On the ground floor of the astonishing McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, UK a series of immaculate historic McLaren cars is on display. Auto123.com had the chance to see these glorious cars during the tour of the MTC organised by Processia Solutions.
A group of skilled mechanics is responsible of the restoration the cars and their maintenance.
Although he has reached the age of retirement, Neil Trundle is still involved in the day-to-day running of the McLaren Formula 1 team. Trundle was Ron Dennis’ partner when the pair decided to make it in Formula 1 some 37 years ago.
“I have run the gearbox shop for 16 years and now toward retirement, I am the only one working full time on the old Formula 1 cars. We have about 75 cars, maybe 80 in the Historic collection. Some can be seen here at the McLaren Technology Centre and the others are stored in a warehouse,” said Trundle to Auto123.com.
The collection is exceptionally impressive, ranging from F1 to Indy cars, from Can-Ams to road vehicles. It includes Bruce McLaren’s first competition car, a red Austin 7, an orange M8D Can-Am, the 1995 Le Mans-winning McLaren F1 GTR, Johnny Rutherford's 1975 Indy 500 second-place finishing McLaren M16 and one of each MP4 F1 cars produced.
The cars are all in an impeccable state. “All the cars are in running condition. Some of them have not run for five years but we’ve worked our way in the last year through about 20 cars, starting them all up,” Trundle proudly said.
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| The Boulevard of the MTC with the historic cars on display. Photo: McLaren Group |
A group of skilled mechanics is responsible of the restoration the cars and their maintenance.
Although he has reached the age of retirement, Neil Trundle is still involved in the day-to-day running of the McLaren Formula 1 team. Trundle was Ron Dennis’ partner when the pair decided to make it in Formula 1 some 37 years ago.
“I have run the gearbox shop for 16 years and now toward retirement, I am the only one working full time on the old Formula 1 cars. We have about 75 cars, maybe 80 in the Historic collection. Some can be seen here at the McLaren Technology Centre and the others are stored in a warehouse,” said Trundle to Auto123.com.
The collection is exceptionally impressive, ranging from F1 to Indy cars, from Can-Ams to road vehicles. It includes Bruce McLaren’s first competition car, a red Austin 7, an orange M8D Can-Am, the 1995 Le Mans-winning McLaren F1 GTR, Johnny Rutherford's 1975 Indy 500 second-place finishing McLaren M16 and one of each MP4 F1 cars produced.
The cars are all in an impeccable state. “All the cars are in running condition. Some of them have not run for five years but we’ve worked our way in the last year through about 20 cars, starting them all up,” Trundle proudly said.
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| Neil Trundle Photo: René Fagnan Auto123.com |