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Eighteen-year-old, but close-to-new, McLaren for sale

4 May, 2016

If you’re like any normal car enthusiast in your 20s or 30s, growing up, you probably idolized the McLaren F1 on video games, such as Gran Turismo. With a single centre seat, New Zealand heritage, and more horsepower than a Pikes Peak Escudo with a stage-four turbo kit, it was one to own. Now, you can buy your very own 1998 example. 

Out of the realms of the affordable, I never thought I would see the day where a vehicle such as this would come up for grabs. Before the internet, I was so separated from such a vehicle, that the only version I could get my hands on involved a plugged in controller, a bag of chips, and an entire weekend. 

Now, though, with the internet connecting every edge of the globe to one monitor, you start to see and hear things that were once only reserved for those in the know. A McLaren F1, in concours condition certainly doesn’t get missed by my watchful eye, and it appears McLaren Special Operations’ Heritage Division is selling one. The most insane part? The mileage. 

This isn’t your flogged out, been-around-the-block example. No, this example is in as-new condition with only 2800 miles on the clock. McLaren has made it clear that the vehicle will be sold as-new, too. What this means for prospective buyers, is that you will receive your 18-year-old McLaren with all the extras as it was released from the factory. 

Unfortunately, McLaren hasn’t listed a price for the McLaren yet, but, if you have to ask, you probably can’t afford it — much like myself. Back to playing video games it is! 

Images: McLaren

Taipan – surpassing interest

“It’s merely a passing interest,” insists Selby — despite owning three variants of the classic VW Beetle, including an unusual VW van that was sold as a body kit for a Subaru. In his defence he points to a 1961 Ford Thunderbird, a car that he converted to right-hand drive. However, on the VW side of the ledger, since he opened Allison Autos in Whanganui 27 years ago, Selby has built 15 VW-powered Formula First cars, followed by a beach buggy, restored a derelict Karmann Ghia, and hot-rodded a common or garden Beetle into something that has to be seen to be believed. As speed is not something generally associated with classic VWs, though, Selby is still waiting for this particular modification to catch on amongst the hot rod faithful.

Travelling companion

It’s easy to see why the Morris Minor Traveller was one of the best-loved variants of the Morris Minor. Introduced in 1953, it was equipped with the same independent torsion bar front suspension, drum brakes, and rack and pinion steering as its saloon sibling but, with their foldable rear seat increasing versatility, many Travellers were used as trade vehicles, says Derek Goddard. Derek and Gail Goddard, the owners of this superbly restored example, have run Morris Minors since before they were married in 1974.
“Our honeymoon vehicle was a blue Morris Minor van — it was a rust bucket,” says Derek.