Tag: Hagerty

MODEL OF THE MONTH – 1974 McLaren M16 Indycar

William Taylor

Auto-Archives recently received the first group of models from the Steven Williams collection that will form part of a significant donation to the archive.

Steven Williams has been building and collecting model cars and airplanes for many years now and his collection is one of the most impressive we have come across in quite a while. We are honored that over the next year Steven will be donating most of his collection to Auto-Archives and entrusting us with a group of models that really does tell ‘The History of the Automobile’ in all its forms. There are some truly wonderful models in his collection and, after discussion on just where to begin, Steven made the decision to start with some of his Indy 500 models.

The first batch of 25 models that are now on display at the Hagerty offices in Golden, CO., included this highly distinctive Carousel 1:18 scale model of the Carling Black Label #73 McLaren M16C/D driven by David Hobbs in the 1974 Indy 500. Hobbs started the race in ninth position and although he never led a lap, ran consistently in the top ten and held on to finish fifth, his best result in his four Indy 500 starts.

Steven’s Indy models that include the winner of the very first ‘500’, the Marmon Wasp driven by Ray Harroun in 1911, are on display on the Indy themed 3rd floor offices of Hagerty in Golden.

Car of the Month — 1967 McLaren-Elva M1C

William Taylor

The red M1C is owned by Denver McLaren afficianado Harry Mathews. It was the first car in his McLaren collection which at one time numbered 18 cars, and was originally owned and run by Jerry Hansen of Minneapolis. He entered it in the 1967 Can-Am series and it made its debut in the first race of the season at Road America in Wisconsin. That race also marked the first outing for Team McLaren’s two new M6A car. This would be the first episode of what became known as the “Bruce and Denny Show”, where either Bruce McLaren or Denny Hulme  would win every race of the championship. A field of 32 cars started the race at Road America, no fewer than 17 of them various different models of McLaren; M1C drivers that year included Skip Scott, Peter Revson, Chuck Parsons and Bob Bondurant.

For 1968 it was a case of more of the same for McLaren and the M1C, Canadian store magnate George Eaton in a car which was certainly becoming outdated, drove to an impressive third place at Laguna Seca, helped in no small part by torrential downpours, to give the M1C its highest placing in a Can-Am championship race. Incredibly, the M1C was still going strong in 1969, and a trio of customer cars raced confidently and competitively throughout the season. The spaceframe chassis era might finally have ended, superceeded by the aluminium monocoque, but at McLaren it certainly enjoyed a long run.

 

Car of the Month — 1988.5 Lamborghini Countach LP5000 QV

William Taylor

The ‘Nero’ black Countach LP5000QV (QV: fourvales per-cylinder) on display here is a late 1988 model year car actually designated as a 1988.5 car. It is one of only 52 produced for the US market and was fitted with the highly desirable ‘optional’ rear wing ($7000), the distinctive Gold Campagnolo “Bravo” wheel package and the much needed A/C Climate Control system. These later models QVs (and the final ‘Anniversary’ models are easily identified by the ‘straked’ side skirts below the doors. Equipped with the fuel-injected, high compression version of the Lamborghini V12 motor that lifted the power output to 455bhp, this highly recognizable and iconic car can sprint to
60mph in 5.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 182mph. The completely original, 5-speed manual transmission matching numbers car was in the hands of its first owner for 27 years and has still only covered a fraction under 10,000 miles, making it probably one of the most original, low-mileage examples of the Countach QV in existence.