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The 1970-1971 Marcos Mantis M70 stands as one of the most visually controversial cars in automotive history. Though it was designed with ambition, the result was a car whose aesthetics have been widely criticized. Many have dubbed it one of the ugliest vehicles ever made, a view shared by those who struggle to find harmony in its design elements. The Marcos Mantis, a four-seater grand tourer, was conceived by Marcos Engineering during a time of transition and financial strain, ultimately becoming a short-lived production model.
Styled by Dennis Adams with input from Marcos co-founder Jem Marsh, the Mantis featured a design that combined numerous incompatible elements. The body was wedge-shaped, with a wavy beltline, a fastback roof, and a truncated tail. The proportions were awkward, and the side windows were overly curved, which only added to the car’s unusual appearance. The rectangular windshield was offset by widely spaced pillars, while recessed headlights and a grille on the hood, resembling a sewer cover, did nothing to smooth out the car’s chaotic look. Black plastic bumpers and additional mismatched details left the Mantis struggling to find visual balance.
Beneath the strikingly odd exterior, the Mantis was powered by a 2.5-liter Triumph PI inline-six engine, paired with a Triumph four-speed gearbox with overdrive. The suspension system, while unconventional, was derived from the Marcos 3-liter model and featured trailing links and an A-frame to locate the Ford Capri rear axle. The technical specifications of the Mantis were solid, but the car's reception at the 1971 Earls Court Motor Show was mixed due to its challenging design.
The Mantis was introduced at a time when the British market was struggling and the American market was in decline. Although Marcos initially saw promising orders, the move to a new factory in Westbury and the financial strain of developing the Mantis contributed to the company’s decline. In total, only 32 units were built from 1970 to 1971, and despite the low production numbers, all units were sold within an 11-month period before the factory shut down in 1972.
Though its design was not well-received, the Marcos Mantis M70 remains an intriguing footnote in the history of British sports cars. It was a car ahead of its time in terms of concept, but its visual discord prevented it from achieving commercial success. Today, it stands as a unique curiosity, remembered for both its bold ambition and its eccentricity.
