Description
1969 McLaren-Trojan M12 Can-Am / M12GTChassis M12 60 05A rare opportunity to acquire one of the most historically significant surviving McLaren-Trojan Can-Am chassis, with documented period competition history spanning Can-Am, IMSA, endurance racing and historic motorsport. Delivered new to Chaparral Cars for the 1969 Can-Am Championship, chassis M12 60 05 made its competition debut in the hands of Formula One World Champion John Surtees. In its very first race at Mosport, Surtees drove the car to an impressive 3rd place finish, trailing only Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme in the factory McLaren M8B entries. During its front-line Can-Am career, the car was campaigned by some of motorsport’s most respected names including John Surtees, Andrea de Adamich, Jerry Titus, Peter Revson and David Hobbs. The chassis competed at legendary circuits including Mosport, Watkins Glen, Bridgehampton, Road America, Laguna Seca, Riverside and Road Atlanta. Following its Can-Am career, the car was acquired by Paul Canary who undertook a fascinating transformation, fitting an M6GT coupe body and developing the chassis for endurance racing. The car subsequently appeared in IMSA competition, Sebring campaigns and was entered for Le Mans, adding another remarkable chapter to its already distinguished history. Ownership history is well documented, passing through a select group of custodians including Chaparral Cars, Terry Godsell, Paul Canary, Jerry Winston, Lance Smith and Ross Pendergast before being imported to Australia in 2023. Today, the chassis remains M12 60 05 and is fitted with M12GT6013 bodywork. The car presents as an exceptional restoration candidate, offering the next custodian the opportunity to return a genuine Can-Am-era McLaren-Trojan to its former glory or continue its fascinating M12GT endurance racing story. Highlights:• Genuine McLaren-Trojan M12 chassis M12 60 05• Debut podium finish with Formula One World Champion John Surtees• Competed in the legendary Can-Am Championship during its peak years• Driven by John Surtees, Andrea de Adamich, Jerry Titus, Peter Revson and David Hobbs• Documented ownership history from new• Period IMSA and endurance racing history• Le Mans-associated competition history• Imported to Australia in 2023• Eligible for numerous premier historic racing and concours events worldwide• Significant restoration opportunity with outstanding provenanceCars with authentic Can-Am history rarely become available. Even fewer can claim competition links to John Surtees, Chaparral, McLaren and the golden era of North American sports car racing. A remarkable piece of motorsport history and a centrepiece for any serious historic racing collection.
