1968 McLaren M6B CanAm Sports-Racing Spider

In 1968, Ford Motor Company decided to enter the Canadian-American Sport Car racing series called the Can-Am. They specifically built a few all-aluminum 427 cubic-inch motors to be installed in a McLaren M6-8 which Shelby purchased from Trojan Motor Cars, who built all the Can-Am McLarens. This car, chassis number 50-12 was one of two cars Shelby campaigned and was driven by the late Peter Revson. At the end of the 1968 Can-Am season, many teams were invited to race in the Mt. Fuji 200 World Challenge held on November 23, 1968, at Mt. Fuji, Japan. This car won the race with Revson driving.

In 2000, the car was purchased by Joseph DiLoreto who, along with the expert craftsmanship of Bob Habermehl finally restored the McLaren with the proper all-aluminum Ford 427 engine. As far as we know, this is the only big block Ford Can-Am car actually campaigned in vintage racing. The car took over two years to restore to its original condition.

The Trojan-built McLaren chassis was powered by specially built aluminum block Ford V8 engines, supplied by the Ford Motor Company and further modified by Carroll Shelby. This particular example is one of two the Ford and Shelby campaigned for the 1968 season and driven by Peter Revson. It raced at Road America, Bridgehampton, Edmonton, Laguna Seca, and Riverside in the 1968 season. At the final race of the season, the Mt. Fuji 200 World Challenge race on November 23 at Mt. Fuji in Japan, Peter Revson drove it to the top step of the podium, the sole victory for the 1968 season.

After 1968, Ford withdrew from the Can-Am Series competition to focus on NASCAR.

Ford then sold 50-12 to Stan Szarkowicz who installed a Chevy engine and continued to race the car for several years. In 1972, the car caught fire and damaged various components. The new owner, John Collins, rebuilt the car to its original specifications. In 2000, it entered the care of its current owner.

This M6B is currently powered by a 427 cubic-inch Ford V8 offering 540 horsepower and fitted with a Bosch Mechanical Fuel Injection system. There is a four-speed Hewland transaxle and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2019