Mclaren Elva M1A 1965

[Sick Cylinder]

Group 7 Sports Racing Car / Can Am Race Car

The original McLaren Group 7 car raced in 1964 with a 4.5 litre Oldsmobile V8 with such success that there was strong demand from privateers for replicas. McLaren reached an agreement with Trojan, the owners of Elva to build the cars. They were known as McLaren-Elvas and were used by privateers in the 1965 racing season. With the demand for more power Ford or Chevrolet motors were fitted.

Elvis even drove one in the film "Spinout" - his car had previously been raced by Graham Hill. Click the following link for full details and many pictures.

http://www.fantasyjunction.com/cars/973-McLaren-M1A-5.7 Litre 350 c.i. Chevrolet 8-Cylinder


The M1A has special historical significance as it was Mclarens first in-house design and the first McLaren for which replicas were made for privateer teams. It was successful in both sports car and early Can Am racing.

More history from the following excellent site:

http://www.bruce-mclaren.com/the-cars/sports-cars/m1a.html

The Spinout film trailer - watch it for the gorgeous cars!

 

[Dr P Grunfelde]

A car as historic as McLaren's first race car produced for sale to privateers as the McLaren Elva M1A deserves to be in the game. This short clip from Brands Hatch in 1965 shows the cars and their competitors and captures some of the atmosphere - in those days in the UK they were known as the "Big Bangers" because of their large engines.

 

[JKgo]

...Anything to do with the King gets my vote. Although, thread title do need a rethink...

 

[Sick Cylinder]

...Anything to do with the King gets my vote. Although, thread title do need a rethink...

Thread title now updated.

 

[Famine]

Thread title now updated.

Needs a bit more of a rethink to fit the guidelines...

 

[Sick Cylinder]

Updated