Brings a tear to the eye - a burnt-out McLaren F1
The McLaren F1 is certainly a car designed to burn up the road. But for one poor owner that became a literal nightmare as his £1.75 million McLaren F1 burnt out on a drive to the airport in Rincon Valley, California.
McLaren owner Irv Kessler hadn’t used the F1 for 6 months, but he probably wishes he hadn’t yesterday either. Smoke began billowing from the back of the F1, and by the time Irv get himself out of the McLaren (not always easy as the drivers seat is in the middle) flames were starting to engulf the car. The Rincon Valley Fire Brigade came to the rescue, but not before the back end of the car was wrecked.
Actually, this scenario is not unknown with McLaren F1, although this is an extreme case. We know of one McLaren F1, owned at the time by a UK Ferrari dealer, which was taken for a test drive by the prospective new owner. Exactly the same thing happened to him, and that car hadn’t been driven in anger for six months either. It seems that after a period of being idle the manifolds on the F1 are prone to overheating, and a dose of enthusiastic driving is enough to cause extreme overheating of the manifolds. Best case scenario is a lot of smoke and an expensive fix. Worst case scenario is Irv’s!
Irv told the fire crew that the car was worth $2 million, but was insured for $3 million. Something tells me his insurance company might take the lower figure in any settlement!
Never mind, Irv. You can always put your name down for the new McLaren F1.
McLaren F1 Photo Gallery
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(28 photos – click any thumbnail for full gallery)
Source: Press Democrat
Ian says
I know the subject, mate. I was in the Park Lane showroom in London. It was overpriced from my point of view that time. The car was #065. It appeared to be very good long term investment. But I thought that there was no chance to sell it for that money. I had F40 that time. Now I have red F60. I know somebody pampering F1. Not a problem for me to see and to drive it in a weekend.
Alex says
No such thing as an F60, but nice try, Ian.
Ian says
That’s not an everyday car. Mind, you need to clamber to the driver’s seat every time. Manifolds have nothing to do with that fire. Most probably it was petrol leakage, typical to brits cars.
Dave says
In what world are British cars prone to fuel leaks? And in what world is a McLaren F1 typical to anything? You’ve never even been near a McLaren F1, have you, Ian?
Nick says
dumbass. If I had an F1 I’d take it everywhere I go. Even if I didn’t I wouldn’t let it rot for more than 2 or 3 days at a time. 6 months?!?! C’mon chap. Don’t buy the car if you dont even like it.