1966 McLaren M1B news, pictures, and information
An excellent example of the first of the long line of Can-Am racers upon which the reputation of McLaren was built. this is the sole remaining team car from the first year of the Can-Am series (1966). The other cars were destroyed as part of the new construction of the following year's M6A Can-Am car.
Chris Amon drove this car in 1966 for the McLaren factory in its three races in England and two in Canada, during the six 1966 Can-Am races It was driven by Mike Spence in the 1967 Can-Am races having been sold by McLaren to the Canadian team Ecurie-Soucy.
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The 1966 McLaren Elva M1B with chassis number 30/12 is one of just 28 constructed. It was raced by Peter Revson for Bill Kay and sold to Skip Barber in 1967. It is fitted with a Chevrolet V8 engine that displaces 358 cubic-inches and mated to a Hewland LG 500 transmission.
Work, development and fine-tuning continued on the M1A, resulting in the M1B of 1965 and 1966. Michael Turner, Tyler Alexander, and Robin Herd were among the individuals responsible for many of the new changes. Improvements and changes included changes to the tail and to the nose section. Robin Herd worked on stiffening the chassis, resulting in a chassis that was more rigid yet still the same weight.
The inaugural Group 7 racing debut for the M1B was at the St. Jovite race. Sadly, the car retired prematurely due to problems with the Oldsmobile engine. When the car began competing in CanAm competition, it soon became apparent that the 5-liter Traco-Oldsmobile engine was unable to compete with the 6-liter Chevrolet powerplants. After a few races, Bruce McLaren switched the lightweight aluminum engine for the heavier, yet more powerful, 5.4-liter Chevrolet units. The result was an increase in weight by about 200 lbs but an increase in horsepower by 100.
Bruce would finish the season in second place behind Jim Surtees.
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