McLaren has brought back one of its historic cars by rebuilding the M6GT, its very first road car.
Before the F1, Bruce McLaren had developed the M6GT in the late 1960s by turning a race car into a road vehicle.
McLaren M6GT: A Special Project Inspired By Bruce McLarenThe original M6GT was based on the M6A race car.
Bruce McLaren wanted to build a road car that could offer racing performance with everyday usability.
McLaren M6GT: Original Engine And Classic Design Kept IntactJust like the original car, the recreated M6GT is powered by a 5.7-litre Chevrolet V8 engine.
McLaren has rebuilt the iconic M6GT using original drawings, moulds and photos. The one-off model will be displayed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
McLaren has brought back one of its historic cars by rebuilding the M6GT, its very first road car. Many people believe the McLaren F1 was the brand's first road-going model, but that is not true. Before the F1, Bruce McLaren had developed the M6GT in the late 1960s by turning a race car into a road vehicle. The project never entered mass production, but now, after more than five decades, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has recreated the car using original drawings, moulds and old photographs.
McLaren M6GT: A Special Project Inspired By Bruce McLaren
The original M6GT was based on the M6A race car. Bruce McLaren wanted to build a road car that could offer racing performance with everyday usability. Only three cars were planned, and one of them was used by Bruce McLaren himself. However, the project did not move ahead as a production model, making the M6GT one of the rarest cars in the company's history.
McLaren Special Operations has now recreated the car as a one-off model. The team carefully studied the original drawings, photographs, and body moulds before starting the project. The recreated M6GT will be displayed at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, where visitors will see the car for the first time.
McLaren M6GT: Original Engine And Classic Design Kept Intact
Just like the original car, the recreated M6GT is powered by a 5.7-litre Chevrolet V8 engine. The engine produces around 365bhp and is paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. McLaren has also retained the special cylinder heads used in the original car to keep it as close as possible to Bruce McLaren's design.
The chassis comes from an original M6A race car, while the body has been built using the original moulds. Even small parts such as the rivets and fittings have been recreated to match the original car. McLaren says several old manufacturing methods were used to make sure every detail looked authentic.
One of the most difficult parts of the project was making the windscreen. The team scanned the original glass and worked with a specialist company to create a new one with the same shape and size. The finished car has been painted in Colnbrook White, a colour named after the factory where Bruce McLaren worked on the M6GT project many years ago.
The interior has also been designed to stay close to the original model. It gets green trim inspired by McLaren's 1966 Formula racing car, the M2B. The cabin also features simple vinyl seats, a wooden gear lever and basic instruments, giving it a classic look without adding modern features.
This recreated M6GT is not a production model and will remain a one-off creation. More than just a restored car, it celebrates Bruce McLaren's original dream of building a road-going sports car. The project also shows how the company continues to respect its history while moving towards the future.
