s/n 016: Dark Grey or Aubergine? Harrison or Japan?

[Abi2612]

Hi, McLaren F1 spotters!

Have question for the ones among you who care about chassis numbers.

According to various sources that are mentioned here, F1 s/n 016 was originally aubergine and supplied new to George Harrison who subsequently sold it to Eric Clapton.

In 1999, I did inspect an F1 at Schäfer Automobile of Idstein/Germany, the only factory authorized sales and service station in our country. The car was metallic gunmetal grey with cream ("mushroom") interior... and it did bear s/n 016! The full VIN was SA9AB5C8R1048016. I would love to post photos of the VIN and the production number on the center console here, but since I am a noob on this forum, I am apparently not yet allowed to post attachments. Anyone interested may contact me privately with an email addy that's capable of receiving mails with 1,4 MB.

However, the #016 in Germany was reportedly supplied new to Japan, but soon afterwards resold via McLaren to a German customer from the Siegburg area (German plate was apparently SU-F 110). With 21.000 kms., it sat for sale in Schäfer's showroom in late November 1999 where I inspected it for a potential buyer from the U.S.

Question: What is right, what is wrong? Was there a mixup of serial numbers between the George Harrison car and another F1? Are there - for whichever reason - TWO "016s" in existence?

Your comments are welcome.

Andreas

[hurstg01]

Originally Posted by Abi2612

Hi, McLaren F1 spotters!

Have question for the ones among you who care about chassis numbers.

According to various sources that are mentioned here, F1 s/n 016 was originally aubergine and supplied new to George Harrison who subsequently sold it to Eric Clapton.

In 1999, I did inspect an F1 at Schäfer Automobile of Idstein/Germany, the only factory authorized sales and service station in our country. The car was metallic gunmetal grey with cream ("mushroom") interior... and it did bear s/n 016! The full VIN was SA9AB5C8R1048016. I would love to post photos of the VIN and the production number on the center console here, but since I am a noob on this forum, I am apparently not yet allowed to post attachments. Anyone interested may contact me privately with an email addy that's capable of receiving mails with 1,4 MB.

However, the #016 in Germany was reportedly supplied new to Japan, but soon afterwards resold via McLaren to a German customer from the Siegburg area (German plate was apparently SU-F 110). With 21.000 kms., it sat for sale in Schäfer's showroom in late November 1999 where I inspected it for a potential buyer from the U.S.

Question: What is right, what is wrong? Was there a mixup of serial numbers between the George Harrison car and another F1? Are the - for whichever reason - TWO "016s" in existence?

Your comments are welcome.

Andreas

there may well be 2 16's, as there seems to be 2 Frank Seldorffs.....

[McLaren F1 Guy]

#016 is supposed to be with Eric Clapton right now

[Abi2612]

Originally Posted by McLaren F1 Guy

#016 is supposed to be with Eric Clapton right now

I know - but this doesn't answer my question. Clapton owns the ex-Harrison car, but is this really s/n 016? If so - why did "my" dark grey example bear the chassis number 016, too?

[Peloton25]

Originally Posted by hurstg01

there may well be 2 16's, as there seems to be 2 Frank Seldorffs.....

Lay off the pipe man...

= = = = =

abi - I'm not at home, but will address your questions when I get there. The information you offer is strange indeed.

I have previously confused the #016 car with the #025 car. #016 is listed as being painted "Aubergine" and #025 is listed as "Dark Purple Pearl". There are some photos here already if you do a search for 'Harrison' or 'Dark Purple Pearl' you should find some of them. I believe they are of the car you inspected and not of Harrison's F1, even though I originally thought differently. It's certainly possible that while the color of Harrison's F1 was supposedly chosen from an Aubergine, that it's actual color name didn't end up being "Aubergine" - just speculating here of course.

You can forward any photos or info you have to my email address and I will post them for you later. It is Peloton25@hotmail.com

Thanks for sharing btw - I'm always game for a new piece of the puzzle.

>8^)
ER

[FireBball972]

lol, your not at home?

are you at school? i am, lol

school sux

[Peloton25]

Fortunately I'm done with school and have moved on to a J-O-B. Luckily I work with computers which gives me a chance to check up on things here and in other places when I'm not too busy.

>8^)
ER

[mini magic]

here are his pix. i think i speak for everyone when i say thank you very much.












thanks again

[amanichen]

Man...that color is probably the nicest I've ever seen on an F1 =)

[McLaren F1 Guy]

Wow, even a shot of the VIN and a direct shot of the chassis # plaque. Amazing!

[mini magic]

Andreas, where exactly is the VIN located?

Thanks

Chris

[Abi2612]

Originally Posted by mini magic

Andreas, where exactly is the VIN located?

Thanks

Chris

Hi, Chris!

Well, this was four years ago, but if I remember correctly, the VIN is on the floor at one spot where one may lift the carpet a bit. It is DEFINITELY in the floor and one DEFINITELY has to remove the carpet or a similar cover, but WHERE exactly in the passenger compartment, I cannot recall.

Maybe one of the owners on the list may shade some light on this question?

Andreas

[Peloton25]

Hi Andreas-
I responded to your email - thanks for sending it. I included a few questions as well - if you'd like to post the Q&A here that's fine with me.

As for the VIN in his photo, I don't know where they would hide that, but it's a very cool detail I had no idea even existed on the F1. It's great to learn new things about this car no matter how small the details.

I do recall drewwtms mentioning once that there is a true VIN plate in the front compartment - possibly under the tool-roll or in that general area. I'm sure that plate is more similar to the chassis plaque which houses the key hole, then what is pictured above with the VIN engraved directly into the carbon fiber. Maybe he can share more info regarding both of these things.

>8^)
ER

[tvrfreak]

VIN is engraved into the carbon fibre on the left side of the right footwell (if you are sitting in the driver's seat, it would be in the footwell of the passenger to the right). If you are the passenger on the right side, it would be under your left foot (under the floormat).

[Abi2612]

Originally Posted by tvrfreak

VIN is engraved into the carbon fibre on the left side of the right footwell (if you are sitting in the driver's seat, it would be in the footwell of the passenger to the right). If you are the passenger on the right side, it would be under your left foot (under the floormat).

Yep, this sounds very familiar to me! Thanks for bringing it back to my memory.