Fantasy Junction

Description

1967 McLaren Mk. IV Formula B Racecar
s/n 200/10/B
Racing Red with a Blue Seat

Following the demise of Group 7 racing in England McLaren decided to build a car for the new 1600cc F2 class in Europe, and FB class in North America. The Robin Herd designed Mk. 4A F2 car was announced in February 1967 and was to be built by Lambretta-Trojan. While the M4A was built for Formula 2, the Mk. 4B was the Trojan production car for American Formula B racing.

In total, only twenty five Mk. 4 cars were built in 1967 and 1968. The Mk. 4A/B was built from comparatively simple constant diameter bathtub monocoque, formed from aluminum paneling which was bonded and riveted to four steel bulkheads. The Mk. 4A/B`s suspension is double wishbones located by long radius arms front and rear with conventional outboard springs. The lower body is formed by the Monocoque, the nose and the cockpit surround being fiberglass. The car ran on McLarn/Elva cast magnesium wheels, thirteen inch high with seven inch wide rims at the front and ten inch rims at the rear. At just 960lbs the Mk. 4B is an extremely light car, and was just over the F2 minimum weight.

In North America, the McLaren Mk. 4B and Brabham BT-21s and BT-29s absolutely dominated in Formula B. This particular chassis was delivered new to Chuck Dietrich who won 10 of 11 races during the 1967 SCCA National championship season, en route to winning the SCCA FB championship in 1967. Dietrich drove a second Mk. 4B to seven more wins in 1968! A photo of this car was featured in the 1967 Road America 500 at Elkhart Lake race poster as the Formula B grid was a support race for the Can-Am. Included in the sale is memorabilia from Dietrich`s team.

This car was sold by Chuck Dietrich and passed through a number of known owners before being acquired by Jim Brown of San Diego, California who commissioned a thorough restoration. The car was re-tubbed by Bahner, and both the motor and transmission were rebuilt. All the suspension arms were re-nickel plated, uprights restored and refinished, brake lines replaced with steel braided units, new water lines, and new seat upholstery. The restoration was a high caliber effort to make the car absolutely as good as possible. Jim Brown sold the car to the current owner who has commissioned John Anderson to professionally support and prepare the car for the four Classic Sports Racing Group (CSRG) vintage events that the car participated in. There was no expense spared in preparing and fielding the car. The engine was just rebuilt by Anderson and was dyno`d at 186hp (the sheets are included). It has done one weekend since being fully rebuilt. Schlossnagel in El Cajon, California disassembled, inspected and reassembled the transaxle, replacing the dog rings in the process.

While at John Anderson`s the bodywork was repainted and a new lexan windscreen fabricated. New two-way adjustable Spax shocks and new brake rotors have just been fitted. The original Trojan/Elva wheels have been restored. New True Mag wheels are currently being built by Lee Chapman, which should be finished by the end of October, and are included with the sale. Also included in the sale are the full set of body molds, certification from Trojan Cars for this chassis number, and the Road America 500 poster featuring this car.

Currently the car is in exceptional cosmetic condition with a clean, straight tub, fresh paint, tidy engine and gearbox, and nicely re-nickel plated suspension arms. The car involved in a minor accident at Thunder Hill in 2006, where the right front corner was damaged, but all damaged parts were replaced and no evidence of this can been seen on the car today.

This is the ideal Formula B weapon for CSRG, HMSA, and HSR. You would be challenged to find a less expensive tubbed McLaren racecar with the same history and in the same condition. As a national championship winner with undoubted history, this Mk. 4B is situated nicely to appreciate as these cars become more sought after with each passing year.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608