ULTIMA HISTORY IN BRIEF 1983-1991

1983 

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    • Lee Noble, acclaimed automotive engineer and designer, sets up Noble Motorsport Ltd and launches the Ultima Mk1.

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    • The Ultima Mk1 had a square tube space frame chassis, Ford Cortina front uprights/brakes/steering, Austin Princess radiator and Renault front uprights/brakes on the rear. The V6 engine and transmission were taken from a Renault 30.

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    Original brochure:
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    First seen in “Kitcars and Specials” magazine:

    1984-9 

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    The Ultima Mk2 was developed which replaced the problematic Renault rear suspension with Noble Motorsports own alloy uprights which were machined to accept a Renault wheel bearing and Lancia Beta rear brakes.
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    Chassis for the Ultima Mk2:
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    • Ted Marlow becomes Noble Motorsports first customer for an Ultima by purchasing an Ultima Mk2 with Ford 3.1litre V6 Essex power.

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    Ted Marlow’s Ultima Mk 2:
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    Lee Noble and Ted Marlow promoting the cars in a photo shoot at Newark market centre:
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    • Lee Noble and Ted Marlow go on to race their cars in a race series sponsored by Ted Marlow’s Civil Engineering company.

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    Ted Marlow’s Ultima Mk 2 at Mallory:
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    Ted Marlow cutting Lee Noble off at the Mallory Park hairpin in a debate over 1st and 2nd positions:
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    After race discussion between Ted Marlow (front) and Lee Noble (rear) several races later once the red mist had lifted:
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    • Lee Noble goes on to win the series.

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    Ted Marlow re-engineers his Ultima Mk2 to accept a small block Chevrolet V8 coupled to a four speed Porsche transaxle along with revised suspension and bodywork:
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    Ted Marlow fits a small block Chevrolet V8 Formula 5000 based engine into his Ultima Mk2:
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    Ted Marlow decides to modify the rear bodywork of his Ultima Mk2:
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    Ted Marlow’s Ultima Mk2 records many race wins in a race series now sponsored by Forwell Designs:
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    Ted Marlow wins at Oulton Park in heavy rain:
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    Ted Marlow builds a small block Chevrolet 377cu ins (6.2litre) V8 using a bowtie block and Kinsler injection to give a higher torque figure and improve corner exit speeds:
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    • Noble Motorsport Ltd commission a new Ultima body to be designed by an aluminium-rolling specialist that was formed in alloy sheet prior to the fibreglass moulds being taken. This shape becomes the Ultima Mk3.

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    Noble Motorsport Ltd designs a new space frame chassis and the Ultima Mk3 is launched still only offered with V6 Renault power and donor parts:
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    An Ultima Spyder prototype is built by Noble Motorsport Ltd in race form only:

    1989-90 

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    Other customers copy Ted Marlow’s philosophy and fit small block Chevrolet V8 engines into their Ultima racecars:
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    • Chevrolet V8 powered Ultima cars dominate races for five years. Taking championship victories every season.

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    • Ultima cars hold the outright lap record for any car on road tyres (race regulations stipulated only road tyres could be used) on every circuit they race on.

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    Ted Marlow’s Ultima Mk2 leads an Ultima Mk3 and Ultima Spyder prototype into the Mallory Park hairpin on lap one and go on to record yet another Ultima 1-2-3 victory:
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    Ultima Mk2 and an Ultima Mk3 lead the race:
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    Ultima Mk3 and Ultima Spyder prototype start race on the front row of the grid again at Cadwell Park:
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    Ultima Spyder prototype at Cadwell Park going on to win the race:
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    • The Ultima marque would often lap the entire field in a race at least once.

    1991 

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    • Ultima effectively banned from racing for being too quick and therefore deemed unfair to other competitors.

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    Ted Marlow purchases an Ultima Mk3 in component form for road use:
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    Ted Marlow builds a Renault V6 with 260bhp that came with his Ultima Mk3 kit and sells the engine on:
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    And re-engineers his entire Ultima Mk3 kit to accept a small block Chevrolet 350cu ins (5.7litre) V8 with Motec injection coupled to a Porsche 4 speed transaxle:

     

     

    The McLaren Connection