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1967 For 1967, a completely new car was conceived, the M6A. Designers Robin Herd and Gordon Coppuck opted for the aluminium monocoque design like the more succesful Lolas of the previous season . The body was given a more wedge-shaped nose to increase downforce. A rear aerofoil (mimicking the concept seen on the 1966 Chapparal) was tested on the mock-up in the wind tunnel but later replaced by a fixed spoiler across the tail. The team opted for a 6 litre iron-block V8 Chevrolet engine. The cars were ready two months before the season opener at Elkhart Lake and the M6A underwent extensive testing and fine-tuning at Goodwood, Snetterton and Silverstone. New Zealander Denny Hulme was signed to the team to pair Bruce throughout the series and the cars were now presented in the striking bright Papaya Orange livery that has come to symbolise the McLaren marque. The M6 won five of the 6 races with Bruce taking championship honours.
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1968 In 1968 McLaren stepped up it's extensive Formula 1 program but committed itself to a brand new challenger for the Can-Am series, the M8A. The new car was 25lbs lighter and featured a new aluminium 7 litre pushrod Chevrolet engine. McLaren fitted the engines with fuel injection which boosted it to 620 bhp, an extra 100 bhp on the previous year. A row of foot tall fuel injection trumpets appeared projecting from the rear deck. The engine was also integrated in to the chassis and mounted directly onto the rear monocoque bulkhead, acting as a stressed member. It was 4" wider and 4" lower than the M1 and accomodated an extra 30 gallons of fuel. The body was much smoother with the front wheel humps less pronounced.
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Denny Hulme's M8A at Elkhart Lake in 1968. (Picture courtesy of the Bruce McLaren Trust) |
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Despite less time available for testing, the M8As dominated the opening 1968 round, both cars starting the race from the front row and heading the field home for a 1-2 victory. They continued to dominate, winning every race in the series with Hulme champion ahead of second placed McLaren.
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