McLaren M2B

The McLaren M2 was a Formula 1 racing car, built and used by the Formula 1 team McLaren.

The McLaren M2 was in its original form a test car and also the first McLaren single-seater. Robin Herd designed the vehicle in 1965 for the U.S. tire company Firestone, which thus drove tire tests. The car had a monocoque Malitte ( Malitte was a material that was created by the so-called sandwich technique of aluminum / wood / aluminum). It was powered by a Traco - Oldsmobile V8 engine with 3.5 liter displacement.

From the M2 M2B was derived in 1966, the first Formula 1 racing car of McLaren, who was also in the World Cup for use. The monocoque, again Malitte, was extremely light, yet stable and stiff. The suspension was conventional and had the front inner struts. Initially there was a Ford V8 engine with double overhead camshaft used. These engines were run in the 1960s, especially in the 500 miles of Indianapolis. Although the machine offered about 300 horsepower, but had a very narrow rpm range. Therefore, it was decided at McLaren middle of the season for a replacement unit. The Serenissima V8 had less power, but was more compact and easier to drive.

Bruce McLaren took the MB2- Serenissima Grand Prix of Great Britain in 1966 the first World Championship point for the team. When the U.S. Grand Prix, there was a fifth, this time again with the Ford engine. McLaren built two MB2, which in 1967 replaced by the M4.