Friday 9 December 2016

Found: the Le Mans Mini Marcos!

We got 'm!

It has taken me at least a year of my life and quite a lot more of my bank account. But after three nerve wrecking months and a mad 5,000 kilometer journey through Europe, I can now confirm that the most legendary of all Mini derivatives is still alive. In fact I bought it: the Mini Marcos that came 15th overall at the 24-hours race of Le Mans in 1966. Also known as Le Mans' most heroic entry.
It's not more than a bare shell with doors and modified bonnet in their original blue and yellow hidden behind many more layers of paint; a massive petrol tank and an adjustable pedal box. But what a find...

When I photographed it today I stumbled upon details I hadn't even noticed before. This car is full of history marks and I'll share some of the details in the coming days here. I'm a happy man. Stay tuned.



28 comments:

  1. Excellent find Jeroen, I know it will bring you hours of joy !!! Happy christmas.

    Ian.

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  2. Glad you could make it ! What a fantastic piece of history. Good luck and patience before being able to go to Le Mans with it !

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  3. Fantastic! I look forward to your story!!!

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  4. Carl Braun - Landar R79 December 2016 at 16:27

    Great find ... I'm so happy you found it and own it. I'm also looking forward to reading about the battle marks and etc.

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  5. Well done Jeroen, You'll have your work cut out to get it finished in time for Bltyton though;)

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    1. Finished or not (and I don't think it will be); I'll try to bring it, Mark!

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  6. Sounds like a fantastic find, well done!
    Don't forget to post loads of pictures, the long range tank and the pedal box sound interesting.

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    1. Thank you. You bet I'll write more about it here.

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  7. Well done Jeroen. What a find!!!

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  8. Geweldig Jeroen! Gefeliciteerd met deze fantastische vondst!!

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  9. Real great - would like to find the mini marcos Jem Marsh raced here in the Kyalami 9hour

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    1. Thank you. I think the car you mean was in fact found and restored in Zimbabwe some time ago now. See also here: http://maximummini.blogspot.com/2011/07/minis-at-le-mans-1967.html

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  10. Jeroen - Fantastic !
    It must have had your name on it.
    Andy

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    1. Thanks Andy! I like to think that (although I am not too sure)

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  11. Yes , get it rolling and bring it to Blyton! :-) Well done Jeroen! Pete Flan

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    1. Thanks mate! I'll do my best to get it over in 2017.

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  12. Hij had niet beter terecht kunnen komen! Gefeliciteerd Jeroen. Dennis van Eck

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  13. Wow jeroen did it take some tracking down
    You must beso pleased to have tracked it down

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    1. It did indeed take some tracking, but I am very pleased with it! Thanks Mark.

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  14. The gel coat on the Le Mans car was green, and the rear wheel arches were pop-rivetted on.
    Billy Dulles

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    1. Good to hear of you. Could you please drop me a line on jeroen at jeroenbooij dot com ?

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