Mini Marcos Mk. III at Le Mans (1967)

Top row: This is believed to be the 1967 Le Mans car, although some other streamlined models were constructed (for F.L.I.R.T. amongst others). Axel Desjardins writes: “As you can see, the front screen is still as it's original angle so, it is possible to say it was not during the race. The number was 50 during the race. I think this photo was taken before the race, perhaps just after another race in France or somewhere else. I am sure this photo comes from Le Mans. I'd like to know exactly why this 51 number!” We understand that the car carried number 51 during testing but was renumbered as 50 for the race itself following the non-qualification of another entry. The second photo is noted as being taken in April 1967.The first photo comes from la ligne droite des hunaudières. Middle and bottom rows: The streamlined Mk. III Mini Marcos was clocked at 141 mph on the Mulsanne straight at Le Mans before an oil pump failure put paid to its hopes of repeating the 1966 epic. Note the modification to the windscreen angle which was made after the French scrutineers had tried to exclude the car on the grounds that the windscreen was too low. They little thought that the team would modify the bodywork overnight! The last photo shows the same car under restoration in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe in 1997. It can be seen in restored condition in the Members' Cars section. Photos kindly supplied by Stef Jones, Gérard Boulin, Tom Wiggers, Mike Kerry, Christian Baufi and Axel Desjardins.

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Last updated 16th February, 2011