Evolution

"What if..."

Life on earth evolved through the Darwin principle of “natural selection” in which different species altered and adapted to a changing environment.

Car enthusiasts gather at events such as the Bo’ness Revival or the Thirlestane Castle Classic Show to celebrate iconic designs from past decades, and perhaps dream of owning a car they have seen Racing at Charterhall, Ingliston, Knockhill or International events such as the Targa Florio or the Le Mans 24 Hour Race.

Current political and environmental thinking is however leading to electric power and eventually autonomous cars that will not require a driver. Circa Cars believe there could be interest in producing a limited edition of bespoke designs that capture the spirit of iconic Classics but using lightweight composite monocoques and smaller more efficient engines. When technology and costs have reached a suitable level, electric power or Hydrogen Fuel Cells could equally be installed.

Evolutions Series

Circa Cars are launching the "Evolution" series that considers the "What If…" scenario.

• What if the Jaguar E Type had been further developed in a mid engine form rather than the XJS?

• What if more elements from the 1962 Adams XP had been incorporated in the Marcos GT design?

• Would the Unipower GT still be in production if it had used a composite monocoque and Coventry Climax engine rather than a spaceframe and Mini drivetrain?

• What if the 4 seater Marcos Mantis M70 had a few design tweaks, and a lightweight Jaguar V6 Engine and 4 wheel drive ?

• Would the Clan Crusader have survived if it had more power and an improved aero package?

• What if the Adams Probe 15 had been developed with easier access and a central driver position with 2 passengers behind?

Marcos Evo XP

Launched at the 2018 Bo’ness Revival, the Evolution XP has been created by Circa Cars in their prototype studio in Kelso in the Scottish Borders. The Evolution XP prototype merges the DNA of the Adams XP, the Marcos GT, with the cockpit and gullwing doors from the Andromeda Probe 15 update that Circa Cars displayed at previous Bo’ness and BVAC Classic Shows.

The Adams XP (1962)

In 1962, Dennis and Peter Adams designed a radical 3 seater, rear-engined sports car to replace the Marcos Fastback. Featuring a central drivers seat and 2 set back passengers seats it predated the McLaren F1 use of this layout by 3 decades!

It was powered by an air-cooled Corvair engine rear mounted like the Porsche 911, but was probably a bit too radical for 1962 production and sadly was never completed. The Adams brothers then produced a “stop-gap” design for Jem Marsh in 1963, and this became the iconic Marcos GT that remained in production on and off for around 40 years .

The Adams Marcos GT (1963)

Unveiled at the 1963 Earls Court Racing Car Show, the Marcos GT was a sensation, and attracted orders from Rock Stars such as Rod Stewart. At 43” in height it was one of the lowest cars ever produced, until the Adams Brothers created the Probe 15 in 1969. The long bonnet was reminiscent of the Jaguar E Type or even the Ferrari 250 GTO, and was a remarkable achievement for a small company like Marcos.

The Marcos Evolution XP

The Adams XP was built more than 50 years ago - could this evolution model with its composite monocoque and mid-engine power unit from the Lotus Elise or MGTF become a viable limited production model for road or track day use? A recent visitor to the workshop in Kelso said “It feels like a Studio of evolving ideas, cutting edge ideas that are really modern, but referencing classic eras. I love it”. Another potential customer arrived in his brand new Ferrari 488 GTB, and ordered the first one out of the moulds!