1979 McLaren M28 Formula One Car

The 1979 McLaren M28 was designed by Gordon Coppuck to replace the M26 which was showing signs of old age. The design incorporated the new concept of "ground effect' for the first time. The chassis was also innovative with an aluminium honeycomb monocoque. It was powered by a Cosworth DFV 3.0 litre V8 mated to a six speed Hewland gearbox. McLaren signed up John Watson as lead driver, backed up by the Frenchman Patrick Tambay and they retained their lucrative sponsorship deal with Marlboro. The season started well with Watson coming 3rd in The Argentinian GP in the spare car, after a collision with Scheckter's Ferrari at the start, and it looked as if McLaren had a machine that could challenge the top teams like Ferrari, Lotus, and Tyrell. But apart from an encouraging 4th at Monaco the podium eluded the McLaren for the rest of the season with a series of retirements and modest results. But they continued to develop the M28 as the 1979 season went on until it was superseded by the M29 after The British GP. Chassis #2 was then "retired' and it became a show car for Marlboro. The car was still owned by McLaren Racing up until 2009 when the current owner purchased car directly from Ron Dennis. In 2009 a comprehensive restoration project was undertaken to prepare the car for Historic Grand Prix racing. The work was performed by McLaren's former chief mechanic, Gary Anderson. There is a full, highly detailed, photographic record of the restoration work and every item was either renewed or replaced. The car was then looked after by United Autosports during its participation in Historic Grand Prix racing in the US. The engine was rebuilt by VDS Racing Engines in Indianapolis in 2010. It is estimated that around $300,000 has been spent bringing this car up to the highest possible level of "race ready' preparation. Unusually this car has not been messed about with or ever suffered any accident damage. We are told that the chassis has just 537 miles on the clock since the rebuild and the engine has a mere 369 miles under its belt. It comes with a reasonable spares package that includes two sets of wheels mounted with new Avon slicks.

Three McLaren M28 chassis' were built for the 1979 season and #2 is by far the most desirable. It has spent 30 years in the care of the McLaren Race Team and comes with relatively low hours on the engine and chassis plus a costly restoration of the highest possible quality. This is rare opportunity to acquire a simply stunning historic McLaren Formula One racing car that is ready to go out and beat the best in the field.

N.B. This car is entered in to the Historic Formula One race supporting this year's 2012 Formula One Grand-Prix and can thus be seen at Silverstone on Sunday 8th July.