Voitures Anciennes

[curtis]

Exactly.
And less polluting than an electric car.

[RobertArthur]

After the Trabant now a classic Wartburg 353. It was in its days a luxury car costing 22,000 DM, the Trabant about 12,000 DM.

[RobertArthur]

Back to France, the UK, the Netherlands and Portugal. Read all about it, in the news this morning ('Volkskrant'). Copyright etc., only the translated highlights of this story.

Motoring journalist Jeroen Booij was gripped by the David versus Goliath-like story of a small car that competed with the biggest racers at Le Mans, but then disappeared off the face of the earth. He had no choice but to go in search of the lost Mini Marcos. It is the only Mini ever to cross the finish line of the illustrious Le Mans 24-hour race in 1966. A Mini with special bodywork by the British firm Marcos, considerably lighter and more streamlined than a standard Mini. Although more were built, only one was able to compete with the almost twice as big Ferraris, Fords and Porsches with up to five times the power. A lightweight on the weighbridge.

Department Lost, Stolen & Found in Portugal in 2016 after many years. This was its condition in 1975, now in bordeaux red, probably the personal touch of its owner in those days, a certain MIchel Tasset. There was not too much left of this Mini in Portugal, but enough to start a step by step restoration project of many years. Soon to be finished.

[curtis]

Excellent story. Thanks for the highlights.

[RobertArthur]

[Hotrodder]

My knowledge of the Marcos is very sketchy. I hated the look of the thing when I first saw one and filed it under "no thankyou". I have been under the impression it was sold as a kit car not a complete production vehicle. Then I question my understanding of the rules concerning the LeMans event. Requirement for minimum numbers for homologation, etc.

[Nomoss]

My knowledge of the Marcos is very sketchy. I hated the look of the thing when I first saw one and filed it under "no thankyou". I have been under the impression it was sold as a kit car not a complete production vehicle. Then I question my understanding of the rules concerning the LeMans event. Requirement for minimum numbers for homologation, etc.

Some groups at Le Mans require homologation of a minimum number, but there are also groups for prototype cars.

[Hotrodder]

Thanks for that.

[RobertArthur]

Classic yellow and modern yellow with a classic name.

[Hotrodder]

Twin calipers?