Last updated on November 26, 2025
Today’s car is a 1997 Marcos LM500 cabriolet, owned by Laurence Jones, which I photographed at the 2025 Annual Queen’s English Car Show at Woodley Park in Van Nuys, CA. It’s finished in BMW Avus Blue with a Magnolia / blue piping leathered interior, walnut veneer dash, dark blue carpets and harnesses, and a matching convertible top—making it a true one-of-one based on the unique color and interior combination. It’s powered by a 350-horsepower, 4.6-liter Rover V8, factory-built by Marcos to 5.0-liter spec and running electronic fuel injection (EFI). It’s mated to a 5-speed Ford manual transmission and a 3.14:1 rear axle, which translates to a 2.49:1 in fifth gear. Braking is handled by AP Racing 4-piston calipers with ventilated discs at all four corners. The suspension setup features independent double wishbones, upgraded Eibach coil-over dampers and lowered front and rear, keeping things tight and composed in the corners.
Marcos cars were produced from 1957 to 2007, with approximately 7,000 units built in total. Of those, just 36 road-going, race-oriented LM models were made, all based on the Marcos Mantara platform. That includes 20 LM500s, 15 LM400s, and 1 Le Mans race ready LM600. The LM500 MSRP at the time ranged from £47,000 – £50,000 in the UK or about $75,000 – $80,000 USD. The estimated top speed was 168 mph, with a 0–60 time of just 3.9 seconds.
Marcos was founded in 1959 by Jem Marsh and Frank Costin—hence the name Mar+Cos. Costin, an aeronautical engineer and aerodynamicist with roots at de Havilland and Lotus, brought aerospace thinking to car design. His boldest move? Using marine-grade plywood for the chassis. Yes, wood. And it worked. Early Marcos GTs had exceptional torsional rigidity and low weight thanks to this unconventional construction.
Throughout the 1960s and early ’70s, Marcos made a name for itself in club racing. Their cars were featherlight and surprisingly quick, often giving more established marques a serious run for their money. Legendary drivers like Derek Bell and Jackie Stewart raced Marcos cars during this era, helping turn the so-called “ugly ducklings” into respected contenders.
Jem Marsh eventually took full control of the company and steered it through various revivals. This car developed a deeply personal connection with Laurence, who grew up neighbors to Jem as well as Jeremy Kearns, a long time Marcos employee who went on to open Redline Sportscars. Over time, the car changed hands and eventually ended up back at Redline Sportscars where Laurence acquired it. For Laurence, that personal history continues to connect him to the car and of all the British classics he imports through Castle Combe Motorsports, this one is staying put as a collection only car.
The 1997 Marcos LM500 is one of those cars that lives in the margins of automotive history—uncommon, uncompromised, and unforgettable. For collectors and enthusiasts, it’s a true anomaly: a road car with real racing DNA, built in small numbers and packed with the eccentric charm of British engineering.
When it comes to rare and underappreciated British sports cars, few names evoke curiosity quite like Marcos and few models better capture its motorsport soul than the 1997 LM500. Designed as a street-legal nod to its Le Mans-competing sibling, the LM600, the LM500 blends aggressive styling, lightweight engineering, and raw V8 power in a package that’s as audacious as it is thrilling.
A British GT car with Le Mans roots, V8 muscle, and only 20 ever built. Rare, raw, and unforgettable. What a great car to take to a Concours d’Elegance, a British car show, your local Cars & Coffee or just for a blast through the Santa Monica Mountains, top down (of course), and a grin on your face.
Thank you for riding along.
Frank
