1997 Marcos Mantara 3.9 V8

Highlights

• Factory-built Mantara

• Waxoiled chassis

• Intoxicating 3.9-litre V8 engine

• Original bill of sale included

• 1 of only 137 produced

Overview

Fibreglass bodywork, slightly unusual proportions, RWD and a thumping great V8 engine; a timeless recipe for British low-volume car manufacturers, and why fix something that isn’t broken? Evidently, Marcos had a similar thought process when building the Mantara, which also benefits from only being offered as a factory-built model, meaning the fit-and-finish shows significantly more care and attention than the stereotype would have you believe. 

Keeping to the aforementioned timeless recipe, the Mantara was offered with the choice of a 3.9 or 4.6-litre Rover-sourced V8 upfront, and also saw factory-fit power steering offered for the first time to improve usability. Crucially, Marcos also did away with the outdated Triumph-sourced front suspension, replacing it with a then-modern MacPherson strut setup sourced from Ford for their new model.

Offering a direct, analogous and unique driving experience, the Mantara Spyder also benefits from being something of a curiosity; this author cannot ever remember seeing one with his own eyes before this example, and you can be sure that wherever you take it, you’ll get plenty of admiring glances, quizzical looks and curious questioning. Not a car for the shy and retiring among us, and that’s before you consider the soundtrack that comes with it!

This particular Mantara Spyder has benefitted from years of cherished ownership, and still presents fantastically to this day. It also shows an impressive MOT history all the way back to 2006 online, with previous failures only due to trivial issues such as incorrect headlight aim and a damaged hose, and has covered under 38,000 miles from new. Quite remarkable, really, and ready for you to write its next chapter.

History and documentation

• Registered May 1997

• In current ownership for six years

• Extensive folder of recent and historic documentation

• Original bill of sale and manufacturer brochure

• Originally delivered in ‘Profont Red’, this Mantara was resprayed in Rover ‘Nightmare Red’ in 2000

• New alternator fitted in March 2026

• The seller notes that this Mantara has been garaged and driven only in dry weather, both in his ownership and whilst in the care of the former keeper

• Latest oil/filter change carried out in June 2025 at 36,164 miles

• The last major service being carried out in May 2021 @ 34,669 miles, including replacement of the HT leads and spark plugs

• Prior to this, a new clutch cylinder setup (slave and master) were fitted in September 2020 at 33,928 miles

• Whilst in the care of the previous owner, Marcos Heritage Spares Ltd carried out an in-depth service in March 2016 at 31,121 miles, including fitment of a new hood, attention to the steering system, new engine bay fuel hoses, Waxoyling of the chassis and other miscellaneous works

• Accompanying the car is a printed MoT history stretching back to 2006, along with a myriad of historical invoices and correspondence

• Two keys

• Current MOT with no advisories expires 16 May 2026

• The seller notes an MOT is booked for 15 May 2026, and that he has no concerns about it securing a pass

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI clear

Interior

• Black leather upholstery with contrasting red piping

• Elm wood dashboard with Smiths gauges

• Fire extinguisher and wheel brace / jack in boot

• Electronically-adjustable pedal position

• Tinted electric windows

• Heated front windscreen

• Electronically-adjustable wing mirrors

• Stereo with USB connectivity

• The interior presents very well overall, with some light wear commensurate with the vehicle’s age and mileage

• The most notable areas of wear are on the outer bolsters of both seats, most visible on the driver’s side

• Elsewhere, there are some light areas of patination to the high-traffic areas such as the steering wheel, door cards and seat bases

• The inner hood is in excellent condition, on account of being replaced whilst in the care of the former owner

• In the boot, the carpet would benefit from a valeting, and the rear bulkhead carpet requires re-attaching to the bulkhead itself

• No reported faults or issues

Exterior

• Striking Rover ‘Nightmare Red’ paintwork

• The bodywork and paintwork are in excellent overall condition

• The folding roof was replaced in the care of the former owner by Marcos Heritage Spares, and remains in fantastic condition with no sign of any wear, damage or UV fading

• Looking closely, the front end and leading edges of the rear arches show some typical stone chips and light gravel rash

• The door edges are chipped, and there are larger chips around the bonnet clam on the nearside wing

• At the rear, there are some very minor blemishes on the lower edge of the bumper around the exhausts, and a small area of ‘spidering’ in the fibreglass around the base of the radio antenna 

• Elsewhere, there is a small split in the nearside window lower rubber, a seal is protruding from the nearside headlight, and there is a small area of lacquer damage on the offside mirror casing

• Original ‘Valbrem’ alloy wheels

• Falken tyres up front (2012) and Toyo Proxes at the rear (2015), all of which would benefit from replacement, based on age

• In all, though, it’s a magnificent looking thing, with some minor signs of wear

Mechanical

• 3946cc Rover-sourced V8 engine, producing 190bhp from the factory

• Five-speed manual gearbox

• Rear-wheel drive

• Factory fitted power steering

• Upgraded Protech shock-absorbers

• Waxoiled chassis which is said to be in ‘immaculate’ condition

• No reported mechanical faults or issues

• An intoxicating soundtrack that makes the hairs on your neck stand-up, even at idle!

Summary

Evidently cherished throughout its lifetime, with less than 38,000 miles on the clock and finished in a striking shade of deep metallic red, this Mantara is a stunning example of the low-volume sports car, that appears to want for nothing other than a tank of fuel and a new custodian to continue to look after it for many years to come.

Whether you’re looking for a weekend toy, are building a collection of V8 or low-volume sports cars, or perhaps just appreciate the more left-field approach to classic car ownership, this Mantara Spyder is the one for you; happy bidding!

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Bideford, North Devon.