Makaira

[dogoncrazy]

Idly rifling through old copies of Pitstop I wondered what ever became of the 'one off' Marlin Makaira. Anybody ever see it or know of it's whereabouts?

[stevejgreen]

Re: Makaira

Pretty much the only source of info is Marlin Sports Cars themselves. Their website at http://www.marlinsportscars.co.uk/company/heritage/

is pretty much the only mention apart from a name check here.

At £40+k I dont suppose too many were sold.

[dcunn]

Re: Makaira

Thre pics, don't know if the car is still extant

[dcunn]

Re: Makaira

From an old Pitstop:

MAKAIRA Paul and Diane Norris From Pitstop Dec 02/Jan 03

Diane & I thought we would just write in and let you know that we have read your request that you made of Terry Matthews at the Marlin factory towards the end of the above article in October's PITSTOP.

We have indeed been members of the M.O.C since the beginning of 2001 and were content to get to know the ropes, learn a few names and faces, as it were, before we decided to take the plunge into actual Marlin Car ownership.

We are not as clever as some to be able to build ourselves but still it has been a very long time in coming but then it really is worth it when the end result is seen. If one considers that every unique detail had to be created for the first time and then the fine workmanship that we have come to expect from Mark Matthews then it is not surprising it takes time.

The Marlin Makaira has been with us for a while as it is now registered at last (it appears that the D.of T. saw the light after much hassle from all quarters). The pleasure of 'trialling' the car for around 1,000 miles was given to us, a sort of shake-down to seek out any teething problems there might be, and then to have it finally finished off back at the factory - which is where it is now as we write in early November. So in a sense we are still waiting for it to be finished!

The Makaira certainly did drive extremely well and sounded absolutely gorgeous complete with that all too familiar V8 rumble. The choice of automatic may not be appealing to some more purist viewpoints and I would agree but for the fact that but a good choice as it turns out as even Diane, who falls shy of powerful manual sports cars, has enjoyed every moment of her drives in the Makaira so far. As an occasional passenger I am mightily impressed too with how comfortable it is, being whisked along at speed and to see all the appreciative faces by onlookers and enthusiasts alike. Mind you one could hardly miss her coming given the sound and colour!

There has been a lot of interest in this new model not only when it was at the Donnington and Malvern shows but also at Marlin's Open Day. Even when we've been taking a drive out and then stop for a break on the side in a lay-by or at a motorway services complete strangers would come over a start happily talking with us about the car, the Marque and related motoring topics that they recall.

Anyway, here's hoping that there will be a few dry, sunny, clear blue skies, but frosty, November days left for a bit more of that wonderful open air motoring that all of us love so much and of course we are also looking forward very much to next years' outings as we have read too many times how good they have all been and we've had to miss out on them. We did manage Hugh's Exmoor run. That we thought was excellent and thoroughly enjoyed (in a red Golf though well at the back!).

Hope to send in a picture of the Makaira as soon as we can get hold of a digital camera and of course when the car is complete. We always read the PITSTOP magazine from cover to cover as soon as it arrives - thank you - you do a cracking job!

PS - From Alan Hogg : To anyone out there that may be interested in the name 'MAKAIRA' it is the species of Marlins to which it refers, these being:
Makaira Nigricans --------Blue Marlin
Makaira Indica---------------Black Marlin
Makaira Mazara----------- Indo-Pacific Blue Marlin

[KitCarGirl]

Re: Makaira

I know Paul sold the car and I'm pretty sure it went to Germany for a high price but not as high as they had paid for it.

[tim hawkesworth]

Re: Makaira

The Norriss's sold the car back to Marlin but retained the reg V8 PDN [It was a TVR V8 not Rover]. Marlin then sold it on but it returned to Marlin again in a bit of a state when it was resprayed , Black I think, They offered the car to me at this stage, sadly I did not buy though it was being offered at less than half what it originall cost The Norris's. I don't know where it is now.