1968 | Marcos Mantis XP

The Marcos Mantis XP was a bold British prototype built in 1968 to take on the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. Designed by the Adams brothers, it was ultra-light, aerodynamic and powered by a 3 litre Repco Brabham Formula 1 engine! The car looked ready to challenge giants.

Despite its promise, the Mantis XP never made it to the Le Mans starting grid. The car was entered for Le Mans in 1968 but unfortunately the FIA decided to postpone the 24-hours race due to student riots in Paris. The car competed for the 1000km race at Spa Francorchamps in 1968, with drivers Eddie Nelson and Robin Widows. Due to the horrendous weather conditions at Spa, the car only completed 17 of the 71 laps.

Still, the Mantis XP generates an enormous amount of interest and many nostalgic memories amongs its makers and enthusiasts! The car in this ad, is a one-off, completely made of aluminium and has to be seen to be fully appreciated! It has the 289 Ford small block engine linked to a new ZF ds-25/2 transmission. 6 pot break calipers in the front and 4 pots in the rear make it very much feel, handle and drive like a Gt40. The cockpit feeling  though is totally unique , with a ride-height of just 92 cm, the road pressence and driving experience is nothing less than spectacular!! It has a lift system in the front wheels to cope with road obstacles, and is fully road legal!!