McLaren Cars by Type #

M3 - 1965-66
The 1965 sports car experiences with the big V-8's, with lightweight chassis led to the design and production of the low cost and reliable space frame single seater for the 1966 Formula Libre, hillclimb/sprintcar. It was competitive and only a handful were built.
The M3 was also known as the "whoosh bonk" car and was the MGM camera car for the film Grand Prix.

Chassis: Large diameter tubular spaceframe with steel bulkheads and an aluminium dash panel doubling as a bulkhead in the cockpit area. Chassis tubes carried coolant and an aluminium undertray was bonded and riveted in place to add strength
Suspension: Independent by unequal length wide based wishbones, anti-roll bar and adjustable coil spring/shock units in the front. Trailing radius arms with single top links, reversed lower wishbones, anti roll bar and adjustable coil spring/shock units at the rear. Supplied with optional 15 inch diameter rear wheels.
Brakes: Girling 107/16th inch disc all round with AR calipers. Special � inch thick discs for GP versions.
Body: Polyester resin panelling to customers preference.
Engine: To customer preference although engine bay was capable of accepting Oldsmobile, Ford-Cobra, Ford-Indianapolis V-8s or 3 Litres Repco V-8, Maserati V-12 and 2.5 or 2.7 litre Coventry Climax 4 cylinder F1 units. Rear bulkhead designed to accept Hewland LG or ZF DS25 transaxles.
Dimensions: Wheelbase 96 inches (required for possible Indy use), front track 51 inches, rear track 52 inches, overall length 142 inches, height to top of windscreen 29 inches, weight (with 5 litre Oldsmobile) 1100 lbs.