Editing Marcos Engineering (section)

==Marcos returns==
[[File:Marcos GT.jpg|thumb|Marcos GT]]
Jem Marsh resurrected the Marcos brand in 1981, offering the previous GT cars as kits. Engine options included Ford's 3.0 Essex V6, 2.8 Cologne V6, 1600 Crossflow, 2.0 Pinto and 2.0 V4s, plus Triumph's 2.0 and 2.5 straight sixes. About 130 kits were sold up to 1989.

=== Marcos Mantula, Spyder and Martina ===
[[File:1989 Marcos Mantula 3.5.jpg|thumb|right|1989 Marcos Mantula]]
In 1983 the Marcos Mantula was introduced, externally very similar to the old GT, but now powered by a 3.5-litre [[Rover V8 engine|Rover V8]] with a 5-speed gearbox producing {{Convert|190|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 5280 rpm and {{Convert|220|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}} of torque at 4000 rpm. This alloy engine weighed less than the previous six-cylinder cast-iron units, reducing overall weight to about 900&nbsp;kg and making the car competitive against other Rover-powered sports cars such as TVR and Morgan. When tested by Motorweek, the Mantula completed 0-60&nbsp;mph (97&nbsp;km/h) in 5.7 seconds, with a top speed of {{Convert|136.9|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1986-10-11 |title=TVR 350i: The Rivals |url=https://x.com/motormobilias/status/1774865078124204382 |work=Motorweek}}</ref> The engine evolved into the Rover Vitesse EFi engine, and later Mantulas were fitted with the 3.9 EFi. In 1986 the model was made available as a convertible, the Marcos Spyder, which would outsell the coupés in later production. 1989 saw the introduction of independent rear suspension, together with the [[Ford Sierra]]'s 7" differential and rear disc brakes. The independent suspension allowed a full-width boot and the relocation of the battery and heater/air conditioning. A total of 170 coupés and 119 Spyders were produced.

Launched in 1991, the Marcos Martina was externally very similar to the Mantula, but with flared front wheel arches. It used the [[Ford Cortina]]'s 2-litre four-cylinder engine, steering and suspension, and approximately 80 were produced. Originally available as kits or factory-built, the cars were all factory-built from 1992. Production of the Mantula and Martina ceased in 1993.

=== Marcos Mantara, Mantara GTS and LM cars===
{{Main|Marcos Mantara}}
[[File:1997 Marcos Mantara.jpg|thumb|Marcos Mantara Spyder]]
[[File:Canmania Car show - Wimborne (9592349990).jpg|thumb|Marcos Mantara LM500 road car with a 5-litre Rover V8 engine]]
In 1992 Marcos left the kit car business, all cars from this point onwards being factory built, and launched the [[Marcos Mantara]] which was sold through dealers in limited numbers. The main difference between the Mantara and the Mantula was the adoption of [[MacPherson strut]] front suspension in place of the [[Triumph Motor Company|Triumph]] suspension and associated [[trunnion#In vehicles|trunnions]]. This change resulted in a wider front track, different bonnet, and flared front arches. The rear wheel arches and rear lights were also changed to give the car a more modern appearance. Power steering was also available for the first time. The Mantara was powered as standard by a 3.9-litre fuel injected Rover V8 or a 4.6-litre Rover V8 as an optional alternative.

The Marcos GTS was a version of the Mantara powered by the 2-litre Rover Tomcat engine, on request of the Italian distributor Martes Spider Cars. The top version was the {{convert|200|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} turbo version. The GTS version of the Mantara had a slightly different bonnet incorporating much smoother lines, flared-in headlamps, and a deeper spoiler, which was used on the later Mantaray model. A handful of late Mantara V8's were produced with the same bonnet as the 2.0 litre GTS.<ref>[http://www.rory.uk.com/Mantara.html "Mantara...", Marcos Heritage Spares]</ref>

[[File:MarcosLM600 CorEuser HH2011.jpg|thumb|Cor Euser driving a Marcos LM600 at first race of Dutch Supercar Challenge at "Preis der Stadt Stuttgart" 2011]]
For a return to GT racing, a range of modified Mantaras was also produced in the LM (Le Mans) versions. To qualify as a production vehicle, a limited number of road going cars were also made. Several versions of the LM were made such as the [[Marcos LM400|LM400]] (with a Rover 3.9-litre V8 engine), [[Marcos LM500|LM500]] (Rover 5-litre V8) and [[Marcos LM600|LM600]] (6-litre [[Chevrolet]] small-block V8). Only 30 road-going LM cars were ever built, and of these only one was a road-going LM600.

=== Marcos Mantis ===
[[File:Marcos Mantis - Flickr - exfordy.jpg|thumb|Marcos Mantis]]
[[File:2012 Marcos Mantis DSC 0694 (7427990974).jpg|thumb|Marcos Mantis GT]]
In 1997 the Mantis name was re-used on a 2-seater coupé or convertible road car based on the LM series powered by the 4.6-litre all-aluminium quad-cam [[Ford Modular engine#4-valve|Ford 'Modular' engine]] producing {{convert|327|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} and capable of {{convert|170|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}. To accommodate the engine the bonnet of the Mantis was significantly remodelled from the previous LM range (that used the Rover V8), and the upper chassis rails in the engine bay were widened. Price for the Mantis was £46,883.

In 1998 it was decided to supercharge the engine to produce one of the few British production sports car with over {{convert|500|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}}, this being named the Mantis GT. It was first sold in Italy by Martes Spider Cars. Using a Vortech supercharger and intercooler the Mantis GT engine produced {{convert|506|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}}, which could accelerate the car from 0–60&nbsp;mph in 3.7 seconds. Price for the Mantis GT was £64,331.

Production of the Mantis was 51 cars, with 16 being the supercharged GT version (this does not include the Mantis Challenge race cars).<ref>[http://www.rory.uk.com/Mantis.html "Mantis ...", Marcos Heritage Spares]</ref>

=== Marcos Mantaray ===
In 1997 the Mantara evolved into the Marcos Mantaray, with the re-styled bonnet from the Mantara GTS and with a new shape rear-end. Mechanically the car was identical to the Mantara. It was offered with 4.0 and 4.6-litre Rover V8 as well as the 2-litre, and 2-litre turbo Rover Tomcat engines.  Only 11 were made with the 4.0-litre, and seven with the 4.6-litre engine. Total factory production was 26,<ref>[http://www.rory.uk.com/The%20Marcos%20Range.html "The Marcos Range ...", Marcos Heritage Spares]</ref> plus one car in chassis/body component form.

=== Marcos Marcasite ===
[[Image:2004 Marcos TS 500.jpg|thumb|2004 Marcos TS 500 at Hampton Court Concourse in 2024.]]
In 2002, after a break in production caused by bankruptcy, a new company (Marcos Engineering Ltd) was launched with Jem Marsh as vice-chairman, and with the financial backing of Canadian Tony Stelliga, to manufacture the Marcasite TS250 with a 2.5-litre {{convert|175|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} Ford V6 followed in 2003 by the 5-litre Rover V8-powered TS500. The 2002 price of the TS250 was £29,744 +VAT, with options such as air-conditioning (£1634), full leather interior (£1626) and Hydratrak differential (£360). Other unpriced options included an elm or walnut veneer dashboard, and a newly designed hard top.

=== Marcos TSO ===
{{main|Marcos TSO}}
The [[Marcos TSO]] was launched in 2004 with a [[Chevrolet small-block engine|Chevrolet V8]] engine in either {{convert|350|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} or {{convert|400|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} versions. The car's components were [[Computer-aided design|CAD]], designed in England and its chassis engineering was completed by [[Prodrive]].  These vehicles were produced by Tony Stelliga of Marcos.

Also in 2004, the 5.7-litre [[Chevrolet Corvette]] ([[GM LS engine|LS1]]) V8 TSO GT was announced, but solely for the Australian market. It was joined in 2005 by the GT2 for the European market.

In 2006 Tony Stelliga announced the TSO GTC, a modified version of the current TSO with a racing suspension, racing brakes and a rear diffuser. The car continues on with its [[Chevrolet]]-sourced {{convert|420|bhp|abbr=on}} V8, but there was also a {{convert|462|bhp|abbr=on}} Performance Pack available as well. With the extra power from the Performance Pack the TSO GTC accelerated to {{convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} in 4.1 seconds and to {{convert|100|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} in 8.5 seconds. With the bigger {{convert|340|mm|in|abbr=on}} [[AP Racing]] brakes, the TSO GTC delivered a 0–100–0 time of 12.9 seconds, and the extra power allowed it to accelerate from 50 to {{convert|70|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} in just 2.1 seconds. Its top speed was over {{convert|185|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}.

2 prototypes and 7 production models cars exist.  Tony Stelliga's company went into liquidation in October 2007.

=== Marcos Spirit 220 ===
In 2010, Marcos Cars Limited, Marcos Engineering Limited, and the original Marcos Logo were purchased and registered by Tony Brown, who intends on relaunching the brand in the United Kingdom.

A mid-engine prototype was launched in 2013. The design was a major move away from the original front-engined designs. However, Jem Marsh was consulted during the development process. Both he and Dennis Adams gave their approval. The car has since been refined and undergone a few design changes in light of further testing.