McLaren M7A

The McLaren M7 was a Formula 1 racing car built by Formula 1 team McLaren.

The McLaren M7A, and the models M7B, M7C and M7D were the first single-seater racing cars of the remarkable then young racing team. The design of the vehicle was from Robin Herd, the execution took over his successor Gordon Coppuck. The monocoque was riveted and glued aluminum. The suspension had the front lower wishbones and wishbone and rear double wishbones with pushrods. The spring legs were outside. When the V8 engine Agreggat Cosworth was used and the DG -300 transmission came from Hewland.

The race car was unveiled in the spring of 1968 and made ​​his debut at the BRDC International Trophy at Silverstone. At the wheel was the new factory rider Denis Hulme who won the 1967 Formula 1 World Championship and was changed at the end of Brabham to McLaren. The first race ended immediately with a victory. Even when the World Cup also not counting the Race of Champions at Brands Hatch, it was a victory for the M7A. This time Bruce McLaren team boss was behind the wheel.

In the World Cup, there were three wins this season. Bruce McLaren won in Belgium and Hulme himself took the race in Italy and Canada, and had until the last race even the chance to be world champion again. But the title went to Graham Hill in the Lotus 49 The team finished second in the constructors' championship.

In 1969, the car was redesigned in detail and brought to the starting line as M7B. The M7A were henceforth used in Formula 5000. The M7B received external fuel tanks and a rear wing. But on the great successes of the previous year, the team could not connect. In the end it was enough but for fourth overall in the Constructors' title. 1970 McLaren was again with the M7 fourth in the championship.

A M7B 1969 sold to Colin Crabbe Racing and driven by all-round racing driver Vic Elford. In a serious accident at the Grand Prix of Germany, the vehicle was lost. The M7C was the emergency vehicle by Bruce McLaren in 1969 and was later sold to John Surtees a year later gave the car to Joakim Bonnier. The M7D had an Alfa Romeo engine and was driven by Andrea de Adamich.

  • Formula 1 racing cars of the 1968 season
  • Formula 1 racing cars of the 1969 season
  • Formula 1 racing cars of the 1970 season
  • McLaren
  • Historic Racing Car
  • Formula 5000 race car
Aluminium Silverstone Circuit 1968 Formula One season 1969 Formula One season 1970 Formula One season
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