Decision time…

Well I’ve been wasting too much time on other important stuff. The Marcos needs some attention. Some important decisions have been made this week.

Chassis modifications

Despite having found a very good welder near to where I live, I have had to look elsewhere. Weld Services no longer answer the phone and are never present at their workshop. That’s a pity because they have done some excellent work in the past.

Amazingly I may have found the perfect alternative. An automotive fabrication/repair workshop only five minutes walk from where I live! I’ve not talked to them yet, but they come very highly recommended. I had no idea that they existed. If they can do the work this will be so convenient. 

IRS saga

This really needs a whole post of its own. It’s a tale of frustration at every turn, you just wouldn’t believe how complicated this became and I’ve omitted most of the detail below. 

After buying the main IRS and chassis upgrade components from Marcos Heritage Spares nearly two years ago, I found that my fabricated rear uprights would not be strong enough and would also foul the wheel rim unless they were reduced in size and therefore made even weaker. The quote for the real Marcos designed upright from MHS was shockingly expensive, but I had no other option and ordered a set in April this year. 

The new uprights arrived about three weeks later and looked lovely at first glance. That was until I examined them more closely and found that the parts were wildly asymmetrical. I was expecting mirrored parts but these were way off.

  • The shock  mounts were in completely different locations;
  • The top wishbone mounting had insufficient clearance making them impossible to fit;
  • Worst of all, the hub mounting ring was upside-down on the near-side upright! 

I’m pleased to say that the response from Rory at MHS was faultless and he agreed to rectify the parts without any argument. I received the corrected and totally symmetrical parts on 11th June. Now I can finalise the rear end redesign safe in the knowledge that everything is built perfectly. I wonder if any other IRS uprights are as asymmetrical as my original set?

13 mm difference in vertical position.

Engine

I have been toying with the idea of ditching the Rover V8 and moving to a Chevy LS3 crate engine. It’s very tempting and the options list is really suited to my type of project. However it would be expensive and I know of one failed attempt. Reluctantly I’ve had a rare attack of common sense and will stick with the trusty old Range Rover V8. But it won’t be with the slightly tired engine that’s currently sitting in my garage. We can do better than that!

After a lot of research I have chosen a ‘Warrior’ spec 4.6 from V8 Developments. I chose this company for several reasons but mainly because of their flexible and helpful approach to my requirements. They will build an engine to suit the car and the way I want to use it. I’ll give more information in a future update. For now however I have to get hold of, or make a suitable pallet so I can get the engine to Spalding in Lincolnshire.

Back soon, plenty more to tell you as the project comes back to life.

Ian

 

Marcos 60

Marcos has just celebrated its 60th anniversary.

July 5th – 7th, 2019

A long weekend of celebrations were held in the beautiful grounds of Wroxall Abbey Hotel, Warwickshire. I travelled up there from the Isle of Wight on the Friday evening to a superb AirBnB just a few miles away from the event. 

Saturday morning started with the cars crowded around the front of the hotel with the original idea to move onto the lawns behind the hotel. Unfortunately the road down to the lawns wasn’t suitable for the low riding Marcos cars, so we all assembled in a slightly less glamorous paddock. The next few hours were spent discussing  everything Marcos with many of the car’s owners. Lots of real inspiration to help me keep my project on track.

I had arranged to get a ride in a car in Saturday afternoons cavalcade to Stratford-upon-Avon. That would have been my first drive in a Marcos for over 30 years. However, it wasn’t to be. The cavalcade was cancelled due to Stratford-upon-Avon being grid-locked because of their re-scheduled River Festival. Then it rained…

In the evening we all enjoyed the Gala Dinner. Excellent food in great company. Speeches followed then we had some genuinely enjoyable music from the Sarah Martyn Acoustic Duo. Dancing was seen but carefully avoided! 

Sunday was hot and sunny, resulting in some sunburn. But all of the cars looked wonderful. Lots of  chatting to more Marcos owners some of whom weren’t present the previous day. 

One of the unexpected things that caught my eye were the Chevy LS3 V8 engine installations in a couple of cars. I have been considering that route instead of the Rover V8 for my car. Trying to find out if it was a practical option or not. Its really tempting but maybe just one step too far for now.

It was a perfect weekend. Seeing so many of these wonderful cars and getting to talk to their owners, partners and families.

Thanks to the organisers and sponsors.