The enchanting #036 visits Cars & Coffee in Houston...

[prescription7]

Very cool insights! Thanks for answering that. It makes sense that some of the things in the original drawings and concept didn't completely make it into production as planned.

I also didn't notice the wiper missing until you mentioned it! As I'm sure you checked and confirmed, all of the other saved images of #036 that I've found over the years show it with the wiper in place.

[Peloton25]

Couple more videos have found there way onto YouTube. Not so sure about the audio choice on the first one but it is interesting I guess.

>8^)
ER

[McF1]

Originally Posted by teflon

Given all that "we" know about GM and McLaren's attention to detail, do you really feel comfortable saying that it is not functional? I certainly don't have the answer, but I would at least posit that it is designed in that manner to direct airflow over the center of the windscreen, possibly to help guide it into the roof scoop.

Greg A

For what it is worth, I also recall having read the function of this vent as directing the flow towards the engine air intake.

[carbuilder2002]

It must be functional or else why add the extra weight? We all know how obsessive GM was over extra weight.

[HansGruber]

I think this is the nicest McLaren F1 in regards to color. Very unique and suits the car extremely well. I kind of wish the interior wasn't blue though.

[mtbscott]

This car (or rather Peleton25's photoessay on it from Monterrey last summer) was the one that rekindled my interest in the F1. Reading around the lines, I figured it was here in my hometown, knew the owner actually drives it, so I kept my fingers crossed that I would eventually see it.
I had been at Cars and Coffee that morning around 45 minutes already and was making the rounds. It covers an immense parking area with over 1000 cars, came around a corner and there is was in all its splendor.
I got to speak with the owner for awhile, he was very friendly and talkative. At first he had all of the doors and engine covers open, I asked him if he would mind opening the luggage compartments which he cheerfully did ( I wanted to see how much space there was and you really could take three people and their stuff for a trip with it as was intended.)
As many others have noted, the car is and looks very small in person. It's only about 3 inches longer than my TT-RS, shorter and with a longer wheelbase. It's not that much smaller than the contemporary Ferrari's and Lamborghini's that were around it, but looks tiny in comparison due to its proportions.
The owner alluded that he was going to be out of town for a few months after that show, but I live/work near where I believe he lives so I'll keep my eyes open for a more impromptu siting.