Evaluation: Recent restoration | One of eight 1500 GTs delivered to the States and one of only four or five remaining. Some cracks and blemishes in the painted bumperettes. Decent paint. Imperfect panel fit, resulting in the door scraping against the window frame—of course panel fit was probably bad from the factory. Excellent restored interior. Fresh and gorgeous underneath. Fully restored to like-new condition. It must be one of the best Marcoses on this side of the pond.
Bottom Line: Marcos (a portmanteau of founders Gem Marsh and Frank Costin’s last names) built some alarmingly ugly cars, but the GT is a stunning exception. It’s an interesting car under the skin as well. In the days before carbon fiber, Marcos employed a bonded plywood chassis to keep weight down but maintain rigidity. The company later switched to steel, but Marcos enthusiasts (yes, there are a few out there) prefer the early wood-chassis wonders. And despite the GT’s diminutive size and low height, a tall guy can fit inside and work the pedals. Four-cylinder Marcos GTs are more often seen with 1600-cc Ford engines or with Volvo 1800s, but the 1500 still provides plenty of grunt—and
besides, this car’s previous owners clearly spent money where it counts. It could have sold for more on account of how rare and distinctive it is, but
obscure cars don’t always attract a ton of attention. A fair result, and a rewarding car for the new owner.
