1967 McLaren M4A

Documents: Bill of Sale

Chassis No. 200-13F

Ahead of the 1967 racing season, Bruce McLaren Motor Racing – still under the auspices of its eponymous founder – set its sights on the hotly contested Formula 2 series. The design of McLaren's first F2 car was led by engineer Robin Herd, who previously worked on the Concorde supersonic aircraft, and later co-founded March Engineering. Herd's design for the M4A was beautiful (what's fast often is), with clean, purposeful lines and a faired-in engine. The customer-focused M4A was adaptable to F2, F3, or other specifications, and it even formed the basis for McLaren's M4B Formula 1 car.

With McLaren primarily focused on Formula 1, production of customer M4A chassis was contracted to Trojan Limited. An accompanying McLaren by Trojan Verification Certificate dated August 2000 shows chassis 200-13F was delivered new as a rolling chassis to Graham Warner's The Chequered Flag, the famed U.K.-based dealer and privateer racing squad. It is understood that the car was built to Formula 3 specifications and campaigned for driver Ian Ashley. At the end of the 1968 season, The Chequered Flag listed four M4As for sale, and it is believed that 200-13F was acquired by Max Callicott of California, who raced it at various West Coast venues in the early '70s. Callicott owned the car through 1981, and subsequent owners are known.

Setting 200-13F apart today is the superb restoration and presentation. In the early 2000s, the tub was rebuilt by leading McLaren chassis specialist Marc Bahner Engineering, using the original bulkheads to ensure accuracy. More recently, the bodywork was restored and refinished to a high standard in period-correct Papaya Orange with authentically reproduced McLaren livery and period sponsor details. The consignor reports that there are fewer than 12 hours on the Dave Vegher-built 1.6-liter Ford-Cosworth FVA engine. The beautifully polished exhaust is equipped with a silencer for noise-restricted venues. Additionally, J&L Fabrication rebuilt the Hewland FT200 gearbox with new REM-treated internals, at a reported expense of €30.000.

The McLaren M4A is prized by historic racers today, and chassis 200-13F presents an exceptional opportunity to acquire a beautifully prepared and lively example, ideal for entry into competitive series such as the F2 Classic Interseries or various national and international historic single-seater events.