This weekend, Le Mans will host their classic event and there will be some Mini Marcoses taking part. Two of them are entered by four-men strong French teams (Berthonnet / Suzat / Leclerce / Faivre-Pierret and Door / Manjard / Julienne / Carini). There's also a Deep Sanderson (Bernberg / Ugo), but the one I was looking forewords to the most was the exact replica of the legendary 1966 Marcos car, built by members of the Marcos Owners Club in the UK. Unfortunately it doesn't make it to the race this year. A statement of the club's president Roger Young:
"It is with sadness and regret that I bring the news that the 1966 'replica' car will not be able to attend this years Classic Le Mans 50th celebration. Time has been against us and has been compounded by the cars apparent 'fight' to put every obstacle it can to prolong the rebuild. It seems it's won the first round, but it hasn't been for the want of trying I can assure you. During preparation for painting it was found that parts of the car did not have any resin in the matting. Something, it would appear, that it actually has never had and could have only happened during the manufacturing process. Additionally, degradation of fibreglass due to water ingression over the years it has been stood has also been a major issue. Whilst the car is nearing the end of the repairs to the intergrity of the shell (click here for pictures-JB), it has put the project back a further six or eight weeks. This now does not give us enough time to actually build the car. I am deeply disappointed as it has been a ‘dream’ for the past 18 months, to drive the car around the circuit in this special anniversary year. The car will appear, it will run at Le Mans, just not this year I am afraid."
What a pity. For a little consolation I have amassed some photographs of other Marcoses, which also replicate the famous number 50 that surprised the world 50 years ago.
"It is with sadness and regret that I bring the news that the 1966 'replica' car will not be able to attend this years Classic Le Mans 50th celebration. Time has been against us and has been compounded by the cars apparent 'fight' to put every obstacle it can to prolong the rebuild. It seems it's won the first round, but it hasn't been for the want of trying I can assure you. During preparation for painting it was found that parts of the car did not have any resin in the matting. Something, it would appear, that it actually has never had and could have only happened during the manufacturing process. Additionally, degradation of fibreglass due to water ingression over the years it has been stood has also been a major issue. Whilst the car is nearing the end of the repairs to the intergrity of the shell (click here for pictures-JB), it has put the project back a further six or eight weeks. This now does not give us enough time to actually build the car. I am deeply disappointed as it has been a ‘dream’ for the past 18 months, to drive the car around the circuit in this special anniversary year. The car will appear, it will run at Le Mans, just not this year I am afraid."
What a pity. For a little consolation I have amassed some photographs of other Marcoses, which also replicate the famous number 50 that surprised the world 50 years ago.
This car, formerly owned by Dennis Overgaard Nielsen, was raced last weekend in Denmark
picture through Dennis Overgaard Nielsen
Dennis said: "The finish of it was not the best, but then it's a race car. Great to see it back though!"
picture through Dennis Overgaard Nielsen
This Mk4 is owned by Manuel Ferrão of Portugal and is also regularly seen at the track
Picture courtesy clubracing-pt.blogspot.com
Like the Danish car, it's not a Mk1 but a Mk4 though - note rear hatch and longer wheelbase
Picture courtesy clubracing-pt.blogspot.com
Perhaps not exactly the right shade - this one is a proper Mk1. It's in Italy
Picture courtesy auto belle.it
It has been seen for sale several times, but I believe it's still with the same Italian owner
Picture courtesy auto belle.it
This one is owned by Frank Morskate in The Netherlands and replicates the LM car too
Picture Jeroen Booij
Despite being a Mk3 it does go into detail slightly better
Picture Jeroen Booij
There are some lovely looking Le Mans replicas here but none of them seem to have the original extended rear wheel arches.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if they are still available from anywhere?
My Mk1 has the extended wheel arches as per the Le Mans racer.
ReplyDeleteThey were used on some of the early Mk1 race cars.