McLaren's Park Lane showroom in London closes up shop...

[Peloton25]

I just received an early report through a friend that suggests that McLaren has abandoned the Park Lane showroom in London.

He had messaged me earlier in the week, knowing about my interest in the F1, as he was trying to get the exact address so his parents could stop by to see the car. They had been there several years back, but were a little unsure of its location on their return trip.

I provided the address, as well as the relevant info about XP5 being displayed there. Today he responded with this bit of info:

"My dad went by the McLaren showroom this morning. It is closed now and the showroom is empty. So unfortunately, I will have no pictures of the 'XP5'. Thanks for providing me with the showroom and car information."

I asked him to confirm that they had vacated it and he said he will confirm with his dad to be sure. It sounds to me like it is closed for good. I'll provide an update once he gets back to me.

Hopefully this means that the McLaren Museum at the Paragon/McLaren Tech Center will be opening soon.

>8^)
ER

[mini magic]

for the showroom

for the museum. I wonder if it will be ready by July...

[Peloton25]

Well, unfortunately for anyone planning a visit, the news just became official:

"Ok,
He said that the building was completely empty. There was no sign, no desk, nothing. The only way he knew he was at the right building was because of the address and exterior picture. It is unfortunate, and I am glad I made it there while it was open in the past. Anyway, thanks again for your help."

>8^)
ER

[mini magic]

it would be awesome to have one of the big signs up on my wall . The door handle was cool too, it was the F1 logo...

[Peloton25]

Maybe someone will auction it on Ebay.

>8^)
ER

[McLaren F1 Guy]

That sucks! My friend was just in London but he's not a automotive fanatic and he never walked past it so he couldn't confirm if it was really closed or if you guys are trying to pull an april fools joke, but I doubt that you are.

[Peloton25]

Not an April Fool's joke - I promise. I posted this on 3/31 which would have been a day early for that.

Referencing my other thread: Apparently some people don't understand that you can't start an April Fool's joke on the day before April 1st.

Besides, what would be funny about this?

Anyway- here's a cool photo I put in a similar thread on SC.net. It shows the "F1" logo door handle. I like the photo because it's not what you normally see from people who go there to take pictures. You can click on it for a larger version.



>8^)
ER

[Stratoraptor]

that door handle is really cool. knowing how fanaticaly some McLaren followers might get, one of them walking by would have probably stolen it already

[tvrfreak]

Uh, it was already April 1st in some parts of the country when the post was spotted. Although not funny, it could easily have been a hoax.

Whatever. So, it's true? AF is going away? Can you confirm?

[Peloton25]

Yeah - it ended up being an April Fool's hoax - and not even a funny one in my mind, but oh well...

I found out that the poster "Oz" is from Australia, so being that he's on the other side of the International Date Line when he posted the thread is was already 4/01. For most of the people here there was still a lot of 3/31 left. I ended up deleting my doomsday thread to avoid further confusion about it.

>8^)
ER

P.S.: Have a good time at the Grand Prix!

[mini magic]

Phew

Have fun at the Grand Prix man

[Peloton25]

Here's an interesting photo:



>8^)
ER

[tvrfreak]

Bit sad. Some filler, paint, a quick powerwash, and it will be as if it never existed! A few months ago I ran into a Saudi guy whose family owned the building for a while. He was not into cars much, but he did remember the silver car and the showroom vividly.

[McLaren F1 Guy]

It will be missed. There were probably some poor kids who were planning to see it.

[Peloton25]

The photographer who took that shot was headed to London just 5 days after I announced the showroom had closed. He was extremely disappointed when I posted the news. He still came back with a pretty cool shot I think. He also said the building was dark and empty just as I reported earlier.

I'm kind of disappointed that I never had the opportunity to go before it closed. I decided last year that instead of going to see the showroom, I would wait for the museum to open since that's really my only reason to make the long trip. Hopefully when the museum is open there will also be provisions for some kind of tour of the McLaren Technology Center as well. It sounds like the musuem will not be housed in the main building though, so maybe that will still be off limits.

>8^)
ER