McLaren M1b 1965-1966
This Group 7 sports racing car was the 1965 development of the original M1A design.
The design of the M1B was evolved the by artist Michael Turner, working with Tyler Alexander and Robin Herd. It had a blunter noise and sharper cut off at the tail. Design work by Robin Herd saw the M1B gaining a 20% stiffer chassis than the M1A, and the M1B was no heavier. The first race was at St Jovite and resulted in an ignominious retirement in practice when the Oldsmobile blew up wrecking the transmission as well. Before Mosport, a new 4.5 litre had arrived from Traco and with this installed Bruce finished second to Jim Hall’s Chaparral.
For the first Can-Am series in 1966 it became obvious to team McLaren early in the season that their 5-litre Traco-Oldsmobile were going to be no match for the 6-litre Chevrolet. After the opening races in Canada, Bruce switched from the aluminium engine to the cast iron 5.4-litre Chevrolet which weighed 200lbs more, but gave an extra 100 horsepower.
The works car driven by McLaren and Amon competed in the 1966 Can-Am series powered by the 6-litre Chevrolet V-8 with Hilborn injection. Both Bruce and Chris were pace setters, but they were not winners, with Bruce finishing second in the series to Jim Surtees.
Trojan manufactured twenty-eight cars that were sold in the US as McLaren Elva Mark 2's.
Chassis: Large diameter round and square tubular frame with light alloy sheet riveted and bonded to it, forming undertray and bulkheads.
Suspension: Independent by unequal length wide-based wishbones, with anti-dive characteristics, anti-roll bar and adjustable coil spring/shock units in the front. Trailing arms with lower wishbones, single top links, anti-roll bar and adjustable coil spring/shock units at the rear. McLaren-Elva cast magnesium wheels, 15 x 8½ front, 15 x 11½ rear (5.50 and 6.50 - 15 tyres)
Brakes: Dual circuit Girling discs all around. 12½ inch diameter front and 11½ inch diameter rear.
Body: Four-section polyester resin with integral brake and radiator ducting and side sections housing twin 25-gallon rubber fuel cells
Engine: Traco Oldsmobile 4.5 litre V8 standard with single plate Scheifer clutch and 4-speed Hewland LG gearbox. Hypoid ring and pinion with limited slip differential standard in transmission. Chevrolet and Ford engines and ZF transmission optional equipment
Dimensions: Wheelbase 91 inches, front track 51 inches, rear track 51 inches, overall length 146 inches, width 64 inches, height to top of windscreen 31 inches, weight less fuel 1300 pounds distributed 40 percent front / 60 percent rear.