McLaren GTR F1 (1995): a truly great car.
1994 was supposed to be Derek Bell’s ‘swansong’ farewell from the Le Mans 24 hours, but in 1995 he could not resist the temptation to drive with his son Justin and 1988 Le Mans winner Andy Wallace.
Having led half of the race the trio still claimed 3rd overall in the stunning new McLaren GTR F1. One of the 5 original cars built by the factory in 1995, it was bought back off Al Fayed, the then Harrods magnate, by former McLaren Director David Clark to convert back to road specification.
The McLaren GTR F1 (although not the one pictured here at the 2011 Chelsea Autolegends) is most famous for its overall victory at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans where it beat faster purpose-built prototypes. The McLaren also achieved the highest practice top speed of the year, reaching 236mph (381 km/h) on the Mulsanne Straight. You know if you had the money you would want one, wouldn’t we all.
