McLaren Cars Listed by Model

M15A – 1970
1970 was a year that McLaren took Indianapolis by storm. Its first attempt at the Brickyard saw it take the prestigious designers award. The team built three cars based closely on the simple and yet effective Can-am designs. The car was powered by a turbo charged Offenhauser 4 cylinder. Sadly Denny was burnt and Amon found that he could not build up to the speeds demanded. Peter Revson and Carl Williams took over the remaining two cars.
Chassis: Broad aluminium-alloy panelled monocoque formed over steel and aluminium bulkheads, with the engine acting as 2 semi-stressed member in the rear bay.
Suspension: Single top link with radius arm, lower wishbone anti-roll bar and outboard coil spring/shock units with adjust, able ride height in front. Single top link, reversed lower wish, bone, twin radius arms, anti-roll bar and outboard coil spring, shock units at rear. McLaren cast magnesium wheels with knock-off hub nuts, 15 x 10 front and 15 x 14 rear.
Brakes: Lockheed ventilated discs, 11.97-inch diameter.
Body: Formed by monocoque sides with detachable fibreglass upper panelling forming the nose cone and cockpit surround engine cover and chassis-mounted aerofoil. Side fuel sponson carrying 67 U.S. gallons.
Engine: 2.6-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged Offenhauser with Hewland LG500 4-speed transaxle, modified with provision for external starting
Dimensions: Wheelbase 98.69 inches, front track 57.75 inches, rear track 58.06 inches, width at cockpit 45 inches overall length 156 inches, weight 1380 pounds distributed 31 percent front/70 percent rear.

M16A – 1971

This is the wedge shaped Indianapolis car for 1971 using the turbo charged Offenhauser engine and a Hewland LG500 4 speed transaxle. The Chssis is a fill aluminium monocoque with Goodyear 75 gallon fuel bags and fibreglass body panels. Wheelbase is 101 inches, with front and rear track 58 inches. Wheels are cast magnesium of 15 inch diameter front and rear with 10 inch front rims and 14 inch rear rims. Front suspension is by rocker arm and lower wishbone, and rear suspension is by reversed lower wishbone with a top link and radius roads. The M16 also uses Koni shock absorbers, Lockhead brakes, McLaren rack and pinion steering, Hewland driveshafts, Borg & Beck clutch with a Marston Excelsior radiator. Overall length 155 inches, width at cockpit 38 inches, weight 1380 pounds distributed 30 percent front/70 percent rear.

Chassis:

Suspension:

Brakes:

Body:

Engine:

Dimensions:

M16B – 1972
1972 Indianapolis/USAC cars developed from the M16A. These cars were built at Colnbrook in the UK and campaigned by the McLaren team and the Penske team.
Chassis:
Suspension:
Brakes:
Body:
Engine:
Dimensions:

M16C- 1973
1973 Indianapolis/USAC
Chassis:
Suspension:
Brakes:
Body:
Engine:
Dimensions:

M16C/D – 1974
1974 was McLarens year at Indianapolis with team driver Johnny Rutherford winning at the brickyard.
Chassis:
Suspension:
Brakes:
Body:
Engine:
Dimensions:

M16E – 1975/6
1975/1976 John Barnard re-worked Indianapolis/USAC
Chassis:
Suspension:
Brakes:
Body:
Engine:
Dimensions:

Should you know the photographers name for any photo shown, please let us know, that we can give correct credit for the photographer.