ArytonS

I've heard rumors (no idea if true) - that on the 5 McLaren LM cars, offers were repeatedly turned down for $25M. This was in 2012 when I was working at the factory.

There's a batch of 1980's F1 cars that were sold, a 1987 TAG car was up for auction recently at Gooding, but for the most part Ron doesn't like to part ways with the F1 cars. (1) 1987 Prost TAG/McLaren MP4/3: http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1987-mcla...mp43-formula-1/ Most years have 4 chassis, newer years only 2. To get an idea of the quantify of parts made for the F1 program, take a look inside the waste-bins outside the machine shops, its literally tons of Aluminium shavings generated weekly. An unspoken collector also has one of the original MP4/4 (1988 Senna Prost Chassis that is the winngest-F1 car in history). The MP4/4 displayed in the MTC is not an actual racing chassis, but rather an MP4/4 development chassis as can be recognized by its analog tachometer rather than the race-spec digital display. The facility is awesome, even the food is really good.

The factory is cool and all but make sure you see the proper stuff: (1) The old F1 cars (Typically 4-6 chassis) are kept in a separate storage warehouse and all are covered up, but its still cool to see. (2) MSO is where the current McLaren F1 repairs go on, and all special customization/construction work goes on. Its the original McLaren roadcars building and they have all the cool inventory. (3) The F1 facility is awesome and there's an underground with the major machine-shops and final assembly occurs. Go see some of this stuff being made and prototyped, there's no reason to block it off. (4) Also ask to see the design studio (5) If you want to see the F1 drivers, go to the gym, otherwise they generally avoid perusing through the building in public view The cafeteria is also really good surprisingly, but lunch happens in shifts between the F1 team and Road-Car team. Go sit with the F1 guys, they're a fascinating bunch. - Chris

512TR

I believe that circuit is Spa where the test was conducted.

Are those pilot cup sports? Barely seeing a groove in the tire there. This thing looks amazing, can't wait to pick one up.

You've clearly never worked at an exotic sports car company. (1) Macca has had two bosses - Mike Flewitt and Anthony Sheriff. I don't think reasons are clear for the change even internally. (2) Resale is absolutely not the first goal. The goal of the MP4 was to sell vehicles. No one cares about resale if you don't make enough money. Furthermore, its much more pertinent to the US market where no-one actually drives their cars, unlike the EU where 458's and MP4's both depreciate equally. (3) Lets compare the MP4 to the Gallardo platform as a sales success - the Gallardo had the longest life-cycle of any exotic product - 10 years since introduction and sales would've been completely off the map had it not been for a late introduction into China. Where the MP4 delivers above and beyond other 'upstart' entrants is in actual customer satisfaction (e.g. people who did buy the cars love them), and in dealer experiences.

Stop whining about Photos and go see the car - you could get better photos than my Iphone takes on the internet.

Stunning would be the understatement of the century. In person, its simply extraordinary.

I've seen both extensively. The detail on the Huayra is insane - literally the hub bearing carriers must be artistically accepted by Horacio. .....but I actually don't care. If I wanted an art project, I'd buy an art project. The P1 has a much better singularity of purpose and focus, which gives it an art all its own. Furthermore, its the least constrained by former design language - the Huayra has funny bugeye headlights, the ThethetheFerrari looks LaSupedUp 458, and the 918 looks like a great evolution of the Carrera GT. Everytime I look at the Huayra I like it less - the opposite is true for most on the P1. Of course its all a moot point since I'm not a customer for these cars yet, but P1 for me.

Funny having the MP4 so close makes the Bug look really really fat....

There's no way the lambo V12 and McLaren 12C powerplant are within 35kg....

Call Allessandro at McLaren SF - a truly stand up guy.

Ferrari is not sold out. According to the McLaren dealer, McLaren has already sold over 300 cars. People find a brand they like and often just worship - Ferrari clearly has more than McLaren.

I cannot tell you how I know this, but its true, and Nring times are simply unbelievable for a road car.

That does suck massively - however it doesn't look like the guy is speeding or wrecklessly driving. Just looks like he prodded the gas slightly too much and had no idea what he was getting himself into.

I've seen the car in the flesh. No photos do it justice. The word 'stunning' just doesn't do the car justice.

I love the 80's-ness of your cars. Your just missing a TR, DeLorean, and an IROC Z to complete an awesome collection.

Get one - they're cheap and genuine fun. You can beat the ever living hell out of them without any complaints.

I wouldn't be too proud of the crappy welds in photo 1. Looks like a P-Car/BMW from the looks of the struts and wheels. Chris

Simply amazing. Amazing work from SP and an indicator into the build quality of other Nissan components. Not to be pedantic here, but the F1 comparison is still irrelevant, 9 seconds at WOT and 2 hours at WOT are completely different abuse schedules. Chris

Random last minute question - I am in Bologna for tomorrow only with some free time. I wanted to see if I could take a factory tour, but am not an owner, and want to do it very last minute - is there any hope?

Hope its not a repost, but great Clarkson article. http://www.topgear.com/uk/jeremy-clarkson/...cars-2011-10-04

Your car or Alex's? Regardless, it looks absolutely awesome. There is still nothing as striking on the road when you see a Diablo, Countach, or Miura. Somehow, while the newer Lambos don't exactly blend in, they don't create the same sense of awe the older cars do - even if you have to sacrifice some speed.

You've mentioned it before. Get a Countach - late 80's QV, carb car. There will always be newer and better, but having an absolutely pristine countach that someone actually drives on the street will transport you to infinite coolness. Most new supercars only serve to highlight the middle-aged deuchebag inside (e.g. most new owners buy them and then wear new supercars as fashion items rather than driving the balls off them). Besides - new supercars are slower than the hyper-sports-cars (e.g. ZR-1, Skyline, etc) anyways. Be a connoisseur, get a Countach.