Lot Ended
Description
Factory built car; V8 TVR engine driven by automatic gearbox; showing
under 10,000 miles; appropriate M99RLN registration; eight registered keepers;
been run and driven while on site
This Marlin
Makaira is something rather different and, unusually for a car of this type,
comes with a fascinating story and an exceptionally individual
specification.
Built by Marlin themselves as a
complete factory-built car, rather than being supplied as a kit, this is
believed to be the only Makaira ever constructed to this specification. The car
was commissioned by a couple who wanted the appearance and character of a Marlin
sports car but were unable to undertake a self-build, and they specified a
number of features that make this example particularly
unusual.
Most notable is the TVR-supplied 4,555cc
V8 engine, supplied by TVR specifically at the request of the original customer,
with a letter from TVR confirming its supply. Known as the TVR 450 or 4.6-litre
V8, the cross-bolted engine features fuel injection and TVR tuning, with a
claimed output of approximately 285bhp. In a car weighing only around 820kg,
this gives some interesting power-to-weight ratio!
The V8 is coupled to a four-speed ZF automatic gearbox, again forming
part of the original specification. The running gear includes a Ford Cosworth
two-wheel-drive limited-slip differential, disc brakes front and rear and
coil-spring suspension all round.
The original
customer also specified a number of luxuries that would be highly unusual on a
conventional self-built kit car, including electric windows, central locking,
white-faced instruments with Marlin lettering, a wooden dashboard and lilac
leather upholstery. The folding roof is another particularly useful feature,
being permanently fitted and able to be folded rather than having to be
assembled and fitted to the car each time it is required.
The body is constructed from a combination of alloy and fibreglass,
while the front wings and running boards are understood to be a one-off moulding
produced specifically for this car.
The colour is
another part of the car's unusual story. The original finish was chosen by the
first owner to match the colour of the lady's nail varnish, making the car every
bit as individual as its mechanical specification. Around ten years ago, the
colour was professionally changed to the attractive blue metallic it wears
today.
With only 9,726 miles recorded, the
Makaira remains remarkably fresh and the history file is particularly
comprehensive and includes the handbook together with extensive Marlin and TVR
paperwork, which includes an invoice for correcting some bodywork in June this
year.
A very rare opportunity to acquire what is
believed to be the only Marlin Makaira built to this specification – a genuine
factory one-off, TVR-powered, automatic and with fewer than 10,000 miles
recorded.
The registration number M99 RLN will
remain with the car.
Contact - david.armitage@brightwells.com