|
The Marcos 1500 GT was launched in 1966
mainly due to diminishing sales and production costs of the 1800, the whole
manufacturing process was streamlined. The introduction of Ford's 1500 GT engine
fitted in perfectly with the this new model. With 85bhp in standard form, and
less weight than the 1800, this became a popular model. Under 100 cars were produced at Greenland Mills
between 1966 and 1967.
Construction of the wooden chassis was simplified to
cut the cost of production and reduce build time. One of the main changes to the
chassis being elliptical torsion boxes as opposed
to the triangular type of the 1800. The front sub frame was again simplified by
using 1 1/2" square tubing as opposed to 1/2" inch diameter round tube of the
1800. The Independent Rear Suspension was dropped in favour of live axle.
The 1500 was externally identical to
the last of the 1800's. Early cars had a bonded in windscreen which was later changed to rubber gasket type.
At this time the traditional suspended headlining was also dropped and a foam
backed fabric lining was bonded directly to the inside of the roof panel. The bodystyle stayed the same right throughout this
model.
The early cars had the classic french
polished walnut veneer dashboard, as opposed to the 1800 with its space age
facia. this more conventional flat dashboard still
proved too costly to manufacture. After a short period it was discontinued and
replaced by a similar but mass produced wood effect dash.
|
