McLaren has produced only five copies of the powerful F1 LM model and a prototype, which makes it an extremely rare car. In this case we can easily understand that this also means it is an expensive car. However, an enthusiast from South Africa decided to make a copy for himself.
The McLaren F1 LM was a series of five special vehicles built in honor of the five McLaren F1 GTRs that completed the 24 Hour Le Mans race in 1995. It has different aerodynamics, no air conditioning and no internal sound insulation. Visually, perhaps the biggest difference between the standard F1 model and the F1 LM model is in the active spoiler and rear spoiler significantly larger than the CFRP.
Of course, McLaren has never made public the plans and diagrams of the F1 LM model, but that does not mean that it is impossible to make a copy, as witnessed by Danie Brough from South Africa. He realized his dream in a project that started 23 years ago and that finally ended.
It is an orange copy of the McLaren F1 LM Papaya, which was created based on the dimensions taken from the smaller photos and models.
“Everything you see in the car, I did myself. The exception is BMW’s twin-turbo V12 engine paired with Audi’s 6-speed manual transmission. “The project required years of research, photo viewing and size,” said Brough.
Aluminum, carbon fiber and plexiglass were used in the construction of the body, while a combination of aluminum and carbon fiber was used in the construction of the chassis.
The original car weighs 1140 kg and the copy 1180 kg. The aforementioned BMW twin-turbo V12 engine develops 650 horsepower.
