McLaren Rebuilds Its First Road Car, The M6GT, To Absolute Perfection
McLaren Special Operations restored the one-off M6GT, a tribute to the company's first road car.
Key Takeaways
- McLaren Special Operations restored the one-off M6GT.
- It was built using original molds and designs from Bruce McLaren.
- It’s powered by a small-block Chevrolet V8, like the original.
- The M6GT was McLaren’s first road car, built in the late 1960s.
- The restoration was a labor of craft and care for the MSO team.
What is the M6GT?
The M6GT is a road car built by McLaren in the late 1960s, based on the M6A race car. It was Bruce McLaren’s personal vehicle and never entered production.
The M6GT was a unique project, with only three cars planned, but only one was completed. The car was powered by a 5.7-liter small-block Chevrolet V8, producing around 370 horsepower.
How was the M6GT restored?
The restoration was carried out by McLaren Special Operations (MSO), using original drawings, molds, and photographs. The chassis was from an original M6A race car, while the bodywork was formed from Bruce McLaren’s original molds.
The restoration required attention to detail, with imperial measurements used for the hardware, which the United Kingdom stopped using in the 1960s. The windshield was particularly tricky to create, requiring scans of the original that were sent to a specialist.
What are the key features of the restored M6GT?
The restored M6GT is finished in Colnbrook White, a cream color named after the factory where Bruce McLaren developed the idea for his first road car. The interior is simple, with a walnut gear shift, vinyl seats, and basic gauges.
The green interior is a nod to the first McLaren F1 car, the 1966 M2B. The car also features a five-speed manual transmission and a unique engine with double “camel hump” cylinder heads.
Why is the M6GT significant?
The M6GT is significant because it is McLaren’s first road car, built in the late 1960s. It is a tribute to the company’s founder, Bruce McLaren, and a reminder of the company’s ambition to take McLaren beyond the race track.
The restoration is a labor of craft and care for the MSO team, and the car will be displayed at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the M6GT?
The M6GT is a road car built by McLaren in the late 1960s, based on the M6A race car. It was Bruce McLaren’s personal vehicle and never entered production.
Q: How was the M6GT restored?
The restoration was carried out by McLaren Special Operations (MSO), using original drawings, molds, and photographs.
Q: What are the key features of the restored M6GT?
The restored M6GT is finished in Colnbrook White, a cream color named after the factory where Bruce McLaren developed the idea for his first road car. The interior is simple, with a walnut gear shift, vinyl seats, and basic gauges.
