Aerial view of a 1969, McLaren M7C-1, part of a special tribute to Bruce McLaren at the 2020 London Classic Car Show
The McLaren M7A and its M7B, M7C and M7D variants were Formula One racing cars, built by McLaren and used in the world championship between 1968 and 1971. After two relatively unsuccessful years of Formula One competition, the M7A was used to score McLaren's first win at the 1968 Belgian Grand Prix. Designed by Robin Herd and Gordon Coppuck, the M7A was the first McLaren to be powered by the Cosworth DFV engine, which went on to be used by the team until 1983. The M7B had outboard fuel tanks and the M7C a modified chassis, whilst the M7D was powered by an Alfa-Romeo engine. The M7A made its Grand Prix debut at the second race of the 1968 world championship. After its victory in Belgium, it took another two wins that year, helping to place McLaren second in the Constructors' Championship. Bruce McLaren's unique M7C debuted at the International Trophy at Silverstone in March of 1969. Little over a month later Bruce placed it second at Montjuich in Spain, which would be the car's best finish. In 1970 John Surtees campaigned the car in the opening Grands Prix, while he awaited the completion of his first car. Impressively Carlos Reutemann managed to finish third in this car at the 1971 Argentinian Grand Prix. Jo Bonnier and Helmut Marko also campaigned the car before it was retired at the end of the year. Eventually the car was bought back by McLaren and restored to its 1969 Spanish Grand Prix configuration complete with the high-mounted wing. It is seen here at the McLaren Technology Centre, where it is proudly displayed alongside several other historically significant McLarens.
Size: 5016px × 3565px
Location: Olympia Exhibition Centre, West Kensington, London, W14 United Kingdom
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -, -championship, 1969, 2020, 2993cc, 420bhp, aerial, aspirated, bruce, car, classic, coppuck, cosworth, dfv, f1, ford, front, gordon, high, international, london, longitudinally, m7c-1, mclaren, mid-engine, mounted, naturally, orange, papaya, race, show, silverstone., thursday, tribute, trophy, v8, view, wing, wings
