This deconstructed McLaren F1 is a unique sight

Up on jacks it sits, in a comprehensive state of disassembly. It goes without its wheels and indeed any bodywork forward of the windscreen and doors, with air channels, the enormous radiators, and the in-board suspension in full view. Moving down the sides, the covers for what would on the road car be the luggage holds ahead of the rear wheels are off. These reveal various ancillary containers moved lower down into the luggage compartments, which are redundant in the racer. 

Out back the rear bumper is off, exposing swathes of carbon fibre, a titanium latticework of chassis reinforcement and the billowing tubing of that iconic quad exhaust. Low down you can spy the far-reaching wishbones which connect to the subframe.

So If you’re the owner of a McLaren F1 in need of some TLC and are considering sending it to Lanzante, this should give you some reassurance of their expertise. You know, besides the Le Mans win and the incomparable pedigree and history with the F1 and indeed modern ‘Ultimate Series’ McLarens. What a rare opportunity to learn the secrets of the world’s greatest supercar, even if we don’t fully understand what we’re looking at…

Photography by Pete Summers.