| Marauder A and 100 | |
| Production: | 1950–1952 15 made[1] |
| Engine: | Rover 2103 cc straight 6 (A model) 2392 cc (100 model) |
| Transmission: | 4-speed manual with optional overdrive |
| Length: | 13'10" (166")(4216mm) |
| Weight: | 1ton 3cwt (2,576lbs)(1,186kg) |
| Wheelbase: | 102"(2,591 mm) |
| Designer: | George Mackie, Spencer King, Peter Wilks |
Marauder Car Company Limited was a British car venture by ex-Rover engineers George Mackie and Peter Wilks. After successfully racing their single-seater Marauder racing car the pair left Rover in 1950 and formed Wilks, Mackie and Company to exploit their idea of a two-seater sports car based on the new Rover 75 chassis. In 1951 they changed the company's name to Marauder Car Company.
Around 15 cars were made before a sharp luxury tax imposed on cars priced over £1,000 brought sales to an end and George Mackie and Peter Wilks rejoined Rover.
The design was largely the work of Peter Wilks and "Spen" King who, like Wilks, was a nephew of brothers Spencer and Maurice Wilks who ran Rover. Spencer King was later famous for his involvement in many Rover and Leyland Group designs. Though usually considered a sports car their new car was marketed as a Marauder Tourer.
The car named the "A", later joined by the more powerful "100", was based on the Rover P4 75 with the chassis shortened by 9inches from 111inches to 102inches, the track remaining the same at 52inches. The suspension was stiffened retaining the coil sprung independent front suspension and elliptical sprung live rear axle. In view of the much lighter 2/3-seater (a single bench seat but the seats were separated on the "100"[2]) open[3] coachwork the engine was moved back to improve handling and front / rear weight distribution. The Rover gearbox was retained with optional Laycock–de Normanville overdrive[2] but not the Rover free wheel mechanism. The gearchange moved from column to floor.[1]
The 6-cylinder, inlet over exhaust valve, 2103 cc Rover engine was slightly modified with higher compression ratio to raise the output by 50NaN0 to 800NaN0 whilst the 100 version was bored out to 2392 cc and fitted with triple SU carburettors to give 1050NaN0. The "A" was capable of 900NaN0 and the "100" 1000NaN0[1]
Manufacturing started in Dorridge, near Solihull, in Warwickshire and later continued in Kenilworth, between 1950 and 1952. In 1951 Wilks, Mackie and Company's name was changed to Marauder Car Company.[4] [1]
The first few bodies were made by Richard Mead in his Dorridge works and used some Rover panels but later ones were made by Abbey Panels of Coventry.[1]
About 15 cars were made including 2 of the "100"s before rising costs and tax changes priced the cars out of the market. The UK government doubled the already high level of Purchase Tax on cars with a pre-tax price above £1000.[5] In 1950 the car cost £1236 rising to over £2000 in 1952.[1]
Both George Mackie and Peter Wilks rejoined Rover.