Marcos Mantis XP: A disaster!
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Marcos Mantis XP: A disaster!

The story of a leaky prototype ...

Known for their small Mini, the designers at Marcos went on an adventure in 1968 with the construction of a larger futuristic coupe. Failing to flood the U.S. market, it flooded at Spa!

Designed by Dennis Adams, the Marcos Mantis XP was the most ambitious project ever undertaken by Marcos cars. It astounds at first glance with its large and fully transparent Plexiglas doors. Initially, the roof of the prototype was even made in one transparent piece! Another original concept was the central cell made of plywood, also in use for the other Marcos cars. The engine, the Brabham-Repco V8 derived from the Formula 1 engine was comparable to that of the Ford GT40 V8 - (giving 310 hp).

The first start of the Mantis XP, the 1,000 km of Spa in 1968 turned into a fiasco. Arriving at the circuit on Saturday, May 25, the day before the race, it qualified in 5'13", nearly 100 seconds from pole position. The race turned into a nightmare for the driver Jem Marsh, the co-founder of the English brand. In the pouring rain, the car - including the plexiglas doors which did not seal - was flooded on the first lap and forced to stop for a drain hole to be drilled in the chassis but there was too much damage (!) and the water effect on the alternator was unrepairable.

At the same time, the students' demonstrations and social trouble in France caused the postponement of the 24 Hours of Le Mans to September. It was too late though for the small Marcos factory due to major financial problems that lead to bankruptcy in 1972 (it would rise again in 1981). This was a lesser evil, perhaps, for the strange concept that probably would not have benefited from the hellish conditions of the race.

Since then, the Mantis XP has found refuge in sunny California. Restored, it is one of the regular stars of major historical events. A fair reward for its visionary designer Dennis Adams.

Julien HERGAULT / ACO - Translated by Tony Light/ACO

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