Launched in the early nineties, the Marcos Martina offered elegant looks and a sporty driving experience on an affordable budget. Using a Cortina Mark 4 or 5 as a donor vehicle, a comprehensive list of parts were installed onto a Marcos chassis, providing owners with the reliability of a mass-produced car with the bespoke touches of a hand-built sportscar.

This 1993-built example used a 1981 Cortina Mark 5 as a donor vehicle, the main carryover parts being the 2-litre Pinto engine and Type 9 gearbox, front subframe and suspension, pedal carriage, and rear axle. In the 30 years since it was built, this Martina has covered just 700 miles. We recently had the opportunity to re-commission the car, and a significant amount of work was completed to bring this Martina to roadworthy status.

Underneath, the car presents extremely well. Freshly powdercoated and rebushed suspension components are bolted to an immaculate, ‘as new’ chassis. Moreover, mechanically, the car is in great condition; the engine is smooth and has benefitted from a major service, including a new head gasket, cambelt, and water pump change. The Type 9 gearbox provides a firm gear change with good ratios for the Pinto’s power output.

On the outside, the captiva metallic blue paintwork suits the body shape well and is in exceptional condition for the car’s age. Having been dry-stored for its entire life, the hood is as new and, whilst not up to the standards of today’s convertibles, it provides some refinement and cover from the elements when raised. The exterior is finished off by a set of 15″ Ally Cat wheels shod with new Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres.

Optional magnolia leather with contrast blue piping is complimented by a traditional walnut dashboard and an array of aftermarket matching wood trim pieces. As with the exterior, the trim is in fantastic condition.