The rumour on the grapevine this morning is that Radio 2 man and Ferrari nut, Chris Evans, has traded a Ferrari to buy a McLaren F1
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But the word on the grapevine this morning is that Chris has chopped in a Ferrari – and we don’t know which of his Ferraris – to buy one of the 64 McLaren F1 supercars in existence.
If he has, and we’re digging for confirmation, then he’s obviously been listening to the advice a number of experts at the top end of the classic car world who believe the ‘next’ Ferrari 250 GTO (a car Chris owns) will be the McLaren F1.
The Ferrari 250 GTO is the most desirable of classic Ferraris. From an asking price when new of only £6,000 in the 1960s, you’d be hard-pushed to get one now for under £20 million. Experts believe the McLaren F1 is heading in the same direction.
In the last few years the asking price for a decent McLaren F1 – the standard road car, not the really rare F1 LM or a converted GTR – has more than doubled to the point where you’ll now probably need to pay in excess of £4 million for a good one.
If the rumour is true, Chris will join a select band of UK McLaren F1 owners, including Rowan Atkinson, Gordon Murray and, of course, Ron Dennis.
Peloton25 says
Strong suspicions are that he has purchased chassis #012 – a Dark Silver F1 road car with the standard bodywork that was for many years kept in storage in Japan. The car resurfaced at a dealer in Switzerland in September 2011 and was not immediately snatched up. It then passed through the hands of a different Swiss broker who also happens to be an F1 owner, and rumor is that it may have been sold to Chris.
>8^)
Erik
Cars UK says
Pretty much what we heard in September. As it’s not been seen yet we’re guessing it’s at Woking getting a fettling. It seems it came via SK, but did Chris also punt out his 250 GTO to do it? We know SK is keen to point out the F1 could end up where the 250 GTO is in investment terms – perhaps Chris took his advice?
Peloton25 says
I know SK quite well – spent more than a day inside his F1 during the Italian Tour – but I try not to pry into his business deals as client confidentiality is often paramount in his line of work. If he tells me something I am grateful but he hasn’t shared anything in regards to this transaction.
My info comes second hand through a couple of other sources and I have not heard what, if anything, Chris may have traded to get into the F1. I do think he has it though with a high level of confidence and you could be right that Woking might be putting some time into the car. I know when it arrived in Switzerland it had not been looked after the way it should have been for quite a long time. Not a Brunei basket case, but not fresh and ready either. If he’s decided on personalization in the form of paint and interior changes they might have it a while, but as it was still in its original, as-delivered spec that would be a mistake in my option.
>8^)
Erik
Cars UK says
We weren’t trying to put words in to your mouth – the info was what we heard when we ran the story.
If the 250 GTO is anything to go by the F1 will doubtless get the new tanks, full fettling, new paint and new interior, but we’d guess it will be an original McLaren colour rather than anything else.
Peloton25 says
That’s fine – I was just filling in some details.
I do hope he leaves the car alone as seeing #012’s appearance in a Best Motoring video back in late 1994 was perhaps the first moment when I originally became captivated with the F1 so this car holds a special place in my heart.
I didn’t understand a word of it at the time – still don’t really – but this video certainly helped to ignite my passion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5kyUB_QjcU
>8^)
Erik
Peloton25 says
Just to tie up a loose end here – Evans didn’t choose to keep the car and it has already been sold again. Maybe he will get another one?
>8^)
Erik
Cars UK says
Not only that, but it’s back up for sale again! As far as we know, Chris has now grabbed himself an F1.
Peloton25 says
Oh, to have these sorts of problems. 😉
>8^)
Erik