Ameritech F1 modification parts...

Not sure how many of you are regular viewers over on FerrariChat, but there is a long running "McLaren F1 pics" thread in their 'Showroom' forum that sees occasional activity over there. All of the pics that are in that thread have found there way here at some point - often at much higher resolutions, so from an image standpoint you aren't really missing out on anything.

The discussion, at least from my perspective is usually an interesting one with people asking different questions or sharing little bits of their own info from time to time. A lot of it is repeating ground we have already plowed, sometimes several times, and again nothing earth shattering usually. If there was something new, myself or Chris or Greg or Al who have all participated at one point in it, would surely port those details over here as I am doing now.

Recently it's been 'on fire' for lack of a better term, and yesterday a new user mentioned having a crate with parts from one of the Ameritech F1s in his possession. :yikes:

This evening he emailed me some photos of them - quite impressive I think, even if in use they did make the F1s look like a complete 'ugly duckling'. One thing that I learned now is that in addition to the front bumper-ettes that were fitted and seen in the infamous Ameritech F1 photo in Road&Track, is that Amerispec also created a piece to tack onto the rear bumper as well.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20I/IMG_3849.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20I/IMG_3855.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20I/IMG_3861.jpg

As you can see, they have been fixed into a rather impressive custom storage crate for long term preservation and the box is marked 'DO NOT SELL' but obviously these didn't stay with the car when it moved on.

He's on the East coast of Florida, but I have a strong suspicion these parts came off of one of Gerd Petrik's F1s - perhaps chassis #045? When he first mentioned them he stated "They are painted the dark gray color" which leads me to believe they aren't a bright silver like the other 6 Ameritech F1s would have been.

He has mentioned that he can try to take them out of the crate for better photos, and I have asked that he do so if not too inconvenient, so we will see what comes of that.

As a piece of "F1 history" I think him finding these and sharing them is really quite cool. Hopefully you'll agree, even though some might think tossing a match in the box might also be a good idea. :grinno:

>8^)
ER

That was quick :D

Peloton, many thanks for posting these picts. I'd been following the thread on Fchat and found it very interesting. I'd always figured the bumpers were drilled in but that the owners just replaced them with unscathed bumpers after they were registered ... small price to pay to have an F1 in the country. :) But the thread fleshed out quite a bit on AmeriSpec's conversion, so many thanks!

Sure thing - I was really just a lucky bystander there frankly. He did thank me via email for "encouraging him to share" - so I guess my 'love-love-love' comment did the trick. See, it doesn't hurt to beg... :grinno:

I'd always figured the bumpers were drilled in but that the owners just replaced them with unscathed bumpers after they were registered ... small price to pay to have an F1 in the country. :)

I was told long ago by someone who had worked for Amerispec at the time the F1s came in that all of these changes were designed so as not to alter the cars in any permanent way. There were no additional holes drilled, and no wires clipped to make it all work. I suspect that other than a few we've seen with Ameritech VIN stickers, that there are no signs of the 'molestation' present on them today.

= = = = = =

For those who might not already be following the FChat thread, I posted these old images of #045 there for reference on why I think the pieces in his crate were from that car. Paint color seems to match exactly in my opinion.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20I/McLaren_side.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20I/McLaren_nose.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20I/McLaren_front.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20I/McLaren_rear.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20I/McLaren_engine.jpg

However, there are also several shots of #045 that give more of a titanium/brown tinge to the color, so perhaps I am off on my guess. He's trying to find out the original story on where exactly the parts came from, what car they came off of, and why they are at his shop. Hopefully whatever discussions he has will again return some interesting stuff for us. :)

>8^)
ER

:thumbsup:

For those who might not already be following the FChat thread, I posted these old images of #045 there for reference on why I think the pieces in his crate were from that car. Paint color seems to match exactly in my opinion.
ER

Actually, I agree with you. I still have the DuPont Registry when the cars were put up for sale, and I do remember them both being this titanium color, not a bright silver. As soon as I saw the pictures, it immediately reminded me of the color of Petrik's cars. On separate notes, I did think it odd that he got both cars the same color ... but I'm not complaining. :headshake And, I take it AmeriSpec had to add the big, bright "Unleaded" stick-ons on the gas cap? Wow...

You have an ad showing both cars and it isn't this dinky little image, that I have already blown up with very poor results?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20I/2481000c_L.jpg

Actually the cars were different shades - #045 is "Dark Silver" and #067 was "Magnesium Silver" which would be a brighter color. You can kind of see the differences in that tiny image, though its not the best representation for sure.

>8^)
ER

The shadows in that pic are throwing me off. Are you sure its not a [good] photoshop?

On the page it appeared on originally, it's about the size of a postage stamp, so no - I can not be sure it's not an altered image. It does appear there was a printing error near the rear wheel on #045, which certainly doesn't help.

Here's the page I pulled it from, along with scans of three other ads featuring Petrik's McLarens printed around the same time. The second scan definitely has the same car twice, done by simply flipping the image horizontally.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1/th_2481000b.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1/2481000b.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20I/th_1713157c.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20I/1713157c.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20I/th_1713157d.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20I/1713157d.jpg) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20I/th_jul002pa2.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20I/jul002pa2.jpg)

>8^)
ER

It actually looks better in that scan. Thanks

LOOK WHAT I JUST STUMBLED ON!!!!! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/Smilies/woohoo.gif

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4328737352_7f5b963f89.jpg

Gerd's Exotic Cars (Set) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/drawes28/sets/72157623344552796/)

>8^)
ER

^ nice find! :thumbsup:

+1 and nice color

Anyone want to buy them? (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/McLaren-Ameritech-F1-Bumper-Modification-parts-crate-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem230b09f1fcQQitemZ15050 9056508QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries)

:)

(too rich for me.....)

You'd need a barge to transport all the horses that provide the power that 1 car does.

I believe these parts were used on one of RL's cars for the DOT application. Besides the pictures I have other reasons which lead me to RL. But it could be GP. MAybe each car received a set of these fake props. I have the entire file somewhere, it is over two inches thick. In includes photocopies of pictures and extensive documentation (read BS) that RF used to make sure that his partner at DOT would approve the application. Pictures show the parts "installed" but not permanently affixed including the square headlights and headlight holders. From the pictures it is clear the car could never be driven with these components. The pictures show the car in a much higher "road height" position but the car is likely on jack stands. Clever shot. I believe RF rented a warehouse in CT and that is where the pictures were taken. He never actually owned a facility but used others near his office.
The EPA documentation show very clearly that McLaren worked with RF to import the seven cars. McLaren, being the secretive company they are, supplied dozens of internal drawings and other documentation. It is clear who they sent this documentation to - RF.

Per another thread, there were 246 S&D car applications as of January 2011. 89 were denied, incomplete, not approved. Some very interesting cars added and also some motorcycles.
DOT no longer gives out the last six digits of the VINS. The argument for denial speaks to the fact that DM and friends have always been in collusion with private owners which not only conflicts but violates the law. Oh, I forgot. I'm a conspiracy theorist according to AF readers. But don't tell that to the three owners who hired me to restore the value to their illegally imported exotics.
Feel free to flame. I only visit here every few years and never my previous posts.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/McLaren-Ameritech-F1-Bumper-Modification-parts-crate-/150561342865?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item230e27c591

McLaren Ameritech F1 Bumper Modification parts in crate.
McLaren Front bumpers & headlights & rear bumpers 1of 7.

You are bidding on a NEW ORIGINAL SUPER Rare "Ameritech F1 modification parts for the McLaren F1! This auction is NOT for the car, but for the front and rear bumpers, headlights, rear bumper and items inside the crate and crate itself. These rare parts have been sitting in my warehouse collecting dust. The rare bumper and headlight kit were supposedly to be fitted on 1 of 7 McLaren's that were imported by Ameritech to meet the DOT requirements and NHTSA's Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. It was nearly impossible to get one of these cars legally into the United States with the harsh DOT laws.

These kits were supposed to be installed when the cars were imported, and I have heard that possibly only a few of the cars were ever even fitted with the components (first picture shows the little front pods bumper-ettes. In the kit, there are two front bumper-ettes which weigh and astronomical 18lbs each!! Gordon Murry would have heartburn if he knew these were installed on the car! As one expert said, "18lbs is like a ton when you're talking about the McLaren F1. Gordon Murray would have never allowed that to happen. The shot of the rear bumper is great. Those indentations match up with a row of vents in the factory rear bumper, but would serve to block the heat an F1's engine generates that really needs to be coming out of them. Very interesting part though."


The two head light assemblies look like they have never been installed nor have the rear bumper. It looks like there are some super heavy duty solid steel parts in the crate where the bumpers attach. The bumpers seem to have never been installed but do have some scratches from moving in the crate.

It is believed and the address on the crate shows this kit was actually shipped to Osprey, FL (West Coast) and it is believed the owner was orginally Gerd Petrik. The bumper color seems to be a darker color too. I believe this kit was from car # 045.

These parts are all in the original crate. Truly a rare McLaren item with a story behind it. This kit would compliment the original car very nicely. This Ameritech F1 modification kit is a rare item in history for the astue collector.

Shipping would be truck freight. I would estimate shipping to be $150-350 depending on where you are in the continental 48 states. For international shipping, please contact me for a quote. I am happy to deliver the item in South Florida at no charge. Florida sales tax of 6.5% will be charged on orders inside the State of Florida.

:frown:

:frown:

:disappoin

really ugly those lights

"super heavy duty solid steel parts" :nono: no place on a McLaren F1.

Only one place for those parts......in the skip :iceslolan

I'm normally a fan of Google, but occasionally I find something online that it seems like my searches should have uncovered many years ago and I wonder why it took so long and why my previous attempts were unsuccessful... :disappoin

Anyway, I am happy to share these 'new' photos of an F1 converted with the Ameritech parts including the first picture ever seen of the rear bumper fitted to the car. I know its not beautiful by any stretch, but its still a pretty interesting part of the history for some of these cars and so that makes it special in my eyes.

This should be chassis #055, at least that would be my bet anyway.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20M/RLMc.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20M/MVC-072S.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1%20M/MVC-070S.jpg

>8^)
ER

why oh why did they ever do that:(

Peloton/Erik - offered you the entire DOT Ameritech F1 package for free. Two inches thick. You never responded. I think I threw it out.

Peloton/Erik - offered you the entire DOT Ameritech F1 package for free. Two inches thick. You never responded. I think I threw it out.

Well that's a shame, as I don't recall any messages related to that. Where did you send it?

>8^)
ER

Entire Fritz/Ameritech DOT file/application under Ameritech VIN. $15,000.00

It looks horrendous