Mini Marcos

The Mini Marcos GT was the racing version of the Mini Marcos, Mini Marcos also, a sports car that was built from 1965 to 1970 in a limited edition with Marcos in the UK. Between 1974 and 1981, the model was produced under license with the British coachbuilder D & H Fibreglass Techniques before 1991 Marcos again took over the production and the car surrendered to 1996.

The car had a checkered history of development. The concept for a compact coupe that was based on the bottom plate of the Mini, was originally developed by British car designer Dizzy Addicott and went through several hands before it landed at Jem Marsh, the co-owner of the automotive brand Marcos. In their Mini Marcos as a kit car was produced and got a fiberglass body.

1966 asked the French racing driver and auto dealers Jean -Louis Marnat, directly at Jem Marsh to whether there was a way to prepare a mini Marcos for the 24- hour race at Le Mans. Marsh initially had little interest in the idea. Threaded the British traders had this Bill Dulles, the Minis exported to France. Together with Marnat he could be convinced of the seriousness of the project after some negotiations Marsh. Since the Mini Marcos was a kit car and could therefore be assembled in France, and Marcos would never get in the normal way an invitation to the 24 -hour race, Marsh finally agreed. Part of the deal was also the distributor for Marcos vehicles over Dulles in France.

The car received, the good contacts of Dulles, a new BMC -1 ,3 -liter 4- cylinder engine. Marnat reported next to his compatriot Claude Ballot - Léna as second pilot, and Jean -Pierre Jabouille and René Trautmann as reserve driver. The ACO accepted the message and after 24 hours of racing time the small Marcos was the only British vehicle in the target and peaked in the 15th place.

It was also the first finish for a mini GT in a sports car race. Marnat had been a test for Le Mans with Jean -Pierre Jabouille the 1000- km race at Monza at the start, but could not classify themselves there.

Inspired by the success of Marnat published in the next few years repeatedly Mini GT in international sports car racing. 1967 piloted in the 1000 km race at the Nürburgring Guy Edwards and Peter Anslow a mini GT at the 23rd place overall. They were thus five ranks behind the factory Mini GT, who drove across the finish line in 18th place. In the long distance races in Le Mans the factory Mini retired with gearbox failure. Best place for a mini GT was the ninth overall by Jim Marsh in the Coppa Città di Enna 1967.

• Sport car
• Racing cars in the 24 Hours of Le Mans