1972 McLaren M21
- Engine
- Ford-Cosworth BDA/BDE/BDF inline-four, 1.6–1.9L, five-speed Hewland LG gearbox
- Colour
- Papaya orange

The McLaren M21 was a Formula 2 car designed by Ralph Bellamy for the 1972 season, powered by Ford-Cosworth BDA/BDE/BDF engines and fitted with a Hewland five-speed gearbox. This example, designated chassis '2', was reconstructed in the late 1990s by Kerry Adams using components from two Formula Atlantic chassis previously raced by Steve Prior and Tony Trimmer, plus a spare monocoque. McLaren International subsequently assigned it the chassis number corresponding to Jody Scheckter's 1972 race-winning car, and it is finished in period Papaya Orange livery.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €172,500 (≈ $190K)
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownKerry Adamspartial documentation
Conducted a restoration project in the late 1990s using two chassis previously raced in Formula Atlantic and a spare monocoque, ultimately constructing three cars including this one.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJody Scheckterpartial documentation
Sole owner of chassis 2 since the late 1990s following the completion of the reconstruction project; car is finished in Papaya Orange reflecting his 1972 campaign.
Competition
- 1972Formula 2Crystal Palace Formula 2 raceDriver: Jody Scheckter1st
Scheckter took victory at Crystal Palace, London, driving an M21 during the 1972 season.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
Three M21 cars were built by Kerry Adams during a restoration project in the late 1990s, drawing on two ex-Formula Atlantic chassis and a spare monocoque held by MacAllister and McLaren International. On completion, McLaren assigned chassis numbers to all three cars.
Chassis numbers were issued retrospectively by McLaren upon completion; chassis '2' was designated as corresponding to Scheckter's 1972 Formula 2 car.
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