LOT 101
1970 McLaren M8C Coachwork by Trojan Chassis no. 70-08
Estimate: US$250,000 - US$350,000
Lot 101
1970 McLaren M8C Coachwork by Trojan
1970 McLaren M8C
Coachwork by Trojan
Chassis no. 70-08
Coachwork by Trojan
Chassis no. 70-08
350ci OHV Chevrolet V8 Engine
4 Twin-Choke Weber Carburetors
Est 650bhp at 7,000rpm
5-Speed Hewland Transaxle
4-Wheeel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
*Expertly restored by Phil Reilly
*Campaigned in many vintage racing invents including the Monterey Historics
*Offered with McLaren Trojan verification statement
*Logbook on file from CSRG, HSMA, and General Racing
THE MCLARN M8C
A cyclone of concentrated energy named Bruce McLaren came roaring out of New Zealand's southern climes in 1958 to achieve unprecedented successes as a driver, engineer, and team owner. A man of modest temperament, when engaged with the competition or while wrestling a thorny mechanical issue, McLaren was relentless in his search for solutions. Sadly, this vortex of energy was lost while testing one of his own car designs, at Goodwood in 1970.
McLaren's career as a driver was stellar, with wins in Formula One, at Le Mans and Sebring, and, of course, most famously in the Canadian-American Challenge Cup or Can-Am. It was in that no-holds-barred series where McLaren blossomed as a constructor and team owner, when Bruce McLaren Racing captured the title over five straight seasons. McLaren piloted an M6A-Chevrolet to the first championship, in 1967. Iterations of the successor McLaren M8 won again, beginning in 1968 with Denny Hulme in a M8A. McLaren took back the title in 1969 in the improved (and dominating) M8B. Hulme won once again in 1970, and Peter Revson capped off the championship run in 1971 in the last of the M8s, the M8F.
This reign of success prompted a demand for customer cars. Too small itself to implement their construction, in 1969 McLaren Racing contracted with British firm Trojan Cars to build a run of cars identical to the M8B (fifteen were produced), except in the design of the chassis, which would no longer use the engine as a stressed member and so would open the way for buyers to run their choice of engine.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Indeed the first customer car, 70-01, ordered by Alan de Cadenet and campaigned by Chris Craft, was fitted with a Ford-Cosworth DFV V8. Designated the M8C, most of these customer cars ran in the Can-Am, but three examples took a different, intriguing route from Trojan to the track. The car offered today, McLaren M8C 70-08, is one of those, and it was also the only one to be raced.
McLaren M8C 70-08 was one of three chassis delivered to Argentina for use as development racers by Ford. The job of completing one of the cars was given to Carlos Pairetti and a team of local fabricating talent. Pairetti was its first driver; Luiz Greco's Equipe Greco Racing Team directed the effort. The car's debut was on May 9, 1971 at the Maggiolo Autodrome, where it finished third. Of the seven races it ran that season, 70-08 also captured a first and second, placing Pairetti third in the final standings. The car changed hands for the 1972 season, with Greek Ford Fabrini entering 70-08 in eight races with four different drivers. A fourth at Tarumá was its best effort before being retired at the end of the season
It languished in storage until American restoration expert Phil Reilly brought it to his shop for a complete workover in 1988. The small-block Ford that had been used in South America was replaced with a small-block Chevy 350, rebuilt with Carillo rods, roller rockers and cam; dry sump lubrication; and stainless-steel headers. The gearbox is a Hewland LG 500 five-speed with a Tilton three-plate clutch. The four Weber downdraft carburetors used in South America were retained as well as all original components to fit the Ford engine and bell housing.
This beautifully kept racer has appeared in many historic events and is ready to run with very little required maintenance. The M8's durability was a major reason the car was so successful. McLaren M8C 70-08 comes with a verification statement of its authenticity from Trojan signed by Peter Agg, spare wheels, spare body pieces, and a few suspension components. Rare is the opportunity to own a storied race car in such exceptional shape.
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Please note, this vehicle has been withdrawn.
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