Midas: Golden Touches Transforming the Mini Marcos Legacy

Timeless Innovation - The automotive world thrives on innovation, fueled by passionate individuals and companies aiming to combine performance, style, and timeless appeal. Among the many iconic creations, the Marcos Mini, also known as the Mini Marcos, stands as a symbol of ingenuity and adaptability. Debuting in the mid-1960s, this compact yet powerful kit car secured its place in history with impressive performance and a distinctive design. But its journey didn’t stop there—this remarkable car continued to evolve, transforming into something even greater.

The Midas is a British made kit car initially manufactured by D&H Fibreglass Techniques using Mini running gear. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

In the 1970s, D & H Fibreglass Techniques saw potential in the Marcos Mini Mark IV and sought to refine its design. Harold Dermott, the head of D & H, envisioned a modernized version of the car that could attract a broader audience. To achieve this, he collaborated with designer Richard Oakes, resulting in a sleek and reimagined vehicle named the Midas. The choice of name symbolized a golden touch, hinting at the belief that this new iteration would captivate enthusiasts and buyers alike.

The Midas is the result of a collaboration between D&H Fibreglass Techniques and designer Richard Oakes. (Picture from: Silodrome)

Mechanically, the Midas retained much of the Mini Marcos’s original essence but introduced notable improvements. Gone was the rear subframe of the BMC Mini, replaced with a beam-mounted system for the rear trailing arms. When it debuted at the 1978 Performance Car Show in London, the Midas lived up to its name, generating significant interest and a flood of orders. The car’s appeal lay not only in its design but also in its promise of modern performance and enhanced usability.

The Midas Mark II aka the Bronze benefited significantly from Harold’s marketing, which highlighted the contributions of Brabham Formula 1 Chief Designer Gordon Murray. (Picture from: AROnline)

By the mid-1980s, the Midas underwent another transformation to accommodate parts from newer vehicles like the Morris and MG Metro. This redesign, again helmed by Richard Oakes, introduced larger windows, wider wings, and an updated front end. Gordon Murray, a renowned automotive engineer, also contributed to aerodynamic refinements, ensuring the car met contemporary standards. 

The Midas Mark II aka the Bronze benefited significantly from Harold’s marketing, which highlighted the contributions of Brabham Formula 1 Chief Designer Gordon Murray. (Picture from: Silodrome)

With safety becoming a priority, the new Midas model passed rigorous crash tests, paving the way for sales as complete vehicles and kits. Despite these advancements, the Midas faced setbacks. A fire in 1989 destroyed its factory, halting production and leading to the sale of D & H to Pastiche Cars. 

Produced from 1985 to 1990, the Midas Bronze joined the Gold model lineup, enhanced with design improvements by Gordon Murray. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

Unfortunately, Pastiche Cars soon folded. The resilience of the Midas and Mini Marcos did not waver. Ownership of Midas Cars passed through various hands, including GTM to a new Midas Cars Ltd. based in Redditch, West Midlands. The range now consisted of the Coupé, renamed the Cortez, and a K-Series powered convertible named the Excelsior. Although the cars were well received the company went into liquidation in 2003.

In adverts the company claimed the Midas Gold was “Britain’s economy superstar” with a lifetime no-rust warranty, and readers were urged to address enquiries to Harold Dermott himself at the Corby works. (Picture from: MidasRacer in Flickr)

A new company,  Alternative Cars Ltd., was set up in 2003 and in 2004 restarted production of kit form versions of the Gold Convertible, Cortez and Excelsior based in a small workshop unit at Clanfield, Oxfordshire. In 2007 the Midas Owners Club rediscovered the Gold coupe moulds in Germany and bought them and were imported back to England, ensuring its survival into the 21st century. 

From top-left: the Midas Gold Convertible (produced from 1985 to present), top-right: the Midas Cortez (1995 to present), and at the bottom: the Midas Excelsior (2002 to present). (Picture from: Wikipedia)

Meanwhile the rights to the Mini Marcos returned to Marcos Ltd., signaling a turning point for the model’s legacy. The Mini Marcos kits offered flexibility, allowing customers to purchase components progressively or all at once. This adaptability ensured that the car remained accessible to a new generation of builders and drivers.

The 1991 Marcos Mini Mark V showcased modern enhancements like 13-inch wheels, an optional walnut dashboard, and air conditioning, blending retro charm with contemporary comfort. (Picture from: Marcos-OC)

By 1991, the Marcos Mini Mark V showcased modern enhancements like 13-inch wheels, an optional walnut dashboard, and air conditioning, blending retro charm with contemporary comfort. Notably, it became the first fully built Mini Marcos exported to Japan, marking a milestone in its journey.

Brochure of the Marcos Mini Mark VI produced as a kit-car by Marcos Heritage Spares Ltd. (Picture from: Silodrome)

Later, Marcos Heritage Spares Ltd. acquired the rights to the Mini Marcos, offering kit forms of the Mark VI and Mark VI GT models. These kits were designed for enthusiasts who sought to resurrect old Mini parts, combining practicality with nostalgia. The fibreglass body provided a durable alternative to the Mini’s original steel structure, making it an ideal project for restoring rusted or damaged vehicles.

Brochure of the Marcos Mini Mark VI GT produced as a kit-car by Marcos Heritage Spares Ltd. (Picture from: Silodrome)

Today, the Mini Marcos continues to inspire admiration among automotive enthusiasts. Its compact size, thrilling performance, and rich history transport drivers to the vibrant 1960s, while its enduring relevance proves its ability to thrive in a modern world.

Whether as a restored classic or a newly built kit, the Mini Marcos embodies a spirit of adventure and creativity that refuses to fade. Its journey reminds us that innovation and passion can keep even the smallest icons alive, proving that some legends truly never die. (Back to its roots). ** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MARCOS-OC | WIKIPEDIA | MAXIMUM MINI | ARONLINE | SILODROME ]

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