Revolutionizing Roads: The Untold Story of McLaren M12 Coupe's Pioneering Journey

ONE-OFF - In the ever-evolving realm of high-performance cars, McLaren's influence extends to being a renowned racing car maker in Formula-1 events. This, in turn, ignited the automaker's interest in crafting road-legal sports cars. Officially materializing in the early 1990s, it culminated with the launch of the McLaren F1—their inaugural production car. 

The 1969 McLaren M12 Coupe #60-14 was initially conceived as a purpose-built race car, featuring a meticulously crafted engine bay designed to house the potent Chevrolet Big Block V8. (Picture from: Carscoops)

Yet, long before this milestone, around the late 1960s, there existed a lesser-known pioneer: the McLaren M6GT. Proudly asserting itself as McLaren's first unofficial road-legal sports car, the M6GT carved out its own legacy in the brand's storied history. As we journey into the past, the McLaren M6GT, born from the M6A Can-Am car, is acknowledged as McLaren's initial venture into road-legal cars, with three units crafted in collaboration with partner Trojan Cars. 

The McLaren M12 Coupe #60-14 is an extremely rare sight, especially since original M12s were Spyders and this was converted into a coupe, in the late 1970s. (Picture from: CarBuzz)

Continuing this unofficial road car odyssey, the narrative unfolds with the introduction of the 1969 McLaren M12 Coupe—a compelling episode in the story of this esteemed British manufacturer. Derived from the M12 Can Ams, the McLaren M12 Coupe was initially conceived as a purpose-built race car, featuring a meticulously crafted engine bay designed to house the potent Chevrolet Big Block V8. 

The 1969 McLaren M12 Coupe #60-14 stands as the sole exemplar of its kind, proudly showcasing the distinctive Big Block. (Picture from: CarBuzz)

Manufactured during the 1969-70 season, approximately four of these remarkable vehicles rolled off the assembly line. While they all began as roofless sportscars, at least one underwent a transformation into a coupe. Notably, M12-specific number 60-14 stands out with the imposing presence of a Big Block Chevy V8 positioned behind the driver.

The 1969 McLaren M12 Coupe #60-14 was spent a year in Carroll Shelby's workshops, existing as a bare rolling chassis. (Picture from: Carscoops)

The untimely demise of McLaren's visionary founder, Bruce McLaren, in 1970, altered the course of automotive history. In an alternate reality, the McLaren M12 GT might have graced public roads, challenging Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche for the title of contemporary supercar supremacy.

In 1990s, a Swiss enthusiasts undertook a bold mission to make the McLaren M12 Coupe #60-14 "street legal" in France. (Picture from: Carscoops)

Following Bruce McLaren's passing, M12 #60-14 spent a year in Carroll Shelby's workshops, existing as a bare rolling chassis. One previous owner boldly labeled it the "scariest bastard" he had ever encountered. Remarkably, in the 1990s, Swiss enthusiasts undertook a bold mission to make the M12 Coupe "street legal" in France, adding another layer to its storied history.

Today, the McLaren M12 Coupe #60-14 stands as the sole exemplar of its kind, proudly showcasing the distinctive Big Block. This exceptional vehicle has graced numerous concours events and served as a display car at the McLaren factory for several months—a living testament to its enduring allure and historical significance. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | SUPERCARWORLD | CARBUZZ | WIKIPEDIA ]

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