McLaren F1
source: Wikimedia
The McLaren F1 is not only one of the coolest cars of the 1990s, but one of the coolest cars ever. It is legendary thanks to its styling and reputation as the fastest of all productions cars at the time of its making. Even with numerous additions to the class since the F1, many consider this to be the best supercar.
The F1 began with a decision in 1988 to design then build the “finest” road car worldwide. It then took the engineers at McLaren four years to plan, design, and finally build the F1. Not only did the F1 break records in the ’90s, it still holds the title of fastest road car ever with a naturally aspirated engine. There were only 106 autos produced. So, finding a McLaren F1 today is certainly a challenge and only for those with deep pocketbooks.
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The design behind the F1 was the result of 20 years of work by Gordon Murray, the chief designer behind the project. He had begun a one-plus-two seater design back in 1969. The engineering team to produce the F1 was handpicked and worked to reduce drag, increase downforce, and strip weight. Every adjustment was made to deliver thrills. That record-setting 6.1-liter V12 powertrain had the best output for its size, more than 620 bhp. To make sure the engine bay could handle this heat, it was lined with pure gold, the best heat reflector.
To make the McLaren F1 even more amazing, the team spent more than 3,000 hours on every single carbon-fiber chassis. The throttle pedal alone had six separate titanium pieces. You will notice handmade instrument panels, which were then hand painted and had individually machined needles. Every cabin was customized completely to the owner. With a 0.32 drag coefficient, the F1 is among the most aerodynamic sports cars. McLaren has actually brought the F1 back for another generation.
