General

The unofficial Marcos calendar

feeds@kickapps.com (brian coleman) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:25:49 PST

Yes Folks, it's that time of the year again when I start asking for pictures of your Marcos for my unofficial calendar. If you have an original picture (that I haven't used before), preferably with a nice background, please send it to contracts@evergreenelectrical.co.uk and I will add you to my list. When I have the whole calendar finished I will e-mail a copy to you. I print mine on Epsom Premuim Glossy A4 photo paper and the results are superb.

If you have a particular month in which you would like your car to feature, let me know - first come first served

Brian

PS If you don't have a picture and you just want a copy of the calendar, e-mail me anyway

Autotune Mirage: conclusion

feeds@kickapps.com (VincentBlightning) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:52:17 PST

Well, I have now purchased the Autotune Mirage - mentioned in an earler post. At the point of sale, literally seconds before handing over £2500, the car, which had been ticking over calmly, suddenly erupted in a cloud of steam. I immedialely reduced my offer to £2000 - which was happily (for me) accepted.

The car is now in my garage and I am trying to sort out the overheating problem. I have had the radiator, which was leaking slightly and possibly blocked, re-cored and I am now replacing the fan which was irratic and very feeble at best.

The car seems to have an identity crises as it is badged both as a Marcos Mantis and as an Autotune Mirage! Hopefully the car will soon be on the road to be enjoyed alongside my Mantis quad cam.

I've just counted the cars in my garden and the total has crept up to 7 - indicating that I do indeed suffer from 'multiple car ownership' syndrome! Something will have to go - the 2CV possibly!

To MOT or not to MOT

feeds@kickapps.com (johnvgraham) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:14:01 PST

Hi
A bit of interesting info

I finished building my Mantula and first registered it from August 2008. One year later I duly received notification From DVLA to renew the tax disc which I did online. A further year later at August 2010 I again received the renewal reminder from DVLA. I tried to renew it online again as the previous year but the system refused to proceed unless I had a current MOT. I tried phoning DVLA but its a complete waste of time as the speaking message is not relevant to your type of question. I did manage to speak to the VOSA department where I had my SVA carried out at Gillingham and they said I didn`t need an MOT until 3 years after the first registration. I explained what I had experianced in my attempt to renew the tax but VOSA advised that DVLA make the rules and I must sort it out with them.

I then made a personal visit to the DVLA office at Sidcup and they insisted that as my car was a kit it now needed an MOT even though it...

cutting out

feeds@kickapps.com (tony261) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:32:47 PST

Hi all you may remember a few days ago i was having probs with the way my marcos was running,thanx for the replies it turned out to be the E C U/fuel control unit.I cant get this part anymore so ive had this one re-conditioned and the car is now fine,not a cheap fix but i had no choice.

The Wheel Gallery

feeds@kickapps.com (OldNoccer) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:14:06 PST

There have been several threads about wheels, from fitting new slim ones to finding sets of original ones for older cars. I thought that as a bit of an experiment I would try creating a thread to collect pictures of wheels with any responses such as additional pictures, names, dates, tyre sizes etc added on. Not sure how well this will work, but lets see. If you reply with extra info or pics then I can edit them into the top post (until either you get fed up or I do!).

*** Update 3/9/2010 - I have started changing to using thumbnail links to PhotoBucket allowing you to click on the images and see a higher resolution - plus those images with a black border link to images of the entire car ***

First Generation Wheels - up to 1972

The early GT cars had magnesium elektron wheels as an option costing an extra £20 each (eek!) - these had a huge 6" rim width. Presumably the standard wheels were steel -...

Marcos from France ( and wheel question)

feeds@kickapps.com (Hispano) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 20:04:56 PST

I have realize my dream,drive a Marcos

I have just buy this Marcos V6 Ford 3.0,after some work on the engine the car is running perfectly.

I want change this 17" wheel by minilite models but i dont know the good size 6" or 7" x 14" or 15" ??????? and size of the tyres.
Thank you for your assistance and sorry for my english!

CMI and Marcos owners club

feeds@kickapps.com (boycey) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:04:37 PST

Although I have not been able to have much involvment with events etc this year i have noticed there appears to be some kind of problem with the two clubs and how it is effecting the members.

As you all know I have very much enjoyed being part of the Marcos world regardless of what club I am a member of, for me it is more about the ownership than getting a magazine and the events that I have attended over the past few years have been excellent and has given me the opportunity to make friends.

It is such a shame that there is now this split between the two clubs and as Marcos is a very small community can we afford to have this who are we staying loyal to situation?.

I would like to mention one thing and sorry Richard if you do not like this but I cannot believe that after some one who has devoted most of his life to Marcos and has been an exceptional loyal member has been alledgelly thrown off the commitee and is no longer able to organise events. Richard...

Fitting a cigarette lighter charging point

feeds@kickapps.com (Cool Mart) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:51:48 PST

I need to fit a cigarette lighter socket so I can charge the Sat Nav etc while I'm out in the Marcos. The plan is to fit the socket in the glove compartment and connect it somewhere behind the dash.

My question is, what circuit behind the dash should I connect it to that will handle approximately 300mA (without requiring a fuse change) and that won't interfere with any of the other electrics ?

Martin

Autotune Mirage

feeds@kickapps.com (VincentBlightning) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:49:25 PST

On Sunday I'm going to see the Mirage Autotune that's been punted all over the place recently. I have negotiated the price down from the asked £3500 to £3000. It's allegedly very low mileage, less than 5k since 1973 I'm told, but the driver's seat is badly split and near collapse I understand - which doesn't quite equate! It's clearly got the wrong wheels and the 4 cylinder Ford engine doesn't appeal nor does the plastic rear screen. Does anyone here own one or have any information or advice on them? I can't make up my mind whether to go for it or wait to see if an illusive Mantis 2+2 turns up. Anyone?

cutting out

feeds@kickapps.com (tony261) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:27:43 PST

Hi all took my marcos for a run and the last three times ive ran it ive had a problem,when the engine is cold and i start it the car will not hold tickover i have to put my foot on the gas to keep it running it splutters and chucks smoke out the back when i drive it the car feels like its missfireing but it still picks up speed with no probs,once its warmed up i still have the problem untill i turn off the engine then i restart it and it suddenly rights itself and everything is ok any help would be great THANX.

Terry Tree on the road to recovery

feeds@kickapps.com (lm95) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:53:46 PST

Many CMI members who attended the Annual Rally at Castle Combe last Sunday will be aware that Terry became unwell at the Rally. Katie, Terry's wife has written to Isobel to say that Terry got worse after leaving the Rally, but is now on the road to recovery.

Katie's letter is reproduced in full on the News page on the CMI website.

Technical information on-line on the Forum

feeds@kickapps.com (The Quiffster) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 22:46:14 PST

Following a conversation about long-lost documentation with Gary H at the rally last weekend, I have made available some technical documentation in the Mantis section which can be downloaded. See the section heading for the link.

First of all, I'm happy to update the parts list as & when people identify part numbers with confidence. Secondly I'm happy to host similar documents for the other models if anyone would like to share (no 1Tb files please!), & link in from the relevant Forum section.

FITTING A SUPERCHARGER

feeds@kickapps.com (marco mantara) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 05:32:10 PST

Hi --a query.
   Out of curiosity (and it depends on practicality and cost !) l've been looking at the possibilty of supercharging my Mantara. l know some Range Rovers had/have them fitted. and there was a supercharged Mantara for sell a few months ago! Apparently Rimmers offer kits and Eaton superchargers are used .
   Is it a "simple" bolt on option?   Do the cylinder heads need reworking (in the back of my mind ,there's something about lowering the compression ratio)
   Is the 3.9 engine upto it? (or will a "blower" blow it?)
   ls there room under the bonnet?
   ln a nutshell is it worth considering?

Marcos on Top Gear

feeds@kickapps.com (jon brookes) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:58:38 PST

This Sundays Top Gear will be the one where Roger and Mike took their cars to Blackpool to take part in the filming.

Taking the Marcos on holiday

feeds@kickapps.com (The Quiffster) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:13:55 PST

Another Away Win

feeds@kickapps.com (Mike009 Gardner) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:20:20 PST

I was doing Sporting Bears `Dream Rides` in the Mantara at Kimbolton Castle Classic Car & Country Fayre last Sunday.

First guy to book a ride is already by the car , pooring over it and taking photos from all angles. Clearly a conniseur thinks I.
Do the intro`s , he gets in , asks lots of questions, parts availability etc etc , is Jem still around ( very much so ). Clearly knows Marcos.
Commence ten mile blast on country roads , favourable comments start.
Ask what he drives , he`s got a *** Chimeara !!!!!!! Has always admired Marcos as soooooooo different , rarer , loves styling .
I keep quiet for rest of trip to let him form his own oppinion ( yes I know that rare for me !).
Get back to castle, he`s well impressed, the comfort, the handling, the noise, the view down the bonnet.
we bid fairwell, he goes off to discuss with "the wife" , I think he`s hooked !

An away win me thinks.

Marcos owners club magazine

feeds@kickapps.com (Martyn123) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:26:02 PST

Hi,

Whilst I think both clubs do a excellent job in producing their own magazine, I just wanted to state the latest offering from the MOC that arrived on my doormat this morning is quite suberb right from the cracking front cover photo to the really useful chassis section info inside, a really good read and thanks to John and the team for all their efforts in this great mag,

Regards,

Martyn.......

How much petrol does a Marcos fuel tank hold?

feeds@kickapps.com (Jack) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:34:54 PST

Been having a look through my service book and I can not find the petrol tank capacity anywhere, anyone know how much petrol a Marcos fuel tank holds? And so that this thread is as informative as possible... do the later cars have a different tank capacity to the earlier ones?

Although I didm't get it done in time....

feeds@kickapps.com (cazzer) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:45:29 PST

I now have a steady idle.....stage one complete

http://s455.photobucket.com/albums/qq273/mandatum/?action=view¤t=VIDEO0006.mp4

Sunroof Help!

feeds@kickapps.com (TriumphWrench) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:49:05 PST

Would welcome some advice/opinions from my fellow Marcos aficionados.

Having spent a couple of months and many hours of hard graft, I’ve finally got the body tub of my Marcos stripped (4 re-sprays and a colour change). However this has revealed a number of issues that need to be addressed before the tub is refitted. Most of which are straight forward to deal with but the one that has me pondering what to do with, is the roof.

When I got the car it was fitted with a aftermarket glass sunroof, I assumed that the car originally came with no sunroof and this was added afterwards. But after stripping the car it became clear that the car originally came with the Webasto type. When this aftermarket roof was fitted who ever did it had to fill about 10cm of gap with some fibreglass...