Just when it seemed that 2020 would be a sabbatical year for Jim Marsden—left without a race car—fate had other plans. An unexpected opportunity arose when his former race car, Bad Penny, came up for sale, offering him a chance to reunite with an old companion. True to its name, Bad Penny made its return, proving that some machines are destined for greatness. What followed was nothing short of remarkable. With a dedicated rebuild and an unyielding determination, Marsden brought Bad Penny back to life, taking on the BF Goodrich King of Britain with an unforgettable performance. But what makes this legendary Defender-based race car so special? Join me as we dive into the story behind this triumphant return of Bad Penny, its technical evolution, and the thrilling race that marked Marsden’s spectacular comeback.
Bad Penny: The Unexpected Return of Jim Marsden
When it seemed that 2020 would be a sabbatical year for Jim Marsden—left without a race car—fate had a surprise in store for him. His old race car was up for sale, and he seized the opportunity to bring it home. Like a “bad penny” that always turns up when you least expect it, Marsden restored his “new old” Defender to compete, dominate, and ultimately win the BF Goodrich King of Britain.
A Walk Through the Paddock: An Unexpected Discovery
Whenever I attend a race, one of the first things I do is stroll through the paddock, looking for new vehicles and compelling stories. I followed this routine at the BF Goodrich King of Britain, and much of my curiosity was directed toward the Gigglepin Racing team. I knew that in March, Jim Marsden had sold Little Lady, his race car, and I was eager to find out what he would be driving for this event.
Through his Facebook posts, I knew he would be on the starting grid, but his vehicle remained shrouded in mystery.
A Surprise in the Gigglepin Racing Pit
When I arrived at the Gigglepin pit, after the usual greetings, Jim Marsden unveiled his race car for the King of Britain. “Here, Paolo, this is Bad Penny… do you recognize it?” And how could I not? Of course, I remembered it!
This was Jim’s old Defender-based race car, the same one that had accompanied him through many adventures in 2014 and 2015, securing victories in prestigious events such as the Croatia Trophy, Rallye Breslau Poland, and Ironman Warriors Challenge, as well as earning second place in the 2014 Ultra4 Europe Championship.
Why Is Jim Marsden’s “New Old” Car Called Bad Penny?
The name Bad Penny comes from an old English saying: “A bad penny always turns up.” It refers to something—or someone—unwanted or unexpected that keeps reappearing, often at inconvenient times.
This expression has deep historical roots, with one theory tracing it back to the Middle Ages, when a damaged coin would always find its way back into circulation. The phrase was even used in the 14th-century poem Piers Plowman by William Langland. By the 18th century, it had become a widely recognized proverb in both spoken and written form. Another theory suggests a more recent origin, linking it to a bent penny that was useless for coin-operated machines, such as public restrooms.
Back in 2015, as he was preparing for the construction of Little Lady by Offroad Armoury, Marsden sold Bad Penny to a Danish team. Fast-forward to March 2020: after selling Little Lady to New Zealand, he found himself without a new project, seemingly destined for a year away from competition.
Unexpectedly, in late May, the Danish team put Bad Penny up for sale. Marsden wasted no time in reacquiring it, abandoning his plans for a new vehicle. Immediately, he and his team began restoring the car, preparing it in record time for the Ultra4 Europe event in Wales.
For the record, Jim Marsden’s return with Bad Penny at the BF Goodrich King of Britain was nothing short of spectacular—he dominated and won the race.
The Technical Secrets of Bad Penny
Back at Gigglepin 4×4 headquarters in Kent, Marsden and his team rolled up their sleeves to breathe new life into their trusted companion. In 2014, the base vehicle for this build was a Defender 90. While its exterior still resembles the iconic Land Rover, significant technical modifications set it apart.
One unique aspect of Bad Penny is its chassis. Unlike most Ultra4 Unlimited vehicles that feature a tubular frame, Bad Penny was built on a boxed steel chassis designed by Jim Marsden and manufactured by Richards Chassis, a UK-based company specializing in Defender frames. While it maintains the general design of a stock Defender chassis, it incorporates modifications in wheelbase, engine mounts, suspension points, and trail-back.
Here’s what makes Bad Penny a true beast on the track:
- Engine: GM LS3 6.2L (525 HP)
- Axles: Spidertrax Pro-Series with 35-spline shafts and ARB RD99CE lockers
- Transmission: Quaife Engineering R380 6-speed sequential gearbox
- Transfer Case: Rover LT230
- Chassis: Richards Chassis race frame, designed by Jim Marsden
- Roll Cage: Protection & Performance T45 Race
- Suspension: Fox Coilovers (Eibach springs) and Triple Bypass shocks tuned by Paul Jones of Prolinx Suspension
- Cooling: AlliSport radiator
- Batteries: 2x ODYSSEY PC1500
- Tires: Maxxis Trepador 40/13.5×17
- Wheels: Raceline Monster Beadlocks
- Brakes: D&G calipers, Spidertrax discs, EBC pads
- Tireballs: Only for winch challenge races
- Seats: Corbeau Sprint Kevlar
- Steering: D&G Tuning with Howe TT pump
- Lights: Lazer High Performance Lighting
- Winches: Gigglepin Winches GP100 (front and rear)
- Fuel Tank: 120L ATL
- Lubricants: Morris Oils
- Driveshafts: Bailey Morris Extreme Series
- Air System: ARB High Output Compressor
- Dashboard: Custom aluminum by AlliSport, designed by Jim Marsden
- Navigation: 2x Terratrip 303 Plus V6 and a Dell Latitude tablet PC
Adding to its distinctive look, Bad Penny features a striking camouflage wrap, composed of various stylized images of the vehicle in different colors.
