New McLaren Dealer in Auckland, New Zealand

[Paulthagerous]

So today was the opening of a new McLaren dealer some 500 miles from my house (the only one in New Zealand).

Inside they have a few display cars, including both F1 #018 and #049. (First public outing for 049 ever?)

Anyway, here are a few photos my brother took on his phone walking past. It was closed so from outside only, but more than doubles our known photos of #049!!!





Links for full size pics:

http://imageshack.us/a/img27/2659/l8xy.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img27/2659/l8xy.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img10/9351/2b63.jpg

[Peloton25]

I knew about the dealership opening, but not about what they'd be displaying - wow!

Originally Posted by Paulthagerous

(First public outing for 049 ever?)

Well with all the miles on the car, it would certainly seem it has had plenty of public outings - they have just sadly gone unrecorded or unnoticed.

I hope we get a chance to see the interior. I'm also pleased to see the car is still there as I had some concern with present values that it might have moved on.

>8^)
ER

[Paulthagerous]

Originally Posted by Peloton25

I knew about the dealership opening, but not about what they'd be displaying - wow!

Well with all the miles on the car, it would certainly seem it has had plenty of public outings - they have just sadly gone unrecorded or unnoticed.

I hope we get a chance to see the interior. I'm also pleased to see the car is still there as I had some concern with present values that it might have moved on.

>8^)
ER

Yeah, knew it was coming as my brother walks past it on his way to work. Still surprised by both being there

By 'Public Outing' I meant more than just usage - it obviously has been used - so maybe 'Public Event' would have been better.

As for 049 still being in the country, I doubt we will see it move away for a very long time. The family that own it have plenty of money and still own their solid and successful company, and it is an appreciating asset. They may be very private people, but they are genuine car nuts so I suspect it would take something big for them to part with it.

The owner of 018 is even richer and an ex racing driver, so doubt he will sell his either. Presumably you have some insight to this from the 20th anniversary rally Erik

[Paulthagerous]

News video from a local TV station, one thing that I didn't know is that NZ is getting 2 P1's - Wonder if they are going to the owners of the F1's? Surely having an F1 would secure a P1 if you wanted it....

http://www.3news.co.nz/McLaren-deale...3/Default.aspx

[Paulthagerous]

FYI - The F1's are in the Lexus showroom right next door - and a staff member told my brother the cars are leaving sometime on Wednesday. So not there long!

[carbuilder2002]

First time I have seen a tidy looking high visibility brake light on an F1, only others I have seen were the rather ugly looking first ones fitted to US cars

[Peloton25]

Jeff - do you have a visible example of this? To my knowledge the only change at the rear of the Ameritech F1 was the additional bumper to satisfy the 2.5mph crash regs.

>8^)
ER

[Peloton25]

New shot from taryncroucher on IG:



And bits of the interior from timonthyventura:



>8^)
ER

[Sami Aaltonen]

Pretty nice I have to say. 2 F1's with GTR/LM stuff and without. Love it.
Hope Stockholm's McLaren-Bentley Dealer would offer another change to see F1 when they get their P1 there.

I'm not right now my own computer; so don't know which one is the GTR/LM kit F1, but has it anything else added like exhaust system or LM spec engine setings or is it just got the GTR/LM bodywork?

[Peloton25]

The other car is 018 Sami - which as you'll probably know has the LM-spec engine fitted and the extra louvers over the front wheel arches.

>8^)
ER

[Sami Aaltonen]

Originally Posted by Peloton25

The other car is 018 Sami - which as you'll probably know has the LM-spec engine fitted and the extra louvers over the front wheel arches.

>8^)
ER

OK thanks. Ouh it was the car what I thought didn't dared to say it. Thats why had to check that.

[carbuilder2002]

I don't actually have any pictures but am sure I recall seeing a box like rear brake light mounted on the rear deck just behind the engine cover your best bet would be a search for Ameritech

[Peloton25]

In all the photos I have of the Ameritech cars there is no evidence they made any consideration for adding a CHMSL.

>8^)
ER

[Sauc3]

Amazing how the internet works. Less than 16 hours of finding out about these two in Auckland thanks to Erik and here I stand:


I'll try and get sets of pictures of both cars up later tonight.

[Peloton25]

Originally Posted by Sauc3

Amazing how the internet works. Less than 16 hours of finding out about these two in Auckland thanks to Erik and here I stand...

I am glad to know my rebroadcasting of the news was able to benefit at least one person.

Really Paul deserves most of the thanks, of course. I knew the dealer was opening but really didn't expect a display like that. Especially with 049 coming all the way up from Porirua!

Looking forward to photos from both of you, and hopefully a few more from the web if we are lucky.

>8^)
ER