Fun ride out in Brian’s Marcos Mantula, the first time I’ve been in a car with so much performance. He does a lot of work on it with sockets and spanners to keep it running well. A totally different experience to an economy saloon or SUV, the Marcos tootles along happily and smoothly in traffic but the big V8 engine is ready to roar a bit when the opportunity arises. Which was possible a few times in the Kent countryside on a sunny September afternoon, though resulted in noticeable warmth coming through the engine compartment to the legs.
The Marcos Mantula has a beautiful body line, seen from almost any angle. Also comfortable hide seats, long and low; Brian’s remade these seats and they look great as well as feeling snug. Surprisingly little impression of speed, even being so low on the road but then I’m used to being close to the tarmac riding a sportsbike head-down. The Marcos ride was a completely different experience on curves and roundabouts to any car I’ve ever driven, hugging the tarmac with the supportive seats taking the throw The set of analogue dials show you clearly what you need to know, and, with the interior veneers and hide trimmings, are seriously nostalgic. Definitely a car with character.
Thanks Brian for the fun day out.