M7A - 1968-69

Robin Herd had a guiding hand with the design of the M7A, it was the team’s first Cosworth-Ford powered Formula 1 car. Three M7As were built to be driven by Bruce and Denny Hulme; the third was the team's spare. This was Robin Herd's first McLaren design and in the interests of accessibility, they had a bathtub-type monocoque which terminated behind the rear cockpit bulkhead, using the engine’s crankcase as a fully stressed rear chassis member.

Chassis: Monocoque with light aluminium alloy panelling over steel bulkheads, using the engine as a stressed section aft of the cockpit, carrying rear suspension loads through a yoke over the gearbox and plates bolted beneath it

Suspension: Single top link with radius arm, bottom wishbone, anti-roll bar and outboard coil spring/shock units in front. Single top links, reverse lower wishbones, twin radius arms and coil spring/shock units at rear. McLaren cast magnesium wheels, 15 x 10 front and 15 x 15 rear

Brakes: Lockheed 17/3P calipers with 11.66-inch diameter discs all around

Body: Detachable fibreglass nose with separate top panel and cockpit surround. Engine cover sometimes used with various wings and spoiler arrangements

Engine: Cosworth-Ford DFV V8 with 5-speed Hewland DG300 transaxle

Dimensions: Wheelbase 94 inches, front track 58 inches, rear track 57 inches, cockpit width 28 inches, weight 1140 pounds.

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