1971 McLaren M19A
- Engine
- Ford DFV V8 with Hewland five-speed gearbox (later converted to 5.0L Chevrolet V8 for F5000, subsequently restored to DFV spec)
McLaren M19A-1 is the first chassis of the Ralph Bellamy-designed M19A, a landmark 1971 Formula 1 car notable for its 'Coke bottle' monocoque and innovative inboard rising-rate suspension. Raced in period by Denny Hulme, Peter Gethin, Jackie Oliver, Mark Donohue, David Hobbs, Peter Revson, Brian Redman, and Jody Scheckter — encompassing two World Champions and an Indianapolis 500 winner — it later ran in European Formula 5000 trim before being restored to DFV specification and ultimately acquired by Scheckter, the car's own former driver and 1979 World Champion.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €837,500 (≈ $921K)
- 1971 → 1973Factory deliveryMcLarenfull documentation
The chassis was constructed and campaigned by the factory team across the 1971 and 1972 Formula 1 seasons before being superseded by a new design.
- 1973 →Private saleTony Kitchinerpartial documentation
A notable Formula 5000 entrant and constructor who converted the car to accept a large-displacement Chevrolet unit and ran it in European F5000 competition.
- → 1997Acquisition unknownJohn Foulstonpartial documentation
A prominent British historic racing participant who had the car reinstated to its original DFV-engined configuration and entered it in occasional HSCC Historic Formula 1 events.
- 1997 →AuctionJody Scheckterpartial documentation
Acquired from Foulston's estate; Scheckter had previously raced this chassis during his Formula 1 debut and has kept it in his personal collection since purchase.
Competition
- 1971Formula 1 World Championship1971 South African Grand PrixDriver: Denny Hulme6th
Hulme qualified 7th and briefly led before a loose suspension component ended his chance of victory.
- 19711971 Questor Grand PrixDriver: Denny Hulme3rd
A non-championship event held in California.
- 1971Formula 1 World Championship1971 Spanish Grand PrixDriver: Denny Hulme5th
Contested at the Montjuich Park street circuit in Barcelona.
- 1971Formula 1 World Championship1971 Monaco Grand PrixDriver: Denny Hulme4th
- 1971Formula 1 World Championship1971 French Grand PrixDriver: Peter Gethin9th
Gethin had taken over this chassis after Hulme switched to the newer M19A-2 at Zandvoort.
- 1971Formula 1 World Championship1971 Austrian Grand PrixDriver: Jackie Oliver9th
Oliver joined having previously raced for Lotus and BRM; he started from the back of the grid.
- 1971Formula 1 World Championship1971 Canadian Grand PrixDriver: Mark Donohue3rd
Run under the Penske/Kirk F. White banner; this was Donohue's Formula 1 debut at Mosport Park.
- 1971Formula 1 World Championship1971 United States Grand PrixDriver: David Hobbs10th
Hobbs substituted for Donohue, who was required at a rescheduled USAC fixture.
- 1972Formula 1 World Championship1972 Argentine Grand PrixDriver: Peter RevsonDNF
Revson's first outing in the chassis ended in retirement.
- 1972Formula 1 World Championship1972 South African Grand PrixDriver: Peter Revson3rd
Held at Kyalami; a strong recovery result after the opening-round retirement.
- 19721972 Race of ChampionsDriver: Peter Revson8th
Non-championship event at Brands Hatch.
- 19721972 Oulton Park Gold CupDriver: Denny Hulme1st
Hulme won convincingly ahead of Emerson Fittipaldi's JPS Lotus entry.
- 1972Formula 1 World Championship1972 French Grand PrixDriver: Brian Redman9th
Contested at the Clermont-Ferrand circuit.
- 1972Formula 1 World Championship1972 British Grand PrixDriver: Peter Revson3rd
Only Revson, race winner Fittipaldi, and second-placed Stewart completed the full race distance.
- 1972Formula 1 World Championship1972 German Grand PrixDriver: Brian Redman5th
Scored at the Nürburgring, contributing Championship points for McLaren.
- 1972Formula 1 World Championship1972 United States Grand PrixDriver: Jody Scheckter9th
This was Scheckter's Formula 1 debut at Watkins Glen; he finished ahead of several experienced drivers including Graham Hill and Chris Amon.
- 1974European Formula 5000 Championship1974 European Formula 5000 ChampionshipDriver: René Arnoux
Car was converted to F5000 specification with a Chevrolet engine; also driven by Tony Trimmer and Gordon Spice during the season.
- 1974European Formula 5000 Championship1974 Mugello F5000 roundDriver: Tony Trimmer13th
One of two best results recorded during the F5000 campaign.
- 1974European Formula 5000 Championship1974 Monza F5000 roundDriver: Tony Trimmer12th
The other best result from the F5000 season.
- —HSCC Historic Formula 1HSCC Historic Formula 1 events
Entered occasionally in period-correct DFV-powered configuration during John Foulston's ownership in the early 1980s.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1971Inspection
Car's first shakedown test conducted ahead of the 1971 season.
- 1973Modification
Original DFV engine removed and replaced with a 5-litre Chevrolet unit for Formula 5000 competition; car prepared by Tony Kitchiner for the 1974 European F5000 season.
- —Restoration
Car returned to original DFV-powered Formula 1 specification during John Foulston's ownership in the early 1980s.
Work carried out to allow the car to compete in HSCC Historic Formula 1 events.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.