page_title: Marcos GT
section_title: Ford four-cylinder models
hierarchical_section_title: Marcos GT / Marcos 1800 GT / Ford four-cylinder models
caption_attribution_description: English: A 1967 Marcos 1600GT raced by Richard Brown. As indicated by the badging, this one has since had a V8 engine installed, necessitating a non-standard bonnet bulge. Ready to race at Lime Rock, 2014. Some sources refer to this car as an "early V8 prototype", dunno if this carries any truth.
context_page_description: The Marcos GT is the name used by the British firm of Marcos Engineering Ltd for all of their cars until the introduction of the Mantis in 1970. Most commonly, the name is used to describe the very low coupé designed by brothers Dennis and Peter Adams.
  The car was first introduced as the Marcos 1800 in 1964, with a wooden chassis and a Volvo P1800 engine, although later models had a steel chassis and commonly Ford engines although others were also available. The majority of these sports cars were sold in kit form.
  The car was out of production from 1972 until 1981, when small scale kit production recommenced. The original GT continued to be built until 1989 or 1990, being developed into its altered Mantula form. This was further developed into more powerful and aggressively-styled designs, culminating in the 1994 LM600.
  As was the intent with most Marcos products, the GT series saw much competition use. The original 1800 and other 1960s and 1970s Marcos are still competitive in both FIA and HSCC historic racing series.
context_section_description: In 1966 the GT was changed to a pushrod inline-four Ford Kent engine of 1500 cc, in order to lower costs as the 1800 had been rather too expensive to market. The complex dash was also replaced with a flat polished wood unit, which was soon downgraded further yet to a mass-produced "wood-effect" one. Power and performance were both down on the 1800, but sales increased considerably. To hide the fact that a common Ford engine was used, Marsh replaced the rocker covers with Marcos ones and switched from Weber to Stromberg carburetors.
  An overbored Lawrencetune 1650 cc version was made available in 1967 (32 built) to ameliorate the power shortage, for the Marcos 1650 GT. The 1650 also had bigger disc brakes and a standard Webasto sunroof, but proved somewhat less than reliable. It and the 1500 were both replaced by Ford's new Crossflow four not much later, in late 1967. The 1600 proved to be the most popular model yet, with 192 cars built until early 1969. Weight was 740 kg (1,631 lb) and disc brakes up front were standard, although power assist was an optional extra. Production ended in October 1969 as the new steel chassis was not well suited for the crossflow engine. A new model, the 2 litre, appeared at the January 1969 London Show with the engine changed to the Ford Essex V4 engine (3006E) from the Ford Corsair - while a V6 engine had already appeared at the top of the lineup in 1968. Also in 1969 (June), the plywood chassis was gradually replaced by a square section steel one, which shortened production time and saved on cost. These steel framed cars required a lower sill panel and have reshaped rear bumpers, as well as some subtle interior differences. The wooden chassis had also begun to meet a certain amount of resistance from buyers. There seem to have been no V4-engined wooden cars made, although there is a few months overlap between the introduction dates.
  The V4 received most of the same standard and optional equipment (except the overdrive) and the same central bonnet bulge as did the V6 models; very few of the Marcos 2 litres still have their V4 engines, as a V6 swap is a rather quick job and makes for a much faster car than the original's 85 hp (63 kW). Some period sources mention 88 PS (65 kW; 87 hp) DIN and 104 PS (76 kW; 103 hp) SAE. Not exactly a success story, 78 2 litres were most likely built, although numbers as low as 40 have also been mentioned.
  Power for the 1500 is also 85 hp (63 kW), with the fragile Lawrencetune model having 120 hp (89 kW). The 1600 Crossflow produces about 100 hp (75 kW), thanks to a number of official Ford Performance Center parts. As a side note, six steel-chassied Marcos 1600 (with the Mark 2 "A711M" Crossflow engines) were built in late 1971 and early 1972. Built to provide a low-priced entry level version, these were rather spartan, with stripped down interiors, no bumpers, steel wheels, and no headlight covers.
caption: The distinct rear of a 1967 Marcos 1600, modified for competition (USA)
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