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Amidst all of the buzz surrounding the hit British TV show, Top Gear, here’s more news: This awesome McLaren F1 GTR Longtail, which was once sponsored by the show, is for sale.
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While any McLaren F1 GTR is a rare find, this one is even more special. In 1997, the BPR Global GT Endurance Series (the principle series that the F1 GTR competed in), became the FIA GT Championship. As a result of rule changes coming into the new season, McLaren was required to make drastic changes to the F1 GTR in order to remain competitive. The most visually obvious of these was the car’s longer rear section, reworked nose, and wider bodywork that allowed the GTR to produce levels of downforce comparable to its new-for-’97 competition.
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It was still powered by the awesome 600-hp BMW V-12, but the motor was now destroked to 6.0 liters from 6.1 liters in order to increase its lifespan. Only 10 F1 GTR “Longtail” cars were built, however for homologation purposes there were a handful of road-going McLaren F1s built with the Longtail bodywork, which are, of course, equally rare.
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This F1 GTR was the 10th and final F1 GTR built for competition in FIA GT racing. According to Top Gear, the magazine sponsored this car during its 1997 season debut, which is evident by the car’s sticker package. Later, the car was sold off and switched hands a number of times (it went for $13 million at auction in 2012), garnering a pricey mechanical overhaul along the way. This glorious machine has found itself for sale once again; however this time McLaren is brokering the deal. Little is known in regards to the seller or the buyer. We do know that if the buyer is interested, McLaren can make this F1 road legal, but the cost might be equal to a P1 or two.
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