Tag Archives: McLaren F1

McLaren F1 with BMW engine and Audi gearbox

In honor of the five McLaren F1 GTRs that finished the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1995, McLaren produced five examples of the powerful F1 LM model and one prototype. It is an extremely rare and expensive car that most cannot afford, but can make a replica.

McLaren never released blueprints and diagrams of the F1 LM model, but that didn’t stop a big McLaren fan, Danie Brough, from making a replica of this car. It took him 23 years to realize his dream.

Proportions taken from photos and smaller models were used in the production. The car is painted in Papaya orange, and is made of aluminum, carbon fiber and plexiglass, while the chassis is a combination of aluminum and carbon fiber.

“Everything you see on the car, I made myself. The exception is BMW’s twin-turbo V12 engine paired with Audi’s 6-speed manual transmission. The project required years of research, photo viewing and sizing,” Brough said.

The McLaren F1 replica is powered by a 6.0 liter V12 engine with 650 hp (485 kW), and weighs 1,180 kg which is 40 kg more than the original.

Every goal is achievable, if you strongly believe in it. The proof is this gentleman from South Africa, Danie Brough.

Source: Cars.co.za via YouTube

Gordon Murray T.33 from the perspective of Frank Stephenson

GM Automotive recently introduced the T.33, which is intended for everyday use unlike its predecessor T.50. Designer Gordon Murray said the car’s design was timeless. But what do other designers think of this car, like designer Frank Stephenson?

At first, Stephenson thought that the design of the car, based on those from the 60’s, had already been seen, so he did not give it importance. But with better observation, that has changed. He noticed that the car did not have a front splitter, so he concluded that the incoming air goes under the car creating an extra downforce. The front end reminded him of a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, primarily top fenders. The headlights look like those on the Tommy Kaira, which he didn’t like because he expected more aggressiveness in the front design overall.

Looking at it from the side, he liked the door design without handles. When it comes to luggage space, Stephenson assumes Murray used the same trick as with the McLaren F1 where he placed the packing space between the door and the rear wheel. On the roof, there is an intake to suck more air into the engine, which is typical of Murray.

On the back, he liked the tail lights design, which give an almost 3D hologram effect to the circular shape.

In the end, he concluded that there is nothing radical in terms of first impressions, but as you get into it, there are a lot of smart solutions in design and engineering.

Source: Frank Stephenson via YouTube