1966 McLaren M1B
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Serial Number: 30-09 (dash plaque) Engine Number: 67/05 Logbooks: FIA papers Condition: Excellent Price: Offers over Location: United Kingdom |
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DescriptionAn excellent example of the first of the long line of CamAm racers upon which the reputation of McLaren was built, this car underwent a complete ground up check by the currnet owner since it was purchased in 1997. The car has been professionally prepared by Adams and McCall, ex McLaren F1 technicians who are also running the car for the owner in the European Group 4 Championship. The car is eligable for both Group 4 and The Supersports Cup as well as the US Historic Can Am and USRRC. Between these series the car can run in a points championhip at virtually every significant course in the US as well as Spa, Silverstone, Nurburgring, Monza, Le Mans, and Brands Hatch to name just a few. Any future owner should not be at a loss for entertainment! |
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A chance meeting with Frank Nichols, whose ailing Elva concern had recently been taked over by the Lambretta-Trojan Group, provided the solution to McLaren's disinterest in building customer cars. The Trojan-built customer Mk1, retroactively titled Mk1A, first appeared at the 1965 Race Car Show. The M1B was the updated spcification for 1966, being sold in the States as the McLaren-Elva Mk 2 to further confuse the nomenclature.
The M1B non-started at the intended debut at Mont-Tremblant due to a broken crank. At Mosport Bruce took pole and just beat Jim Hall's Chaparral in the first heat, trading places in the second. For the LA Times GP at Riverside Bruce surrendered a commanding lead due to a puncture, finishing 3rd. Then, at Nassau he took a resounding win, assuring the model's competition and commercial success, as well as McLaren's.
This particular car has spent it's entire competition career in Europe. Originally owned by Ken Sheppard and raced by Keith St. John under London Radio colors. Among the results it achieved in period were:
| 6/4/66 | RAC TT Oulton Park Heat 1 Heat 2 | 11th 16th |
| 21/1/67 | Racing Car Show, Brands Hatch, Race 1 Race 2 | 1st 2nd |
| 30/4/67 | Guards Championship, Brand Hatch | 1st |
The car then passed to Bob Rose who sold it back to Trojan in 1969. The following owners are associated by year: 1970: John Jordan, 1971: Alan Brodie, 1973: Peter Taylor, 1975: Geoffrey Breakall, 1977: John Beasley, 1978: Dave Preece, 1979: Mike Harrison, 1982: Roger Williams. In 1985, Coys sold the car to the Massimer Collection in Germany, where it was restored and a roll cage fitted by McLarens. It remained unused until sold to the present owner at Coys Silverstone in 1997.
