Description
H&H Classic Auction @Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
24th of April, 2024 13:00
1972 Marcos GT
Estimate
£14, 000 - £16, 000
Registration No: FRB 418L
Chassis No: 5917T
MOT: Exempt
Current ownership for some twenty-two years
1 of just 12 Marcos GTs with the Triumph 2500cc engine
Notably improved during the vendor's ownership
Extensive chassis enhancements
Marcos was founded in 1959 by Jem Marsh and Frank Costin, and it was Costin's earlier work on the De Havilland Mosquito that led to the newcomer's first monocoque chassis being constructed from marine plywood. The later Luton-built versions benefited from less radical styling by Dennis Adams and were powered by a range of Ford engines. Nine Xylons and 13 Luton Gullwings saw the light of day, many of which were raced - light and nimble, they were very successful; especially in the hands of Jackie Stewart, Jackie Oliver and Marsh himself. Costin left the company in 1961, following which all design matters fell to Dennis Adams and his brother Peter, and it was their GT of 1964 that really put Marcos on the map. By 1969 the famous wooden chassis had been usurped by a more conventional steel one, and by 1971 Ford V6 power had been exchanged for that of the Volvo straight-six engine widely used until Marcos was forced into liquidation in 1972.
Chassis 5917T was manufactured in 1972, being first registered on the road on the 21st of August that year. One of just twelve GTs fitted with the Triumph 2. 5-litre straight-six engine allied to a four-speed manual transmission with overdrive, the Marcos is finished in Red paintwork with Black vinyl interior upholstery and has a Black sunroof. In previous ownership from 1992, the Marcos is understood to have received either a full replacement (non-Marcos) chassis or extensive chassis repairs, which appear to be of a better quality than the original. Acquired by the vendor in 2002, the Marcos was running (albeit poorly) and requiring improvement when purchased.
The vendor then provided the Marcos with an engine overhaul including changing to twin SU carburettors from Strombergs and thereafter used ‘FRB 418L’ regularly for around five years. Gradually improved across the vendor's ownership, the Marcos has benefitted from bodywork improvements, paintwork throughout including the underside of the bonnet and boot, changes to enhance the usability including better headlamps and the inclusion of indicator and wiper sticks onto the steering column, a new fuel tank, and re-trimmed sunroof. Starting readily and both running and driving well during our photography session, the Marcos has been used for shows and events but has seen minimal use since the lockdown.
Supplied with previous MOTs and tax discs, old photographs, and a current V5C document, the Marcos is accompanied by the original alloy wheels. Showing some 79, 500 miles on the odometer, the Marcos has two former keepers recorded on the V5C document.
