Marcos Launch

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Discussion

jamieheasman

Original Poster:

823 posts

285 months

Thursday 7th October 2004
quotequote all
So, who went to the Marcos launch then? How did it go? Nice car/s?

I assume they had an example of the TSO on hand? If so, did anyone notice if they'd got rid of that crappy (left-over) interior?

kylie

4,391 posts

258 months

Thursday 7th October 2004
quotequote all
Hi Jaime yes went to the Lotus function which of course had the launch of the only Marcos there as well, the one in the lotus cars website. While it was a nice car to look at, it didn't do much for me at all...sorry it looked very ordinary. One would describe it as looking like a Mazda MX-5 on steriods. The interior looked very sleek though and the 5.0L Chevy engine sounded great. I got the oportunity to speak to Tony Stelliga for quite a while (chairmain and Managing director) super nice guy. He found out I was a colour chemist as one of my trades so we discussed what the next model colour schemes are going to come out in, so it was really cool to give him some input, not that he will use it . I was too busy chatting and drinking to take pics sorry, but will round up a committe member who did, for some pics and post them.

The Lotus and Noble people were also there, was an awesome event lots of lovely Loti everywhere

htsd

263 posts

241 months

Thursday 7th October 2004
quotequote all
Could you kindly link to a picture for those of us too retarded to find the Marcos on the website( ok, its probably only me )

The only over Marcos I ever really heard of was the Manta which looked pretty buff. They seemed to be heading slightly more down the AC route than other slightly renowned small UK manufacturers (Westfield, Lotus, TVR, etc).

kylie

4,391 posts

258 months

Thursday 7th October 2004
quotequote all
No worries, its on the front page scroll down till you see the car which is also linked, its that model which was there and pale green colour www.lotuscars.net.nz/index.html

htsd

263 posts

241 months

Sunday 10th October 2004
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Can't say it does it for me either from those pics. 5.0L Chevy you say? What engine is that? Have they destroked a 5.7L or something? And what transmission is it running? Anyone driven one?

(Car related questions making up for the OT in the other thread )

dejoux

772 posts

284 months

Sunday 10th October 2004
quotequote all
Looks nice enough but I wouldnt buy one on the basis of that colour scheme alone. Even if mine wasnt that colour Id know there would be someone somewhere making me look bad

Thats beside the point everything else lotus NZ sells is better

jamieheasman

Original Poster:

823 posts

285 months

Sunday 10th October 2004
quotequote all
It's a 5.7 litre Chevvy Gen III available in at least two states of tune with the most powerful being the 300kw Corvette version mated to the same 6 speed 'box. Lesser models get the Tremec 5-speed I believe.

I think if you pick the correct colour scheme (as you can on their website) the car can look very good. The rear is a bid bland but a millions miles better than the traditional Marcos-arse IMHO. The interior is the area that needs special attention and who better than Damian McTaggart (ex-TVR) to do it? After all he was responsible for the Cerbera's interior I believe which is not only one of the most striking looking but also one of the most functional.

I don't think you can compare the other products Lotus NZ sell with the Marcos as they are so different in concept. However, I think with Prodrive's help and Marcos's already excellent build quality and customer service they deserve to be up there challenging the accepted leaders in the market.

Roger A

1,267 posts

241 months

Tuesday 12th October 2004
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I agree, Kylie. Not pretty. The brit car i'd buy for prettiness (with TVR) would be the Gilbern. Apparantly they have a fun, low cost race series in the uk for Gilberns only (not quite as muscly though, as a Marcos)

jamieheasman

Original Poster:

823 posts

285 months

Tuesday 12th October 2004
quotequote all
Gilbern Invader - niiice.

Surely they haven't built Gilberns since the 70s though - you're not thinking of Ginetta are you? They still make those, have one-make race series and a couple of the cars resemble shrunken Ferrari 250GTOs!

Roger A

1,267 posts

241 months

Tuesday 12th October 2004
quotequote all
Oops, you are quite right-the gilbern must have flooded back from Friday nights as a kid when i'd get out the (then) daily Mail (I think)car guides from the Manurewa central library and virtually memorise them.
Yes , Ginetta (G6?)-aren't they cute?

kylie

4,391 posts

258 months

Saturday 16th October 2004
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Here you go Lotus cars has updated their site with a few pics from the Marcos launch and the drive the following day. www.lotuscars.net.nz/motorsport.php

htsd

263 posts

241 months

Saturday 16th October 2004
quotequote all
It [the Marcos] looks like a TVR thats had all the character, curves and sexiness sucked out of it.

jamieheasman

Original Poster:

823 posts

285 months

Monday 18th October 2004
quotequote all
I think that's being a bit unkind mate! I think in the right colour and with a heavy application of right foot you may change your mind! There again I haven't actually seen one in the flesh so to speak.

I still think that interior needs a good McTaggerting though.

I think Marcos will steal a lot of sales from TVR with the TSO.