McLaren M16 with a Chevy V8

[scalecentral]

Not sure if anyone has seen this before. I found it looking for pics of the M16C and D.



I never knew this car existed until today. My question is did this ever run and where? I know this is a restored car and therefore not very accurate probably. I have an old McLaren kit without an engine and could very easily find a 427 to throw on it.
Nic

[professor]

This car never existed with a Chevy. The guy who owns it probably can't find or afford an OFFY. It was at the Speedway on carb day. Heresy IMO.

[Patrick]

This does look like a M16. However, there was a F5000 McLaren that looked like a M16 with a Chevy. That was the M25 of which only one was made and raced in England. I have a M25 built using a modified AMT M16. It's sitting behind the Indy Cooper project.

Patrick

[scalecentral]

That M25 looks cool. I'm not sure why people who restore things can't ever get them right.
Nic

[eagle36]

It's a McLaren M16C. The M25 looks exactly like the M23, except for the airbox. Go to The Nostalgia Forum: forums.autosport.com/index.php?showtopic=8049&hl=McLaren+M25
for pictures and the history of the one M25 ever built.

The car in this thread is for sale in the Nov/Dec Vintage Motorsport on page 124 for $200,000, with a turbo Offy available.
Toward the end of their careers, some M16s, including this one, were run with Chevy enginces.

[indycals]

The car was owned by Harry Mathews here in Denver - he owns/owned several McLarens. He most certainly could afford the Offy, but I don't know why it was restored with a Chevy. It has since been sold and was at IMS this year - IIRC someone in Australia now owns it. Other than the engine, the restoration looks pretty accurate. There is actually a book out about Harry's car collection. I did meet Harry once, but at the time I did not know that he was the uncle of my brother in law's wife!

[Calvin]

It just needs a offy and the rear wing needs to be corrected. Then it needs an engine cover...

Is it me or is the wheel base shorter than the original spec.

[scalecentral]

I found a final reference that had Peter Revson racing twice in 1973 with a Chevy V8. Also, the car raced in the1978, 1980, and 1982 Indy 500 with a V8. I think I may do the 1978 or 1980 version. The later ones don't look much like a M16 but you can tell it is there. I'll post some pics soon of the actual car. Merry Christmas everyone!
Nic

[scalecentral]

Here is the car in 1978



Here it is in 1980



I'm liking the 1980 better, but who knows which i will do.
Nic