Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
Bought by Tom Jones in the autumn of 1972 from Fred Opert. Raced in 1973 and 1974 at Mid-Ohio, Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta, Mosport, Road America, and Pocono with a best finish of 9th at Mid-Ohio in 1974. Jones then sold the car to Vic Todia who raced it in SCCA and 'Pro' events in 1976, 1977 and 1978. Restored in 1989, the car was sold to McLaren collector Harry Mathews in November of 1990. Purchased by Kiwi Tony Roberts in 2007 to race in the 2007/08 F5000 Tasman Revival series. In 2009, Roberts sold it to Tim Rush who has been racing it in the Tasman Revival series since 2010.
The M22 was largely an uprated M10B, with mainly suspension and steering geometry revisions, as well as a new nose. Development in F5000 had moved very fast and whilst the M22 McLaren looked absolutely gorgeous with its M19 F1 style air box and nose cone derived from Jody Scheckter's Formula Two McLaren. It was behind the times before it turned a wheel. Lolas were getting lower and lighter and had hip-mounted radiators both sides of the driver, giving better aerodynamics, better cooling and better weight distribution.
The M22 prototype was raced by David Hobbs in the Tasman series. A prototype M18/22 had been raced with some success in the 1972 Tasman Series by the excellent British driver, David Hobbs. Hobbs scored a 3rd at Pukekohe, 4th at Surfers Paradise, 3rd in the Australian Grand Prix at Sandown and won the Adelaide International.
The M22 was the last Trojan-built car to carry the McLaren name, marking the end of a long and mainly successful relationship, but one which soured after Bruce was no longer around to smooth over the ripples. The M18 and M22 were built because Trojan needed a cost-effective product, rather than one single-mindedly developed to be a great racing car. McLaren was effectively a consultant rather than leading the design and development.
The three M22 F5000s were the end of the line for McLaren customer cars and in fact this M22-3-72 has the distinction of being the very last McLaren customer car to be built.
Unlike most purpose-built single-seaters the M22 is absolutely huge inside, built to take the largest of drivers without modification. It is very easy to get into, less easy to get out because you cannot load up the Perspex wrap-around screen with your body weight.
This car was built for American Tom Jones to race in the SCCA series. The M22 was destined to have little success in the hands of Tom C Jones from Texas. Tom raced at most of the big F5000 races in 1973 usually finishing midfield. The car was then sold to Vic Topia who raced in L&M series, SCCA and regional events through to 1978. In fact, when Vic Topia raced the M22-3-72 at Road America in 1976, it was the only McLaren in the large Field of F5000 cars.
The M22 prototype was raced by David Hobbs in the Tasman series. A prototype M18/22 had been raced with some success in the 1972 Tasman Series by the excellent British driver, David Hobbs. Hobbs scored a 3rd at Pukekohe, 4th at Surfers Paradise, 3rd in the Australian Grand Prix at Sandown and won the Adelaide International.
The M22 was the last Trojan-built car to carry the McLaren name, marking the end of a long and mainly successful relationship, but one which soured after Bruce was no longer around to smooth over the ripples. The M18 and M22 were built because Trojan needed a cost-effective product, rather than one single-mindedly developed to be a great racing car. McLaren was effectively a consultant rather than leading the design and development.
The three M22 F5000s were the end of the line for McLaren customer cars and in fact this M22-3-72 has the distinction of being the very last McLaren customer car to be built.
Unlike most purpose-built single-seaters the M22 is absolutely huge inside, built to take the largest of drivers without modification. It is very easy to get into, less easy to get out because you cannot load up the Perspex wrap-around screen with your body weight.
This car was built for American Tom Jones to race in the SCCA series. The M22 was destined to have little success in the hands of Tom C Jones from Texas. Tom raced at most of the big F5000 races in 1973 usually finishing midfield. The car was then sold to Vic Topia who raced in L&M series, SCCA and regional events through to 1978. In fact, when Vic Topia raced the M22-3-72 at Road America in 1976, it was the only McLaren in the large Field of F5000 cars.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
Recent Sales of the McLaren M22
(Data based on Model Year 1972 sales)
McLaren M22s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1972 McLaren M22's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
|---|
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the range.
1972 McLaren M22
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
