Fantasy Junction

Description

1969 McLaren M6BGT Replica
s/n M6GTNRO11
Orange with Black Interior

The McLaren M6B GT was the first McLaren road car constructed. Based on the successful M6A that dominated the 1967 Can Am season, the M6B GT was borne out of Bruce McLaren’s desire to build a version of the car with a coupe body suitable for endurance racing. When an FIA rule change required the construction of 50 cars for homologation, the scope of the project became too large, and the plans for using the car as an endurance racer were abandoned. The prototype was completed for Bruce McLaren’s personal use as a street car, and he used it to evaluate the possibility of building and selling McLaren street cars. As a street car, the car was never terribly convincing, but it was an absolutely ludicrous high performance street-legal car whose 1600 pound curb weight (about that of a Mini) and racing derived Chevrolet engine made for an unforgettable experience. A December 1974 road test by Road & Track confirmed the lunacy and performance of the car. It was, in essence, a street-legal Can Am car, one which Bruce McLaren used for daily transport for more than six months until his untimely death in June of 1970. With his customary thoroughness, McLaren embarked on an exhaustive program of testing and development as he investigated what it would be like to use the car as a street car. It was a sort of pet project of his, and thus, when he died in 1970, much of the impetus behind the car’s continuing development was lost. Only one M6B GT was built by McLaren, though a further two or three copies of the car were built by Trojan.

This particular car faithfully replicates the original M6 GT and is built on a monocoque built by Can-Am expert Harold Drinkwater, the same man to whom McLaren owners trust their cars for restoration and repairs of their factory M6’s and other Can Am cars. The car was built using the original McLaren drawings, and beyond the McLaren M10 rear suspension (which was used in an effort to accommodate for the mufflers required for street use), is nearly identical in every way to the only M6 GT constructed, a claim that Fantasy Junction is uniquely equipped to make since we sold that car recently. The car is titled as a 1969 McLaren, and is currently registered in California for road use!

The engine is an aluminum Donovan dry sump small block bored and stroked to 400 c.i. with Trick Flow aluminum heads, four 48 IDA down draft Webers, Weaver 3 stage oil pump, Eagle rods, and MSD electronics. It produces approximately 575hp, which is transmitted via ZF 5-speed transaxle, as was fitted to the original M6BGT. The suspension is of the correct M6 type with Koni coil over shocks with Eibach springs, as well as 17” modular wheels with McLaren-style centers. The brakes are period accurate Hurst Airheart calipers with vented discs. The car also has two 14.5 gallon fuel cells, Willans harnesses. The car is also fitted with A/C.

Cosmetically, the is excellent. The bodywork and paintwork were done to very high standards, with very nice gaps and high quality paint. The wheels sparkle, and the limited amount of chrome (such as on the Talbot mirrors) are also excellent. The glazing is also excellent, and the car has full lighting to ensure that it is street legal. The wheels are larger diameter modular items with the centers styled after the original alloys, and wear wide modern Goodyear tires.

The interior is extremely Spartan and is very nice. The tub is fully polished, and there is a full complement of VDO gauges, as well as Willans harnesses and removable Momo steering wheel to aid ingress and egress. Like the original, the car right hand drive. The engine compartment and underside are both extremely tidy, as would be expected of a recently prepared race car done by a highly regarded professional shop. The quality of the work is evident throughout, with fully coated exhaust system, and braided stainless steel lines with Aeroquip fittings for both fuel and oil.

Although this car is street legal, it is very much a Can-Am car for the road. The seating position and performance are pure race car, making this a tremendously amusing and somewhat over the top car to use on the road. Acceleration and cornering are on-par with virtually any racecar produced in the era, and a not likely to leave the occupants anything other than spell bound.

This a truly unique opportunity to acquire what is essentially a street legal Can-Am car at a fraction of the cost of the one original example built. Additionally, the asking price is less than the cost of duplication. This car has been constructed to very high standards by the best in the business, and is in essentially new condition. There is a binder containing photo documentation of the construction, and the car is an eligible entrant to SCCA vintage, and HSR historic racing venues.

Click here to see the McLaren Driving!

Click here to see the McLaren Driving part II

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.

Inquire About This Car

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