McLaren Cars by Type #

M8A - 1968 The 1968 Can-Am works cars were further developments of the very successful M6A design and were again kept as simple as possible, employing single curvature panelling and square tube sections in the monocoque, which now used the engine as a partially stressed structural member. Three cars were built, dominating the series with Denny winning the championship. Chassis: Aluminium alloy and magnesium panelling monocoque based on steel bulkheads and using the Chevrolet engine as a partially stressed structural member stiffening the rear bay. Suspension: Single top link with radius arm, lower wishbone, anti-roll bar and coil spring/shock units in front. Twin radius arms with single top link, reversed lower wishbone and coil spring units at rear. McLaren cast magnesium wheels 15 x 10 front and 15 x 15 rear. Brakes: Lockheed discs all around, 12 inch diameter with 17/3P calipers and dual aerodynamic surfaces. Body: Reinforced polyester resin panelling. Engine: Chevrolet V-8 with 4 speed Hewland transaxle. Dimensions: Wheelbase 94 inches, front track 57.6 inches, rear track 56 inches.	Photo by Don Markle
	Photo by Don Markle

M8B - 1969
Three new and further developed Group 7 works cars were built for the 1969 Can-Am series, using at least one of the original M8A monocoque. They differed form the earlier cars in body design, using wings that stood high above the tail on suspension mounted struts and had new 7 litre engines built by George Bolthoff, an ex Traco engineer. There were minor detail differences between the M8B's and the M8A's. The 1969 cars used larger wheels 15 x 11 front and 15 x 16 rear. They were unbeaten in the 1969 season and took Bruce to his second championship.

M8C - 1970
Trojan produced this production version of the all conquering M-8 series. Modifications were made to accommodate engine choices as stipulated by the customer. Trojan manufactured 15 M8Cs'.

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M8D - 1970
Three new cars were built for the 1970 Can-Am Championship and were improvements of the previous model. This model incorporated airfoils sections mounted on fins rising form the rear fenders. These cars earned the nick name of "Batmobile", The M8D ran engines built by Bolthoff and they again were successful in winning the championship. Hulme won the championship after Bruce was killed testing the original M8D at Goodwood.

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M8E - 1971
Trojan produced this model as the 1971 production car based on the prototype tested by Hulme. It has the basic shape of the M8B with a lower wing rather than the fins of the M8D, the track is narrower and the bodyshell is smaller.

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Photo from the family collection

M8F - 1971
The 1971 Can-Am M8F car was designed by G. Coppuck and included a number of innovations. It ran with an 8 litre Chevrolet built by McLaren Engines using the new Reynolds all alloy cylinder block. Horsepower was rated in excess of 740hp.

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