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

#036's owner attended the Houston Cars & Coffee event this morning. I hope he had a wonderful time. :)

I have already heard from a couple of people who were thrilled to get to see the car. :cool:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mtbscott/IMG_0582.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7134/6907594310_357e0b2a89_c.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/kwwlf.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4IQpQIYv3CU/T4B-yAA2_BI/AAAAAAAAAxY/PxKU0Qxe0fc/s1600/McLaren+F1.JPG

>8^)
ER

Arghhh I can't believe I missed it! Any details on the car's whereabouts in Houston?

Must stalk.

I was sort of responsible for the owner attending today and am sorry for not being able to announce its presence in advance. There was supposed to be a much larger display with several other McLarens which was my initial reason for asking him if he was interested in participating. If that had gone off without a hitch I would have certainly been able to give some advanced notice.

The focus on McLarens ended up being cancelled because the dealership in Dallas backed out of participating near the last minute when they realized that would have meant putting their employees to work on Easter weekend. :( I suspect they will reorganize and do the McLaren event next month but am already aware this F1 won't be able to attend again.

The organizer of it all (a 12C owner) was trying to reach out to one of the other F1 owners in the Houston area too but I don't believe he has had any luck with that approach yet.

'Stalk' can be a troubling word for some people - keep that in mind. ;) I can't offer you any details on where you might find this F1 otherwise but I do know that for the owner to bring his car out it was a bit of a drive. I sincerely thank him for doing that still, given the rest of the McLaren display was a no-show and he knew this earlier in the week so he could have scrapped his own plans too. If I hear of any other opportunities I will let you know but you may want to plan for next month's Cars & Coffee just in case things work out with another car attending.

A few more pics someone sent my way.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mtbscott/IMG_0573.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mtbscott/IMG_0575.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mtbscott/IMG_0576.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/mtbscott/IMG_0581.jpg

More discovered photos...

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk114/rcktman1_album/Shows%20and%20Cruises/Cars%20and%20Coffee/04-07-2012/DSCN4690.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk114/rcktman1_album/Shows%20and%20Cruises/Cars%20and%20Coffee/04-07-2012/DSCN4691.jpg

>8^)
ER

Many, many nice photos of #036 from this morning here. Click 'Options' and choose "Enter Fullscreen"

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150657575141872.392747.145998301871&type=1

>8^)
ER

Quick video from yesterday's appearance of #036.

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Love the caption that was included with it. :)

This here is the ultra rare, ultra fast, ultra quick, ultra cool, and ultra expensive McLaren F1. It is just the most spectacular car I've had seen in my life so far, since I was a little kid, I've always wanted to see this car and the day I saw it, I was like "WOW!" Seeing this car is always going to be a little boy's dream...

>8^)
ER

A wet dream at that lol

LOL, I would never stalk a private owner. I was merely joking.

But yes, I have yet to see an F1 in person and I've been waiting for over a decade. To have missed the opportunity when I lived in the same city is a true disappointment for me.

I hope 036 comes out again sometime.

I was fortunate enough to attend the Houston car show and got an excellent look at #036. The owner was a true gentleman and incredibly nice to bring out this special car for everyone to see, and I think the crowd was respectful and polite and everyone had a good time.

The owner chatted with everyone there who had questions, and he seemed about as down-to-Earth as anyone with a $4 million dollar automobile could be. :smile: I asked him a few questions, and, of course, after I left I thought of a bunch more. He talked about how he likes to track some of his other cars, but it would be foolish to put the F1 on a track, because of the expense (of consumables), wear and tear and risk involved with such a valuable car. We both apparently like to drive at the same race track, MSR Houston, and he talked about a new track that just opened near New Orleans. He also talked about how some of the parts (rubber? Epoxy? I can't recall) wear out and get brittle if the car isn't used often. To me he didn't seem crazy about the MP4-12C, or what it stood for.

I don't have much more to report, just those bits and pieces, I was mostly just in awe of this incredible car. The presence of an F1 is unrivaled. I snapped some pictures, and tried to get some interesting perspectives despite the crowded and ugly shopping-center-car-show setting. This link (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thisisasummary/) will take you to my photostream so you can see the rest of my F1 images.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6917174504_5a820fe7fb_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7129/6917177152_ef08f922d2_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7226/7063256783_9fa05b8de3_c.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5454/6917205486_e70466075a_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7243/6917203506_abbb51d5c7_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7195/6917204396_91cecc26a7_c.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5343/7063281621_de9ff8466e_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7121/7063280417_b5e8f63cc2_c.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5337/7063276555_5fdf2132e4_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7040/7063279099_9dc8740fa1_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7111/6917197440_4d65beb984_c.jpg

Question for you guys, what is the central air inlet in the small front panel (in my head I call this the "Kenwood Panel")? If I were to guess I would say it was for HVAC. Does it look blocked off on this car? Is it always? Looks like it's just paint in there. Here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thisisasummary/6917197440/sizes/o/in/photostream/) is a link to the high-res so you can get a closer look.

I was fortunate enough to attend the Houston car show and got an excellent look at #036. The owner was a true gentleman and incredibly nice to bring out this special car for everyone to see, and I think the crowd was respectful and polite and everyone had a good time.

Thanks for sharing your experience and those excellent photos with us. I'm quite glad that so many people benefited from #036's attendance at C&C, but especially someone like yourself who has had such a dedicated interest in the F1 for so long. :thumbsup:

It seems the owner enjoyed his time there as well which is also a positive outcome. I was somewhat hesitant to extend the invite at first, letting him know that he could say 'No thanks' without any ill will as I knew it was a burdensome request. I became even more concerned when the rest of what was planned for the day got shelved. I think had it gone off as planned it would have taken a bit of the pressure off him. He is quite the gentleman to have chosen to go still and subject himself to what appears to have been a near mob-scene and take it all in stride. I've seen nothing but compliments about him and the car in various places online - just what I expected from my experience of meeting him last year and speaking with him via email for the past few years. I could be wrong, but there even seems a wry smile on his face in your shot of him by the door. :)

Question for you guys, what is the central air inlet in the small front panel (in my head I call this the "Kenwood Panel")? If I were to guess I would say it was for HVAC. Does it look blocked off on this car? Is it always? Looks like it's just paint in there. Here is a link to the high-res so you can get a closer look.

Before I answer the question, the interesting thing for me here is that after looking at so many pictures of #036 at C&C I have only now noticed that he's removed the windscreen wiper. It does give a bit of a smooth and clean look to the front of the car. I feel silly now for not spotting it sooner though.

The vent on the front panel is actually non-functional - just a styling element. I haven't managed to find the best photos to show this, but these from when I saw #068 in Monterey were the first two that popped into my mind. If you click on them they'll open a larger version. Look closely at the base of the windshield and all you will find are three small slits for moisture drainage. From the underside of the panel you can see there are no outlets to funnel air into the compartment below.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2705/4312301808_7df2a4a067_z.jpg?zz=1 (http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2705/4312301808_d93f4a3828_o.jpg)

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2687/4312302018_e7601ec36c_z.jpg?zz=1 (http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2687/4312302018_19e3e20e83_o.jpg)

Also, this shot that Flemke shared when they were testing pin stripe options shows that panel with the 'blade' removed and if you piece it all together I think it makes it clear there's no function to the vent.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/hurstg01/5958569417_68f0e76b5e_z.jpg

>8^)
ER

I was fortunate enough to attend the Houston car show and got an excellent look at #036. The owner was a true gentleman and incredibly nice to bring out this special car for everyone to see, and I think the crowd was respectful and polite and everyone had a good time.

The owner chatted with everyone there who had questions, and he seemed about as down-to-Earth as anyone with a $4 million dollar automobile could be. :smile: I asked him a few questions, and, of course, after I left I thought of a bunch more. He talked about how he likes to track some of his other cars, but it would be foolish to put the F1 on a track, because of the expense (of consumables), wear and tear and risk involved with such a valuable car. We both apparently like to drive at the same race track, MSR Houston, and he talked about a new track that just opened near New Orleans. He also talked about how some of the parts (rubber? Epoxy? I can't recall) wear out and get brittle if the car isn't used often. To me he didn't seem crazy about the MP4-12C, or what it stood for.

I don't have much more to report, just those bits and pieces, I was mostly just in awe of this incredible car. The presence of an F1 is unrivaled. I snapped some pictures, and tried to get some interesting perspectives despite the crowded and ugly shopping-center-car-show setting. This link (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thisisasummary/) will take you to my photostream so you can see the rest of my F1 images.

Question for you guys, what is the central air inlet in the small front panel (in my head I call this the "Kenwood Panel")? If I were to guess I would say it was for HVAC. Does it look blocked off on this car? Is it always? Looks like it's just paint in there. Here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thisisasummary/6917197440/sizes/o/in/photostream/) is a link to the high-res so you can get a closer look.

I grabbed those of flickr last night - they are great!

...The vent on the front panel is actually non-functional - just a styling element. I haven't managed to find the best photos to show this, but these from when I saw #068 in Monterey were the first two that popped into my mind. If you click on them they'll open a larger version. Look closely at the base of the windshield and all you will find are three small slits for moisture drainage. From the underside of the panel you can see there are no outlets to funnel air into the compartment below...


Also, this shot that Flemke shared when they were testing pin stripe options shows that panel with the 'blade' removed and if you piece it all together I think it makes it clear there's no function to the vent...

>8^)
ER

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

I do actually - the arm of the windscreen wiper is in the way of any airflow coming out of the back side of the vent.

Also looking at the shot of XP5 on its top speed run it appears to me that they taped over the opening along with the shut lines around that front panel and the sculpted cutouts for the front indicators. While this would have had an added effect of making the nose of the car slipperier I suspect this was done to keep air from getting into parts of the front bodywork where it might have not been desired.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/Peloton25/McLaren%20F1/920307as.jpg

>8^)
ER

Your evidence is very compelling. I must admit that I based my guess on looking at the unobstructed line from that vent to the roof scoop on 036. When you showed the pic of 040, I thought the wiper might be in the way, but I still wanted to pose the question.

I suppose you have another question you could add to the list for the next time you speak with GM or members of McLaren who are well versed on the F1.

EDIT: I searched the forum for aerodynamic pics/drawings that would show the airflow around the front of the car because I just can't accept that the slot in question isn't functional. I found this thread: McLaren F1 Radiator Air Flow (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=563962&highlight=aerodynamics) which had this picture:

It appears the area in question is called "hi-speed screen slot".


Greg A

That drawing came to mind as well and I planned to have a look later.

For sure it is from early in the development process as it still shows the Idling Air exits above the headlamps which disappeared from the F1's design by the time XP3 had been assembled. For this reason I wouldn't consider it a firm fact that everything depicted there was entirely representative of the airflow properties on the final production version.

I would definitely question whether the 'Hi Speed Screen Slot' is providing any significant benefit on production F1s as I still feel that the wiper arm is in the way of much of that airflow now. It also appears from the drawing that there was more of an angle to the blade in the plans than there ended up being on the final part which essentially sits flush with the hood and leads the air towards that area of the cowl that curves upwards to nearly 90°. Next time I see a car I'll definitely investigate it further and if I find someone to ask I'll do that as well as now I'm certainly interested.

Beyond that, does anyone have a production F1 and a wind tunnel handy for some quick smoke experiments? :D

>8^)
ER

FYI - Made this its own discussion as we were starting to stray into different topics that weren't entirely relevant to the American Fleet.

>8^)
ER

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.

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.

ARjmNmeI8Vs

x_LYfwIhh3A

>8^)
ER

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.

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

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.

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.