Info für Besucher ohne Javascript

Premium

The Marauder from 1950 - a promising but unsuccessful British roadster based on the Rover

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on March 13, 2012

Text:

Stefan Fritschi

Photos:

Archiv

14

Archiv

14

Marauder (1950) - illustration from the brochure of the time

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Marauder (1950) - at the performance

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Marauder (1950) - the vehicle with its makers

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Marauder (1950) - in less romantic surroundings

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Marauder (1950) - photographed in less glamorous surroundings

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Marauder (1950) - long front, short rear

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Marauder (1950) - three-seater design, gearshift offset to the right, high-speed gear can be engaged under the steering wheel

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Marauder (1950) - Rover's engine, with increased performance thanks to higher compression and low-resistance air filters

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Marauder (1951) - exhibited on the Rover stand at the 1951 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Marauder (1951) - paid its respects on the Rover stand at the 1951 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Marauder (1951) - Front view of the English sports car at the Geneva Motor Show in 1951

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Marauder (1951) - exhibited between Rover limousines on the Rover stand at the 1951 Geneva Motor Show

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Marauder (1951) - remained a rare vehicle

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Marauder (1951) - elongated shape with little usable space for passengers

You have only

1 out of 14

images seen in high resolution

Marauder (1950) - bei der Vorstellung

Marauder (1950) - das Fahrzeug mit seinen Machern

Marauder (1950) - in wenig romantischer Umgebung

Marauder (1950) - abgelichtet in wenig mondäner Umgebung

Marauder (1950) - lange Front, kurzes Heck

Marauder (1950) - dreisitzig ausgelegt, Schalthebel nach rechts versetzt, Schnellgang unter dem Lenkrad zuschaltbar

Summary

In 1950, three English enthusiasts presented a sports car based on the Rover saloon of the time. They called the car the Marauder. Despite good facilities and favorable feedback from car testers, the enterprising carmakers ran out of funds after producing fifteen vehicles in 1952. Around a dozen vehicles survived. This report tells the story of the Marauder's origins, supported by contemporary photos, brochures and press material.

This article contains the following chapters

Rover men with vision
Based on the Rover 75 (P4)
New wheelbase, new engine position, new gearshift
Version A with 80 hp, version 100 with 105 hp
"Made for fast touring"
Handsome and elegant bodywork
Unfortunately not a Rover
Extensive test drive in Switzerland
Relocation and renaming from Wilks, Mackie & Co to Marauder Car Co.
Korean crisis, restrictive bank loans, lack of raw materials, high taxes
12 of 15 vehicles still exist
Further information

Estimated reading time: 8min

Preview (beginning of the article)

In 1948, three enthusiastic engineers constructed a monoposto racing car with series and prototype parts from Rover and successfully competed in a number of sprints, club and hillclimb races - albeit purely as a private leisure activity and not at the highest level. Nevertheless, with the Rover Special, it was possible to build a veritable racing car with relatively little effort. This still exists and is regularly shown at historic races. The three Rover employees behind the Special were Spencer King, Peter Wilks and George Mackie. Wilks and King were both nephews of the Rover army management under the brothers Spencer and Maurice Wilks. Motivated by the success of their first work, they came up with the idea of creating a road-going sports car with technology based on standard Rover parts. The substructure was thus virtually "stolen" from the employer and was therefore to be given the name "robber". Or in English: Marauder.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Marauder (1950) - bei der Vorstellung

Marauder (1950) - das Fahrzeug mit seinen Machern

Marauder (1950) - in wenig romantischer Umgebung

Marauder (1950) - abgelichtet in wenig mondäner Umgebung

Marauder (1950) - lange Front, kurzes Heck

Marauder (1950) - dreisitzig ausgelegt, Schalthebel nach rechts versetzt, Schnellgang unter dem Lenkrad zuschaltbar

Source: