rims, a complete spare fiberglass bodywork and molds which can be used to build other bodyworks.

Ready to race on the track and to compete, once its FIA homologation Fiche has been renewed, this beautiful Mk6A will not fail to attract the attention of accomplished drivers and enthusiasts of historic car racing, who will appreciate its great quality and glorious history.

THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK

Built in 1964
Six previous owners
FIA file n. 608
Technical passport n. 07593

This rare Merlyn comes with an ample documentation which reports its changes of ownership and sporting career.

All modifications and updates have been carefully noted.

Owned by the seller since 2002, it has only been taken to the track three times since then, but has been kept in good working order.

The car is equipped with a FIA Fiche which has now expired and will have to be renewed before using it for racing.

THE INTERIOR

Cockpit in good condition
Plexiglass windshield and windows
FIA 98 approved roll-cage
New period-correct gauges

Being a British racing car from the early 1960s, the interior is extremely spartan and designed for track driving. The cockpit is finished in aluminium and features a black dashboard, which houses new period-correct fully functional Starch and Smiths gauges.

The roll-cage, compliant with FIA 98 regulations, leaves room for only one racing seat.

Strapped in the driver's seat the view is exciting, with the gearbox with exposed linkage mounted on the right in an easy-to-reach position and a total and incomparable view of the entire car, above the low plexiglass windscreen and windows.

The equipment includes a battery disconnect switch, a fire extinguishing system and two rear-view mirrors.

THE EXTERIOR

In very good condition overall
Fibreglass bodywork
Spare bodywork
Plexiglas windshield and windows
The car now has 4 Tecnomagnesio wheels and 8 spare wheels (4 of them are Tecnomagnesios and the other 4 are originals Merlyn branded wheels)

Having been scarcely driven in the last twenty years, the extremely low and compact bodywork is in very good condition.
The lightweight front and rear fibreglass shells open completely, giving access to all the mechanics and to the tubular frame.

The perfectly transparent plexiglass windows and windshield and the headlight covers are free of scratches or abrasions.

The yellow Tecnomagnesio rims contrast pleasantly with the dark green bodywork and make the car unmistakable in the paddock and on the track.

Eight additional wheels come with the car.

The appearance is that of an original car preserved with the utmost care and scrupulously maintained, marked by an unmistakable and aggressive silhouette with an almost continuous line from the front to the tail, a forward view that inspires respect and reverence and a rounded rear with minimal overhangs that wraps the large tires.

THE MECHANICS

1598cc four-cylinder DOHC Lotus engine with 180 HP
Two Weber 45 DCOE carburettors
Hewland MK5 5-speed gearbox
Aluminium fuel tank replaced in 2022
Scrupulous maintenance
Efficient and reliable

Like all racing cars, this Merlyn has received numerous technical updates over the years and many components have been replaced.

The improvements have been performed by expert mechanics with long experience in competitions.

In 2002, the Mk6A gained a new 1.6 liter twin cam Lotus engine (No. LP31821BA) purchased from the well known British specialist Burton Power Ltd., with 180.04 horsepower at the wheel at 8000 rpm, which gives to this very light car extraordinary performance.

Since then, the car has been driven only on rare occasions and the engine has only 400 km.

The Hewland MK5 5-speed gearbox has been completely overhauled together with the self-locking differential and a Tilton double copper discs clutch unit with the relative hydraulic control has been installed.

The four big Girling disc brakes have been overhauled and rectified and come with different sets of pads for track or hill-climbing use. The master cylinder has been replaced.

All wheel bearings have been replaced and the steering box has been overhauled.

The radiator has been overhauled and all lines and fittings have been replaced.

The oil cooler has been replaced with an Alusteel unit.

The electrical system was completely redone in 2000/2001.

The suspension is independent on all four wheels. The rear Koni shock absorbers were overhauled and the front ones replaced.

The fuel tank was specially made in aluminium in 2022.

Numerous spare parts will be delivered to the buyer together with the car, including many gearbox components, a crown and pinion, eight rims, a second complete fiberglass bodywork and the molds needed to build other bodyworks.

SUMMARY

Developed to challenge Coopers and Lotuses in the hard-fought and popular sports car championships of the sixties and extremely competitive, the Merlyn Mk6s earned the respect of enthusiasts and conquered a very important place in the history of sports cars racing.

Much appreciated and extremely effective in vintage races, they are now highly sought-after, with prices on the rise.

Its rarity, its victories, the prestigious provenance and the rich endowment of rare and useful spare parts and components are important elements that contribute to increase the value and importance of this particular car, coming with a fascinating history and with mechanics in very good condition and scrupulously set up.

With the unmistakable silhouette of an uncompromising racing car from the early sixties, ready to give great emotions on the track and to participate in a myriad of vintage races all over the world as soon as its homologation has been renewed, this very rare Merlyn Mk6A/RS represents an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished vintage racer or an enthusiast who wants to experience the overwhelming emotions of a real, uncompromised racing car, always maintained with competence and dedication.

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