1959 - 1963

1963 - 1964

1963 -  1994

1994 - 2002

The word Xylon comes from the Greek for wood. Manufactured from 1959 to 1960 this was the first of the Marcos models. Powered by the Ford 105E engine, the cars were originally built in Dolgellau in Wales, and then later in Luton. Of the 9 cars built, most were competition cars, and were driven with great success by the likes of Sir Jackie Stewart and Jackie Oliver.  

The Luton Gullwing, introduced in 1961, was based on the Xylon.  the car was sold in both race and road form, and with the use of more fibreglass in the construction, a more streamlined shape was obtained. Utilising the same running gear as the Xylon, 13 cars were produced in Luton.

The final model prior to the introduction of the classic Marcos two seater was the Fastback, introduced in 1963. 18 cars were produced, including the first ever Marcos Spyder, at Greenland Mills, Bradford on Avon, now to be the home of Marcos for the next 7 years.

Unveiled at the 1964 Earls Court Racing Car Show, the 1800 Volvo powered Marcos GT stole the show. This was a  totally new car and a shape way ahead of its time, designed by the Adam's brothers.  Produced from 1964 to 1966, there were approximately 100 cars built at Greenland Mills, Bradford On Avon. 

After the 1800 came the 1500, a wooden chassis car using the Ford 1500 GT pre crossflow engine. Under 100 cars were produced at Greenland Mills between 1966 and 1967.  

Based on the 1500, with the same wooden chassis, the 1650 was launched. It was fitted with the Chris Laurence 1650 engine, and around 30 cars were produced in 1967.

The 1600 followed the 1500/1650 with the introduction of Fords new  1600 crossflow engine. The car was virtually identical to the 1500 / 1650, with a few minor alterations.  Of all the early series cars, this proved to be one of the most popular with around 200 cars being built at Greenland Mills, Bradford on Avon between 1967 and 1969.

The original Marcos Mantis was produced in 1968. Powered by a Formula 1 Repco Brabham engine, It was a one off car built for racing, and was not intended for production. The XP now resides in the USA.

The Mini Marcos began life in 1965, and has carried on to the present day. Over the years it has gone through various forms and over 1300 cars have been produced.

In 1969 the Marcos 3 litre was introduced using the Ford V6 engine and gearbox.  Changes in the car included an upholstered dash, power bulge on the bonnet and electric windows. 119 cars were built at Greenland Mills, Bradford on Avon. 

In 1969 now based in Westbury, Marcos introduced the Metal chassis car. Visually similar to the 3 litre wooden chassied car, but utilising a 1.5 inch square tubular steel chassis. 196 cars were made.

2 Litre V4

From 1969 to 1971 the 2 Litre Ford V4 engine and gearbox were offered as an alternative to the V6 using the same metal chassis. This car was not as popular as the 3 Litre and was considered underpowered. 78 cars were produced. 

Built from 1969 to 1972, with the American market in mind, Marcos went back to using a Volvo engine, this time the B30 straight six from the Volvo 164. The main distinguishing feature being the offset power bulge to accommodate the carburettors. 172 cars were produced.

Between 1970  and 1971 the Mantis M70 was launched. It was the only four seater Marcos produced. The Mantis featured a 1.5 inch square section tubular chassis and ran the triumph 2.5 PI engine and gearbox. 32 cars were made in all. 

In 1971, the 2.5 Triumph engined car was available. This was based on exactly the same format as the 3 Litre Volvo, but using the 2.5 Litre carb Triumph engine and 4 speed gearbox. Only 12 cars were made and were externally indistinguishable from the 3 Litre Volvo. 

From 1971 to 1972, an economy version of the 1600 with a Metal Chassis was produced, utilising the Ford MK2 1600 cross flow engine and gearbox. The car had no bumpers,  sills or  head lamp covers. It was built to a somewhat basic specification. Only 6 cars were produced.

The 3 litre shape was reintroduced in 1981 in component form to  the following engine options:  3 Litre Essex V6, 2.8 Cologne V6, 1600 Crossflow, 2 Litre / 2.5 Triumph straight six, 2 Litre Ford Pinto and the 2.0 Ford V4. Around 130 of these self build cars were produced from 1982  through until 1989/90.

The Mantula Coupe was introduced in 1983, based on the 3 Litre with revised styling, the Rover V8 engine and an updated interior. Very few of these cars were factory built, the majority being in component form, approximately 170 cars left the factory between 1983 and 1992.

The Mantula Spyder was introduced in 1985. This was the introduction of the first convertible Marcos, bar the Fastback in Spyder form. very few cars were factory built, 119 spyders were produced from 1985 to 1992.

In 1991 the Martina was launched, it was based on the Mantula shape as a budget version of the model. Nearly all Martina's were component cars utilising the engine, transmission and suspension from the Ford Cortina MK 4 & 5. Both spyders and coupe were produced and engines varied from 1600 Pinto to Cologne V6. Approximately 80 cars were produced through till 1994.

Based on the Mantula V8 injection, the Mantara was launched in 1992. It featured a re-vamped body and an updated interior. The main feature of the car being the front suspension that was modified to use the McPherson strut. All cars from this time onwards were factory built. The Mantara also had the option of fitting the 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo Tomcat engine. 137 Mantara's in all were produced at the factory in Westbury from 1992 to 1998.

The LM 500 road cars were introduced in 1994 to compliment the success of Marcos in the British GT Championships in 1994/95 and competing at Le Mans in 1995.  Powered by the 4.0 (LM 400) and 5.0 (LM 500) Rover V8 engines, 35 LM's in total were built from 1995 to 1998 including one LM 200 that was bound for Greece.

The LM series of cars brought Marcos back into the fore front of GT racing in 1994. Two factory cars sponsored by Computacenter dominated. 7 cars in all were produced.

The LM600 race car won the British GT Championship in 1995, 3 cars were built as homologated race cars,  but not produced in road going form. These were the first cars to use the Chevrolet engine.

In 1997, the Mantis was launched. It was a successor to the LM range of cars, and the most powerful road going Marcos ever produced. Powered by the 4.6 Ford Mustang engine and drive train, the Mantis   GT version was available producing 500 bhp in  supercharged intercooled form. 51 cars in all were produced from 1997, the last being built in 2002 by Marcos Heritage.

The Mantis challenge car was produced for the Marcos one make race series in 1998 / 99. Running the Ford Mustang engine, it was built to full FIA race specification. 38 cars were built and many of which are still performing to this day. 

The TS 250 (Marcasite) was launched in 2002. Based on the Mantaray it ustilised  the same Marcos steel chassis and McPherson struts as per the earlier Mantara, LM and Mantis models, but was developed with the Ford Duratech 2.5 V6 engine. Only 7 of these cars were made.

In 2003 the TS 500 came along with a restyled bonnet and was fitted with a 5 Litre Rover derived V8 Javelin engine. Less than a handful of these cars were made.

In 2005, Marcos Heritage launched the Heritage MK VI  derived directly from the Mini Marcos MK V from the 1990's with subtle updates. The car is only supplied in component form and is still available today in both Road and GT versions. 

More Info .....

The TSO range incorporated a 5.7 Cheverolet engine into the restyled Marcos. The styling broke away from the traditional Marcos profile incorporating many new features bringing Marcos into the 21st Century.  Shortly after the TSO came along, the GT, GT2, GTC and RT versions were launched spanning from 2004 through til 2007. Less than 12 cars in all were made.

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Marcos Heritage Ltd, Littleton Garage, Semington, Nr Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 6LF

Tel:  01380 871717    Fax:  0 1380 870923     sales@rory.uk.com