As a slightly younger man MotorMartin was fascinated by the McLaren F1 for many different reasons. Perhaps it was that amazing prize tag of a shade over £500,000, or maybe it was performance figures that blew your mind, a top speed of over 230mph, 0-60mph in 3.2sec, 0-100mph in just 6.3sec and 0-150mph in 12.8sec, and all this back in 1993, when MotorMartin was driving around in an A-Reg, brown 1.2L Vauxhall Nova. A proper driver’s car I’m sure you’ll all agree.
Back then the McLaren F1 was regarded by many as the car which rewrote the supercar rule book and with only 64 roadcar examples built between 1993 and 1998, the original McLaren F1 is one of the rarest and highly-regarded models among collectors, enthusiasts and petrolheads, which may well explain the truly outrageous prices that the McLaren fetches on the rare occasion that one becomes available for sale. And yet, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) continues to maintain and manage McLaren F1s globally, and is even offering one of the last ever and finest examples of this highly-regarded model for sale. McLaren F1 chassis #069 is in factory condition, having covered less than 2,800 miles since new. WOW.
McLaren have shared with MotorMartin that during 1998, only six examples of the original McLaren F1 were completed, and chassis #069 was the 60th model overall to be hand-built in Woking, England. It is presented in Carbon Black complimented by subtle detailing throughout, including a stealth finish to the 17-inch centre-locking magnesium wheels. The central driving seat is finished in black and contrasting red leather, with the dual passenger seats upholstered in Alcantara®. It looks absolutely stunning.
McLaren F1 chassis #069 is UK registered with all UK taxes paid and offered for sale exclusively through McLaren Special Operations Heritage division with fitted luggage, thank goodness, complete Facom titanium lightweight tool kit and Facom tool box, all books and literature, including the correct numbered LM Edition of the ’Driving Ambition’ McLaren F1 book and limited edition McLaren F1 owner’s watch. Is this then the best ever F1 currently for sale anywhere in the World? In MotorMartin’s eyes it would certainly appear to be.
THE McLAREN F1 – A TRUE ICON
As most of you will know, the McLaren F1 was designed by Gordon Murray and Peter Stevens and developed and designed with a no compromise approach, world-beating Formula 1 expertise and technology, and the most driver-focused driving experience at its core. A true pioneering tour de force, the McLaren F1 was the first road car to feature a full carbon fibre chassis, and with a central driving position, engine bay lined with gold and famed McLaren obsession for technical excellence, is considered a true modern-day automotive icon. Powered by a bespoke naturally-aspirated mid-mounted 6.1-litre V12 engine producing 636PS (627bhp), it broke the record for fastest production roadcar with a top speed of 390.7km/h (242.8 mph) and, more than 20 years on, still holds the title of fastest naturally-aspirated production road car ever built. Amazing.
McLAREN SPECIAL OPERATIONS
McLaren Special Operations have informed MotorMartin that they have evolved out of the McLaren Customer Care programme, which dates back more than 20 years to the days of the McLaren F1 road car. The team looked after servicing and maintaining McLaren F1s for owners the world over. It also undertook personalisation when cars changed hands: new owners often wanted to put their own marks on their vehicles. Today, MSO continues to service, maintain and offer brokerage services for all examples of the McLaren F1.
Please contact specialoperations@mclaren.com for further details and enquiries about McLaren F1 #069. And then speak to MotorMartin about reviewing this superb example of what no compromise looks like in a Supercar. Just keep reminding yourself that this was back in 1993 yet still looks just as beautiful and contemporary as it has always done.
Where will you go?