McLaren M1A

{{Short description|Sports car}}

{{Infobox racing car

| Production = 1963-1968

| Image = McLarenM1B Spa 2010.JPG

| Car_name = McLaren M1A{{cite web | url=https://k500.com/the-guide-car/mclaren-m1a | title=K500 Classic Cars Index - A Guide to Classic Cars }}
McLaren M1B{{cite web | url=https://www.conceptcarz.com/s11342/mclaren-m1b.aspx | title=1966 McLaren M1B technical and mechanical specifications }}
McLaren M1C{{cite web | url=https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9085/mclaren-m1c.aspx#:~:text=The%20car%20is%20powered%20by,and%20was%20dynoed%20at%20520 | title=1967 McLaren M1C }}

| Category = Group 7

| Constructor = McLaren

| Chassis = Steel-reinforced tubular space frame covered in fiberglass panels

| Wheelbase = {{convert|89-91|in|mm||abbr=on}}

| Track = Front: {{convert|51-52|in|mm||abbr=on}}
Rear: {{convert|51-52|in|mm||abbr=on}}

| Length = {{cvt|145-164|in|mm|abbr=on}}

| Width = {{cvt|59-64|in|mm|abbr=on}}

| Height = {{cvt|30-35|in|mm|abbr=on}}

| Engine name = Mid-engine, longitudinally mounted, {{convert|3.5-6.2|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}}, Oldsmobile
Chevrolet small-block
Chevrolet big-block
Ford FE, 90° V8, NA

| Power = {{cvt|310-550|hp|kW}}

| Type = Hewland L.G. 500 4-speed or L.G. 600 5-speed manual

| Differential =

| Fuel =

| Tyres =

| Weight = {{convert|1215-1850|lb|kg||abbr=on}}

}}

File:McLaren M1A at Silverstone.jpg

File:McLaren M1B Mallory Park.JPG

The McLaren M1A, and its derivatives, the McLaren M1B{{cite web | url=https://silodrome.com/mclaren-m1b-can-am/ | title=McLaren M1B Can-Am | date=19 December 2015 }} and the McLaren M1C, are a series of mid-engined Group 7 sports prototype race cars built by McLaren, between 1963 and 1968.{{Cite web|url=https://bruce-mclaren.com/olds-sports-cars/|title=McLaren Olds Sports Cars – Bruce McLaren|access-date=2022-06-17|archive-date=2022-05-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528155618/https://bruce-mclaren.com/olds-sports-cars/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9085/mclaren-m1c.aspx|title=1967 McLaren M1C|access-date=17 June 2022|archive-date=11 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811061351/https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9085/mclaren-m1c.aspx|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/308/McLaren-M1C-Chevrolet.html |title=1967 McLaren M1C Chevrolet - Images, Specifications and Information |access-date=2022-06-17 |archive-date=2021-06-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623053510/https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/308/McLaren-M1C-Chevrolet.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.supercars.net/blog/1967-mclaren-m1c/#:~:text=The%20M1C%20was%20effectively%20the,bhp%20depending%20on%20engine%20internals.|title=1967 McLaren M1C|date=18 April 2016 |access-date=17 June 2022}}

The M1A was the team's first self-designed and developed sports car. Later versions, such as the 'M1B' and 'M1C', competed and raced in the North American Can-Am series, starting in 1966 season.{{Cite web|url=https://themotorhood.com/themotorhood/2008/9/22/articles-1965-mclaren-elva-mki-m1a-canam-mclaren-214|title=CanAm McLaren: 1965 McLaren-Elva MkI (M1A)|website=The Motorhood|access-date=2022-06-17|archive-date=2016-02-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206123841/http://www.themotorhood.com/themotorhood/2008/9/22/articles-1965-mclaren-elva-mki-m1a-canam-mclaren-214|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/4876/McLaren-M1B-Chevrolet.html|title=1965 - 1966 McLaren M1B Chevrolet - Images, Specifications and Information|website=Ultimatecarpage.com|access-date=2022-06-17|archive-date=2021-05-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512045959/https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/4876/McLaren-M1B-Chevrolet.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://tech-racingcars.wikidot.com/mclaren-m1b|title=McLaren M1B group 7 (1966) - Racing Cars|website=tech-racingcars.wikidot.com|access-date=2022-06-17|archive-date=2021-04-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414174857/http://tech-racingcars.wikidot.com/mclaren-m1b|url-status=live}} The car was raced in North America and Europe in 1963 and 1964 in various Group 7 and United States Road Racing Championship series events. 24 examples of the M1A and M1B were built, and 25 examples of the M1C were manufactured.{{Cite web|url=https://www.classic.com/m/mclaren/m1b/|title=McLaren M1B Market - CLASSIC.COM|website=www.classic.com|access-date=2022-06-17|archive-date=2021-04-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420032535/https://www.classic.com/m/mclaren/m1b/|url-status=live}}

The car was powered by a few different motors, including Chevrolet small-block engine, an all-aluminum Oldsmobile V8 engine, a Chevrolet big-block engine, and even a Ford FE engine.{{Cite web|url=https://mathewscollection.com/gallery/1966-mclaren-m1c/|title=1966 McLaren M1C - Mathews Collection|access-date=2022-06-17|archive-date=2022-06-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617210957/https://mathewscollection.com/gallery/1966-mclaren-m1c/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.historicautopro.com/1967-mclaren-elva|title=1967 McLaren Elva M1C|website=historicautopro|access-date=2022-06-17|archive-date=2021-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108065934/https://www.historicautopro.com/1967-mclaren-elva|url-status=live}} It was constructed out of a tubular space frame chassis, and, combined with its light weight of {{cvt|551|kg|lb}} gave it a great power-to-weight ratio.{{Cite web|url=https://www.goodwood.com/grr/event-coverage/goodwood-speedweek/2020/10/this-mclaren-m1a-is-a-551kg-v8-rocket-ship/|title=This McLaren M1A is a 551kg V8 rocket ship|website=www.goodwood.com|access-date=2022-06-17|archive-date=2021-06-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615104335/https://www.goodwood.com/grr/event-coverage/goodwood-speedweek/2020/10/this-mclaren-m1a-is-a-551kg-v8-rocket-ship/|url-status=live}} The {{cvt|4.5|L|cuin}} Oldsmobile V8 engine developed around {{cvt|310|hp|kW}},{{Cite web|url=https://www.supercars.net/blog/1964-mclaren-m1a/|title=1964 McLaren M1A ||date=April 18, 2016}} while the {{cvt|350|cuin|L}} Chevrolet small-block V8 engine was capable of developing over {{cvt|550|hp|kW}}, and {{cvt|538|lbft|Nm}} of torque.{{Cite web|url=http://tech-racingcars.wikidot.com/mclaren-m1a|title=McLaren M1A group 7 (1965) - Racing Cars|website=tech-racingcars.wikidot.com|access-date=2022-06-17|archive-date=2021-02-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226032452/http://tech-racingcars.wikidot.com/mclaren-m1a|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z17744/mclaren-elva-m1a.aspx|title=1965 McLaren Elva M1A|website=conceptcarz.com|access-date=2022-06-17|archive-date=2021-05-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517170122/https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z17744/mclaren-elva-m1a.aspx|url-status=live}} This drove the rear wheels through a Hewland L.G.500 four-speed manual transmission.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/306/McLaren-M1A-Oldsmobile.html|title=1964 - 1965 McLaren M1A Oldsmobile - Images, Specifications and Information|website=Ultimatecarpage.com|access-date=2022-06-17|archive-date=2021-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508112028/https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/306/McLaren-M1A-Oldsmobile.html|url-status=live}}