M81 McLaren Mustang Prototype Heads to Auction as One of Just 10 Built
Ultra-rare M81 McLaren Mustang has just 556 miles on the clock, but it remains to be seen just what it will command at auction.
These days, when people think of McLaren, they think of the British company that makes some super expensive, incredibly fast exotic cars, or one of a small handful of outfits that competes in Formula 1 racing. However, McLaren also made some pretty awesome, souped-up Ford Mustangs back in the 1980s, all done in partnership with Ford’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) unit. After building a single race car, McLaren teamed up with Ford to make a road-going version of its pony car. The two companies planned for a 250-unit production run, but only wound up building 10 – and this M81 McLaren Mustang prototype, set to be auctioned at Mecum’s upcoming Indianapolis sale – is one of them.
An original M81 McLaren Mustang prototype, this amazing find has just 556 miles on the clock, and is in stunning, like-new condition as a result. After building the racing version that competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, McLaren and SVO followed up with a heavily-modified Fox Body for the street, which was upgraded in every conceivable way.
The bodywork is the first thing anyone will notice about these McLaren Mustangs, because it’s completely different from what we’ve come to expect from an OEM 1980 model. While it still looks like a Fox, the M81 is equipped with an array of modified pieces that help it stand on its own in terms of styling, a look that simply screams ’80s.
McLaren also addressed the Mustang’s mechanicals, giving it Koni shocks and stabilizer bars to beef up handling before turning to – interestingly enough – Ford’s 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant, rather than the trusty old 5.0-liter V8. McLaren proceeded to take that engine and blueprint, polish, de-burr, and reassemble it, which raised output from 132 horsepower to 175 ponies – though two of these cars were equipped with a boost controller that could give it as much has 190 horsepower.
Though it’s one of the rarest Mustangs ever and has incredibly low mileage, it’s difficult to say just how much this M81 McLaren Mustang will ultimately sell for. On the rare occasion one pops up for sale, none have commanded more than $40k at auction in recent years, though this one has an auction estimate of $75k-$100k. Given the state of the collector car market today, it wouldn’t surprise us if it does in fact meet or exceed those numbers, however.
Photos: Mecum Auctions
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