Wednesday 5 December 2018

Le Mans Mini Marcos: back home (but not for long)

Almost exactly two years after finding the Le Mans Mini Marcos in Portugal and bringing it to my home, it's back there once again! And although things didn't always go as planned and time schedules were messed up in the two years in between; a lot more happened to the car then in the 43 years before, since it disappeared so mysteriously in Paris in 1975.
But it turned out to be good not to be in a hurry as the result so far is fantastic, I believe. Now... the next stage is preparing it for paint and the actual painting... Quotations are being made at this moment, but I haven't struck a deal with a painter yet. Your suggestions are welcome!

Front and bonnet now fully repaired and back to original shape. Bonnet bulges refabricated and all the holes for the extra radiator and oil cooler are back where they belong
Picture Jeroen Booij

Doors and roof were worse then expected but are fully repaired now, too. Note holes in doors for parking lights to illuminate roundel and starting number during the night
Picture Jeroen Booij

Believed impossible by some, but rear wheel arch extenders were eventually lovingly refabricated out of what was left of them. And I do have a pair of moulds now!
Picture Jeroen Booij

Double skinned floors fully repaired and roll bar refabricated and fitted just like it was at Le Mans, as described in more detail before. Underside and inside have been painted satin black now, too  
Picture Jeroen Booij

Back on the drive, but not for long. The next step is preparing and painting now...
Picture Jeroen Booij

4 comments:

  1. Hi Jeroen, that is a very satisfying stage to have reached. You must have lots of lovely metal bits ready to bolt into your fully painted shell in the, not to distant future. My Boxer tub is just about at that stage, so I know how exciting it must be for such an historic car.

    Seasons greetings

    Ian

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    1. Thank you Ian! All the best to you, too from The Netherlands.

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  2. Hi Jeroen Great progress with the Marcos i have been following the rebuild with great interest just one question could you tell me how the roll cage is fixed to the shell have you had to bond mounting plates into the shell.

    Best wishes
    Allan

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    1. Thanks Allan. The cage is bonded into the body. Four feet into the floors and the whole top beam is glassed onto the inner roof. More info here: http://maximummini.blogspot.com/2018/07/le-mans-mini-marcos-roll-cage-goes-in.html

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