McLaren M23

[BritishV8]

Certainly one of the classic Formula One designs, the M23 was exceptional from its first appearance in 1973. With the M23, McLaren won the F1 Constructors Championship in 1974. Emerson Fittipaldi and James Hunt drove M23s to F1 Drivers Championships in 1974 and 1976.

How many McLaren M23s were built? The serial number sequence started at one and ran through fourteen, skipping number "13" for luck.

I can account for one of them! Denny Hulme retained chassis #1 until his death, after which it was sold by his wife to Phil Mauger of Christchurch, New Zealand. M23/1 is exceptionally well preserved, and has been on an inter-continental tour this past year to visit racetracks Denny Hulme originally raced it on! I personally saw it at Watkins Glen, and I've published about seventy close-up photos of it here: Phil Mauger's 1973 McLaren M23 Formula One Racecar (chassis M23/1)

McLaren M23/1 at Watkins Glen in September 2011:


According to Doug Nye's "History of the Grand Prix Car"...
Chassis #4 was wrecked and rebuilt as a show car.
Chassis #7 was wrecked (by Hailwood at the Nürburgring) and scrapped.
Chassis #8 was wrecked, rebuilt as a show car, and renumbered as "10".
Chassis #9 was wrecked and rebuilt as show car.
Chassis #10 is actually numbered "8-2" on its chassis plate.

Can you guys ID the provenance and ownership of the remaining M23s?

[Oran Park Forever]

Chassis M23/2 had an interesting history.

Used exclusively by Peter Revson at first, best result being his victory at the 1973 British Grand Prix. Jody Scheckter then had a steer in the final 2 GPs of '73, retiring from both races.

Dave Charlton then raced her in F1 'Trophy' races in '74 & '75, with many victories including the Rand Winter Trophy -Kyalami - 10 Aug 1974.

Then purchased by Australian F5000 racer John McCormack in '76. John fitted a 4.4 litre Leyland alloy V8, competing in the '76, '77, '78, '79 Australian Gold Star, Rothmans International Series & Australian Grands Prix. Numerous victories with the '77 Gold Star Championship being the highlight.

John then converted M23/2 to CanAm specs, fitted a 5 litre Repco V8 & took her to the U.S in '79. He ran 3 races (Mosport Park, Mid Ohio & Watkins Glen) with little success, best result being 12th at the Glen.

Returning to Australia & converting her back to F5000 specs, John was entered for the 1980 AGP, however suffered a serious road accident on route to the circuit. Thus ending his open wheel career.

M23/2s existance there after is a little hazy. It certainly never raced again in F5000, so whether it still exists or it's hardware was used to create an Aussie Sports Sedan (as was the trend here in the early 80s).....not entirely sure.


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[Art Tidesco]

M23/4 was running at this years Silverstrone Classic with Gregor Fisken at the wheel, in '73 Yardley colours with original pattern airbox of Peter Revson, who drove the car in the last three races of the 1973 season including to victory in Canada.

Fittipaldi and Hulme drove the car occasionally in Marlboro colours during early '74, Emersons third at the race of champions being the best result.

After Hailwood crashed at the German GP M23/4 was wheeled out for Hobbs and Mass to use in Yardley colours for two races each at the end of '74.

The following season Emerson drove M23/4 to second place in the Daily Express International Trophy and Jochen retired / crashed out of the '75 German GP to bring it's contemporary competition history to a close.

M23/4 now has '76 Spanish Grand style side radiator 'pods' complete with the distinctive '76 vents.

I'll post some pics on Sunday.