5 replies to this topic

[willga]

I am restoring the bodywork of a 1968 McLaren M4 single-seater, and I was hoping to pick someone's brains over the finer details...

In particular, if anyone knows what sort of bolts were used to fix the acrylic screen to the body?
All the period photos I have seen are of quite poor resolution and varying focus, but it looks like McLaren used stainless mushroom-head hex socket screws, at least on the M7 Grand Prix cars, where other teams used slotted mushroom head screws, and even modified file screws (Lotus XI?). I've also seen some pictures of an M7 or maybe an M10 with what looks like the nyloc nuts on the outside.
I know it's a minute detail, but it would end up irritating me if it was wrong.

Also, 60's McLaren's screens often appeared to be tinted - particularly green on the M7s. I've seen one or two photos of the works M4s with a blue screen, but the colour reproduction's pretty unreliable. Is anyone able to elaborate?

Slightly bizarre request, but I guessed if anyone knew, there's a good chance they'd read TNF.
Thanks a lot.

[Paul Rochdale]

http://www.thebrucem...ay/watson/5.htm

Any help?

[Doug Nye]

M4 owner and former long-term McLaren engineer Leo Wybrott is surely the chap to ask. I will happily pass the question on to him.

DCN

[monoposto]

There is a front-on b&w photo of Bruce in a M4 in "The Bruce McLaren Scrapbook" with what looks like internally-hexed dome headed screws attaching the screen. They don't appear to be flush fitting to the screen so perhaps that fits your description of mushroom headed. I cannot say if they are stainless steel but they are fairly "bright" in contrast to the bodywork and screen.

The screen itself looks to be tinted and has tank tape across the upper area in front of the driver with what looks like an extra upper portion tacked on, which perhaps indicates mods during an early test session. The car carries race number 11, but no nose badge.

There are at least 4 screws coming forward from the rear of the screen, at least 3 in the curve to the front and forward of the mirrors, and 3 across the front.

[EDWARD FITZGERALD]

There is a front-on b&w photo of Bruce in a M4 in "The Bruce McLaren Scrapbook" with what looks like internally-hexed dome headed screws attaching the screen. They don't appear to be flush fitting to the screen so perhaps that fits your description of mushroom headed. I cannot say if they are stainless steel but they are fairly "bright" in contrast to the bodywork and screen.

The screen itself looks to be tinted and has tank tape across the upper area in front of the driver with what looks like an extra upper portion tacked on, which perhaps indicates mods during an early test session. The car carries race number 11, but no nose badge.

There are at least 4 screws coming forward from the rear of the screen, at least 3 in the curve to the front and forward of the mirrors, and 3 across the front.

IIRC , pic om a MOTORSPORT front cover , March or April 68

[willga]

Great.

Thank you very much Paul, Doug, monoposto, and Edward.

I think I found that photo of Bruce in the V8 M4, and also looking at the ex-Gethin M10 at the Autosport International - stainless hex-drive mushroom-heads it is then.