1965 McLaren M1A Chassis Number 04
Highlights
- Completely restored by Autoklassiker to 1965 specifications
- One of only 24 M1As built by Elva
- Purchased new and driven in races by Ludwig Heimarth
- A well-known M1A with fully documented history
- 439 hp Ford Cobra engine with ZF gearbox
- FIA historic licence valid until December 2027
- Two FIA Passports for the M1A 1961-65 and M1B 1966-71 configurations
The Attractions
The M1A changed the face of racing. Without it there would have been no Formula One team and the iconic McLaren CAN-AM cars would not have existed. This car and the subsequent M1B and M1C proved incredibly fast and established McLaren's reputation.
Elva provided the chassis on which McLaren built its 15 M1As from Bruce McLaren's M1A Group 7 prototype at its factory in Rye, East Sussex. This one, chassis number 04, was commissioned by Canadian driver Ludwig Heimrath with a 4.7-litre Ford Cobra engine and a 5-speed ZF gearbox, instead of the more common configuration with a Chevrolet engine. Heimrath finished 2nd in the 1965 Canadian Championship.
The subsequent history of this famous car is just as exciting and is well documented in photos and documents. You will find more details about it below. It was even reproduced in a diecast model by March Models.
In 2018 it was restored by Autoklassiker to the original 'Heimarth' specifications and in the unmistakable yellow livery. It is now fitted with a rebuilt 4.8-litre Cobra engine and a ZF gearbox. Since its completion, it is well known to classic racing enthusiasts as it has been driven regularly on historic European circuits.
Supplied with FIA historic certification valid until December 2027, this M1A is offered for sale with extensive historic documentation and verified and carefully recorded characteristics. Coming from a private collection, this is a very rare opportunity to acquire a very well known and carefully restored M1A 'Elva'. It is ready to be driven in competition or simply admired.
History and Documents
- First registered on 5 June 1965
- Chassis number 4 of 24 built by Elva under McLaren licence
- First bought by Canadian Ludwig Heimrath, who drove it to second place in the Canadian championship in 1965.
- Factory supplied with the 4.7-litre Ford Cobra V8 and ZF gearbox, specifications it still retains today.
- Copy of McLaren chassis records and race results
- Canadian Racer online article with Heimrath in action
- Technical data sheet for this car with a very detailed specification list
- Ludwig Heimarth's race results, which are summarised below
- FIA Historic certifications, the last one valid until 31 December 2027, TSRC12 class.
- Old photographs showing the car in various liveries and at various circuits over time
- Old photographs of the chassis painted blue before restoration
- Letter from Ed Butt, Canadian Motorsport Services, dated 10 February 2015, verifying details of the restoration.
- Dyno reading dated 18 July 2014
- Photograph of the Elva factory
- Registration document
- Two FIA Passports for M1A 1961-65 and M1B 1966-71 configurations
Heimarth 1965 Canadian Championship - 2nd place overall:
- 5.6.1965 Player's 200 Mosport - 3rd
- 19.6.1965 Spring Trophy Mosport - 1st
- 27.6.1965 GP Watkins Glen - DNF (suspended)
- 4.7.1965 Labatt 50 Mont-Tremblant - 4th
- 8.8.1965 National Mont-Tremblant - DNF (suspension)
- 14.8.1965 Harewood Acres - 1st
- 29.8.1965 USRRC Mid-Ohio - 3rd
- 4.9.1965 Indian Summer Mosport - 1st
- 5.9.1965 Fort Macleod - DNA
- 19.9.1965 Player's Mont-Tremblant - 4th
- 25.9.1965 GP Canada Mosport - DNF
- 17.10.1965 200 mile Laguna Seca - DNF (accident)
Highlights of the 2018 restoration carried out by Autoklassiker:
- Complete restoration of the race-ready 4,772 cc Ford Cobra V8 engine
- Chassis restored and repainted in the correct blue colour
- ZF 5-speed balanced gearbox
- Suspension and mechanicals completely rebuilt as shown in photographs
- New tyres and two spare sets
- Numerous spare parts included
This M1A was first registered on 5 June 1965 and was number 04 of 24 cars built under licence by Elva in Rye, East Sussex, for McLaren. Most of these cars were assembled with Chevrolet mechanicals. The first buyer of this car, the well-known Canadian racing driver Ludwig Heimrath, requested a Ford Cobra power unit and a ZF gearbox.
Heimrath quickly started racing this car and achieved considerable success. He was skilled enough to secure second place overall in the Canadian championship, which was the precursor to the legendary CAN-AM series of the following year. This was despite the fact that he broke down on two occasions.
In October 1965, during the gruelling 200-mile race at Laguna Seca, Heimrath suffered a serious accident. The chassis and suspension were damaged and the bodywork destroyed by fire. He sent the damaged car to his friends Rudi and George of Fejer Brothers Racing in Toronto, who took care of its restoration. It was a wise choice because the Fejers were familiar with the M1A and had created their own 'Chinook' bodywork that closely resembled the original bodywork built by Elva.
The work involved a complete rebuild of the chassis, using special equipment to straighten and repair the lightweight, square-tube, multi-tubular spaceframe structure. The suspension was tuned by the expert Ed Butt, who wrote to the owners of the time in February 2015 to confirm the frame's originality.
During the restoration, Heimrath bought a new Chinook body from the Fejers but did not fit it.
When the restoration was complete, CAN-AM had moved on and the M1B was the most competitive McLaren car. Heimrath decided to swap the M1A and Chinook bodywork for an M1B with fellow driver Peter Lerch.
In 1967 the car returned to the UK with the Chinook body before being sold in 1968 to Swiss collector Freddy Burger. A Super 8 video from 1971 shows the car in action at the Kilometre Eau-Morte in Geneva.
Between 1972 and 1973 the car competed in various hill-climb races, including the SINACAR Ford at Villars Burqui Champagne, before being dismantled and stored until 1996.
In October of that year it was acquired by Christian Tedeschi who carried out much of the detailed historical research that can be seen in the historical archive, including photographs, records of race results and details of the features and livery. Between 2003 and 2006, Tedeschi commissioned a restoration in M1A and M1B livery and obtained dual FIA certification. The car then competed regularly in FIA Historic events until 2017.
The current owner bought the car in 2018 and, in collaboration with Tedeschi, undertook a complete restoration of the car. The work has been entrusted to high-end specialist Autoklassiker and has focused on returning the car to its original 1965 specification and livery. The work is summarised above.
Since the work was completed the car has been little used. It can be supplied with an Autoklassiker race service package at an additional cost if the buyer requests it.
The Condition
- Restoration of excellent quality, with little use of the car since completion
- Restored bodywork retaining the colour of the original 1965 Heimrath yellow livery
- Original leather steering wheel with period stamping, in addition another modern racing wheel
- New set of Avon CR6 ZZ tyres and two other complete sets
- Restored chassis with blue paintwork, period correct colour
The restoration of a historically significant car such as this spectacular model is a 'titanic' undertaking.
Fortunately, this task was entrusted to Autoklassiker, a renowned specialist in high-grade racing cars.
Thanks to an extensive historical archive, compiled by former owner Christian Tedeschi, it was possible to carefully replicate Ludwig Heimrath's original 1965 race livery and specifications. The car is now finished in the 'McLaren yellow' colour that characterised these early cars.
The attention to originality also includes the 1965 leather steering wheel, which has been painstakingly restored, with no detail left out.
This example for sale here is an exceptionally rare racing car of great importance in the world of racing - among other things, presented here in exceptional condition.
Fortunately, this task was entrusted to Autoklassiker, a renowned specialist in high-grade racing cars.
Thanks to an extensive historical archive, compiled by former owner Christian Tedeschi, it was possible to carefully replicate Ludwig Heimrath's original 1965 race livery and specifications. The car is now finished in the 'McLaren yellow' colour that characterised these early cars.
The attention to originality also includes the 1965 leather steering wheel, which has been painstakingly restored, with no detail left out.
This example for sale here is an exceptionally rare racing car of great importance in the world of racing - among other things, presented here in exceptional condition.
The Mechanics
- Race-ready 4,772 cc Ford Cobra V8 engine (originally 4,725 cc)
- Engine develops 439 hp
- Fully balanced 5-speed ZF gearbox
- Suspension with independent transverse arms and adjustable springs
- Weighs only 551 kg
- Completely rebuilt mechanics as documented in photographs
- Wide range of spare parts, stored in a large number of race crates
This M1A was rather unusual in that it was factory ordered with a Ford engine and ZF gearbox, rather than the more common Chevrolet and Hewland configuration. It retained a Ford Cobra V8 although slightly modified in displacement from the original. The ZF gearbox was rebuilt and balanced during the restoration.
With a weight of only 551 kg and an output of 439 hp, this M1A is very powerful. It outclassed its competition rivals when new and remains a car with great potential in FIA Historic races. It comes with the current FIA Historic certification, which includes a detailed list of its specific characteristics. It can be seen in the photographs.
It is also equipped with a large number of spare parts, and offers the possibility of using Autoklassiker's popular race support package.
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✓ This vehicle is on an "as is ", "as is" basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase is strongly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for illustrative purposes only.
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Vehicle specification
- Year 1965
- Make McLaren
- Model M1A
- Colour Multicolour
- Odometer
- Engine size 4772
Listing Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Province of Brescia
- Location International
- Country Italy
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