1969 McLaren

1969 McLaren M8B Can-Am

Photos of this car are featured on pages 60, 61 and 63 in the new book McLaren - The Cars 1964  - 2008  by William Taylor. 

History:

This car was painstakingly reconstructed from McLaren M8B parts that were accumulated over 15 years. The entire car has been restored from the tub up by Tom Frederick who was the crew chief on several McLarens in the original Can-Am series in 1993. Original McLaren M8B parts such as suspension, wheels, brakes, steering, radiators were used including the only known original M8B body and original John Bull car cover. Certain parts such as tubular A-arms, trailing links and roll over system were duplicated form original parts for safety reasons. Since the restoration the car has only been raced at Road America and the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England.    

Engine: 

Rebuilt aluminum 460 Chevy, Lucas timed injection, Weaver brothers dry sump, steel crankshaft, Vertex magneto. All Airoquip plumbing.

Transaxle:

Hewland LG500 4 speed with reverse, limited slip differential. Triple plate clutch.

Brakes:

12 inch vented rotors, Lockheed magnesium calipers.

Chassis:

Aluminum monocoque with steel bulkheads.

Dimensions: 

Length – 154”. Wheelbase – 94”; front track – 57.6”, rear track – 56” overall.

Wheels are 15” x 11” fronts, 17” rears.

Suspension:

High wing with suspension mounted struts.

Front - single top link with radius arm, lower wishbone, coil spring/Koni shock.

Rear – radius arms top link, reversed lower wishbone, coil spring//Koni shock.

Rack and pinion steering and heavy duty BRD roller splined half shafts.