Friday 31st October 2008

Pic Of The Week: McLaren F1

No need to pay £2.3m, PH gives you the McLaren for free

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Yesterday we told you about the McLaren F1 that sold for £2.3million at RM Auctions 'Automobiles of London' sale. Amidst tales of economic gloom, the fact that people are still spending heavily on great cars certainly made us smile.

Ever since we heard the news, we just can't stop thinking about this magnificent car, in fact we have been debating if any other car has reached such dizzy heights of desirability. To be honest, we don't think so.

It's only right that F1 number 65 is this weeks PotW. Click on the image, save it to your desktop and stare at it all afternoon, it is Friday after all.

Normal (1280x1024)
WideScreen (1440x900)
SuperSize (2048x1536)

[jon-]

It must be perspective but that front wheel looks a whole lot larger than the rear.

I wanted to call it an ugly car but no... it's just right.

[E21_Ross]

jon- said:

It must be perspective but that front wheel looks a whole lot larger than the rear.

I wanted to call it an ugly car but no... it's just right.

it is larger...just. look at the tyre wall. it's thicker at the rear. presumably larger wheels at the front to accommodate bigger discs??

[kambites]

More likely the rolling diameter at the rear is larger and the rim diameter is the same? I don't know though.

[PJR]

Nice pict
While im here.. I think the wheel diameters are the same front and rear. But the tyre profiles are very different. Not too low profiles as MCL wanted to retain some compliance in the ride quality and handling.

P,

[Mafioso]

Can we have the new R300 next week please? The red one with stripes featured in this week's news. Thanks.

[dpbird90]

I think the wheels are the same size, but looking at my 1/18 scale model of it, the tyre profile at the rear is bigger than at the front. But if we want to be sure, best ask Flemke...

[L100NYY]

Wheels front 9 x 17
rear 11.5 x 17
Tyres front Goodyear F1 235/45 ZR 17
rear Goodyear F1 315/45 ZR 17

[Eddy5]

Lush. My new wallpaper

[chazwozza]

want

[jon-]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

F1 cars would run lower profile tyres if the rules allowed, it's far easier to control a spring and damper than air filled rubber.

20" wheels might not offer the best performance but they generally offer the best looks which is why they're fitted. Ultimately, looks sell.

[dandarez]

Your headlines and Quote:
MCLAREN F1 SELLS FOR £2.5M AT LONDON AUCTION

London sale star sets new world record

Going, going, gone
RM auctions set a new benchmark price for values of the McLaren F1 last night, selling the former Park Lane show car for £2.3m at its “Automobiles of London” sale in Battersea Park.

Yesterday we told you about the McLaren F1 that sold for £2.3million...

Your heading yesterday said 2.5 million and the text said both 2.3 and 2.5 -

which is it? or am I just tired

AND anyway, didn't the Jag - E2A - sell for this or even more earlier this year?

[qube_TA]

Legendary car, although looking at that picture, is it a little dated?

[coleo]

qube_TA said:

Legendary car, although looking at that picture, is it a little dated?

Not at all in my opinion, the design still looks fresh.

[Bladedancer]

coleo said:

qube_TA said:

Legendary car, although looking at that picture, is it a little dated?

Not at all in my opinion, the design still looks fresh.

Indeed. But makes you wonder - is SLR really worthy of McLaren badge? IMO - no, it's not.

[gareth.e]

Bladedancer said:

coleo said:

qube_TA said:

Legendary car, although looking at that picture, is it a little dated?

Not at all in my opinion, the design still looks fresh.

Indeed. But makes you wonder - is SLR really worthy of McLaren badge? IMO - no, it's not.

I'm with you on that!

Also if I was offered a Bugatti or an F1 (LM or GTR) I'd go with the F1 straight up!

edit: I've just changed my background to a lovely picture of a F1 LM

Edited by gareth.e on Sunday 2nd November 02:56

[moleamol]

jon- said:

F1 cars would run lower profile tyres if the rules allowed, it's far easier to control a spring and damper than air filled rubber.

Easier generally doesn't mean better.

[varsas]

F1 cars use those tyres (13 inch wheels...) because they are mandated by the rules

"Despite their size, a typical rear wheel and tyre weighs only around 10kg. F1 regs still mandate a 13in wheel, which necessitates a high-profile tyre, so about half the total suspension movement is in the tyre."

from http://www.evo.co.uk/features/features/226401/20_t...

I dare say they are not ideal. I do agree, most modern cars are over tyred. Smaller, thinner wheels give:

better feedback (more directional load coming back through the steering wheel)
better ride
more progressive breakaway
slightly less ultimate grip (which, BTW does not come from a wider tyre having more rubber on the road, that's a myth)

I know which I would choose!

p.s. First pic of the week i have actually used as my wallpaper.

Edited by varsas on Monday 3rd November 08:15

[SamHH]

moleamol said:

jon- said:

F1 cars would run lower profile tyres if the rules allowed, it's far easier to control a spring and damper than air filled rubber.

Easier generally doesn't mean better.

No, but the point is still valid. Just look at other motorsports where lower profile tyres are allowed: they use lower profile tyres.

[J111]

dandarez said:

Your heading yesterday said 2.5 million and the text said both 2.3 and 2.5 -

which is it? or am I just tired

Somebody remembered the buyer's premium.

anonymous said:

[redacted]

IIRC, Flemke's runs the same 19" rubber as the Enzo.

[Stuart]

dandarez said:

Your headlines and Quote:
MCLAREN F1 SELLS FOR £2.5M AT LONDON AUCTION

London sale star sets new world record

Going, going, gone
RM auctions set a new benchmark price for values of the McLaren F1 last night, selling the former Park Lane show car for £2.3m at its “Automobiles of London” sale in Battersea Park.

Yesterday we told you about the McLaren F1 that sold for £2.3million...

Your heading yesterday said 2.5 million and the text said both 2.3 and 2.5 -

which is it? or am I just tired

AND anyway, didn't the Jag - E2A - sell for this or even more earlier this year?

To clear up the confusion:

- The price was a world record for the McLaren F1. Not an auction world record. E2A sold for more, and the Evans 250 California Spider for more than that.
- The hammer price was £2.3m. The buyer then pays a buyer's premium (and VAT on the premium) which we estimate takes the car to a £2.5m final price. The reason why hammer price and total price is often quoted is to reflect the difference in buyer's premium between different auction houses and at different price points.

HTH