Yesterday's story of a Portugese Mini Marcos led to a whole string of photographs of the Mini Marcos, driven by António Batista in the 1970s and 1980s. The power of the internet!
Francisco Costa had already found a beautiful old photograph of the car raced at Vila Real; Neil Kilbane sourced another from a 1981 magazine and Francisco translated the Spanish caption that came with it: 'António Batista was the main entertainer in an uninteresting race'.
Cristian Sanmartin Castro dug deeper and got in touch with Hugo Batista, son of the racer himself, who provided him with more exiting photographs of the car in different guises. Hugo also told him the car will soon return to competition! We're are eagerly awaiting that now. Thanks very much gentlemen!
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Francisco Costa had already found a beautiful old photograph of the car raced at Vila Real; Neil Kilbane sourced another from a 1981 magazine and Francisco translated the Spanish caption that came with it: 'António Batista was the main entertainer in an uninteresting race'.
Cristian Sanmartin Castro dug deeper and got in touch with Hugo Batista, son of the racer himself, who provided him with more exiting photographs of the car in different guises. Hugo also told him the car will soon return to competition! We're are eagerly awaiting that now. Thanks very much gentlemen!
The António Batista Mini Marcos in its early life. The body has not been altered too much
Picture courtesy Hugo Batista, thanks Cristian Sanmartin Castro
Next step: wider arches, dramatic front and rear spoilers and big fresh air openings
Picture courtesy Hugo Batista, thanks Cristian Sanmartin Castro
Vila Real 1981, when 'António Batista was the main entertainer in an uninteresting race'.
Picture thanks Neil Kilbane
Francesco Costa's shot. Note that the headlights have now been removed from the bonnet
Picture via Francisco Costa
Even wider and even wilder and now in orange. Originally this is a Mini Marcos Mk3
Picture courtesy Hugo Batista, thanks Cristian Sanmartin Castro
And this is the latest picture of it. According to Hugo Batista the car will soon return to competition
Picture courtesy Mini Marcos Owners Club