The odd and angular Mantis XP beast raced only once

The end of the 1960s in the perspective of the racing world was the heyday for the Ford GT40 in various world racing events. This tough racing car made by the American automotive giant Ford Motor Company is said to have triumphed over a number of tough rivals such as Ferrari, Porsche and others.

Marcos Mantis XP is a uniquely shaped car developed in the 1968 by a British automotive manufacturer named Marcos Engineering Ltd. (Picture from: Motor1)

So it is not surprising that Ford's race car, which was built by adopting future designs and combined nicely with this high-performance engine, then invites many parties to make like those Ford's race cars. One of them is a uniquely shaped car called the Marcos Mantis XP developed by a British automotive manufacturer named Marcos Engineering Ltd. in the 1968.

The front and rear ends of the Marcos Mantis XP is open upward, giving it a look that this Mantis is shedding a layer of skin. (Picture from: FavCars)

At the time, the British car manufacturer is intended to fight for footing in the world's performance car market. Although at the end the manufacturer has never shown any of its own cars in the global high performance car market. Many said that the Mantis XP is designed by Dennis Adams who at the time worked for the car company.

Marcos Mantis XP's plexiglass cabin and engine compartment are its signature feature, a design trait that give the Mantis its futuristic appeal. (Picture from: Motor1)

The Marcos Mantis XP is truly one-of-a-kind, and its strange styling makes it one of the most visually striking automobiles we’ve seen today. So the car design was breathtaking for 1968, if not unconventional, and it remains so today. It could be seen of its plexiglass cabin and engine compartment are its signature feature, a design trait that give the Mantis its futuristic appeal.

Marcos Mantis XP is powered by a mid-mounted BRM-Repco V8 Formula 1 engine, whose cylinders rose into the clear-covered engine compartment in the rear of the vehicle. (Picture from: Motor1)

The vertical plexiglass doors swing upward and a small window slides forward for a bit of fresh air. The front and rear ends also open upward, giving it a look that this Mantis is shedding a layer of skin. The body design is at once angular and curvy, with a chopped rear end and curvy front fenders that give it an aggressive appearance. The Marcos Mantis XP fit this formula well, as its future-forward design and muscle-heavy heartbeat earned it a debut on the world championship racing circuit.

Marcos Mantis XP is truly one-of-a-kind, and its strange styling makes it one of the most visually striking automobiles we’ve seen today. (Picture from: Motor1)

It was powered by a mid-mounted BRM-Repco V8 Formula 1 engine, whose cylinders rose into the clear-covered engine compartment in the rear of the vehicle. This powertrain was enough to compete with the world’s top race cars, despite the electrical problems which stopped it at the Spa 1000km.😢

The 1968 Marcos Mantis XP looked quite out-of-place at its debut during the Spa 24 Hours race in Belgium. Flanked by the curvy Fords, Porsches and Ferraris of the late 60s, unfortunately this odd and angular beast is failed to participated the Spa race due to electrical problems, and has been warehoused since then until its recent resurrection by a careful restoration in California by the current owner, Ned Morris. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES || 24H-LEMANS  PORNOWHEELS | CLASSICDRIVER | MOTOR1 | DRIVETRIBE | SUPERCARS.NET | WIKIPEDIA ]

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