A completely restored 1997 McLaren F1 GTR in Gulf livery is on sale in Japan
for $4,000,000. While there were 28 McLaren F1 GTR's produced in total, only the
last 10 GTR's were Longtail versions. The GTR on sale is the last one ever
built.
At the end of its racing life, this 28th F1 GTR went through full
restoration by McLaren Automotive so the exterior, interior and engine chamber
are all as good as new.
1997 GTR "Longtail"
The 1997-spec
McLaren F1 GTR's are commonly referred to as the "Longtail" version due to their
stretched bodywork, most noticeably in the rear.
Facing stiffer
competition from Mercedes-Benz with its CLK-GTR and Porsche in 1997, McLaren was
forced to give the F1 extensive modification in order to be able to compete
against these cars which had been meant as race cars first, and not road cars
like the F1. A much longer nose and tail, as well as a wider rear wing were
designed in order to maximize the amount of aerodynamic downforce, while the
wheel arches were widened in order to allow for the maximum amount of grip from
the tires allowed by the rules.