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Question on McLaren M26 front wing - M26 development history late 1976


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#1 toomanycars

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Posted 24 May 2024 - 14:55

Hello All

 

 A 1st time poster here, so forgive any errors, and formatting Faux-pas!

 

I have in my possession a full-width front wing with  signwritten "Marlboro" script - together with a COA stating it it's off of James Hunt's M26, as used in the early testing development of the car. The Wing shows obvious signs of adaptation, wear and general use.

 

From from my research since I obtained it, I seem to have found out the following.....

 

In late 1976 McLaren  experimented with a full-width front wing on the M26; it was tested at Paul Ricard by James Hunt in November, and again by Hunt against the M23 of Jochen Mass at Silverstone sometime (Later) in the month.

 

The results seem to have been that the M26 was no faster than the old M23 with the conventional split wing, so it was rejected, and they went back to the Split wing, and with it the front oil cooler.

 

So far, I've only found 2 images of the Paul Ricard testing session,  and 1 French magazine article pertaining to this little episode. I'll try and post all the images below - i hope the paste up so they are visible.

 

I've yet to find an image of the "Marlboro" script wing on the car; Obviously, this is my ultimate aim, or to find someone who remembers something about this time at McLaren, and the wing.

 

Any help gratefully received!

 

Cheers to all

 

Chris - NZ


Edited by toomanycars, 24 May 2024 - 15:09.


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#2 toomanycars

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Posted 24 May 2024 - 15:07

JH-Wing-P-Ricard-Nov-1976.jpg



#3 toomanycars

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Posted 24 May 2024 - 15:08

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#4 toomanycars

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Posted 24 May 2024 - 15:12

James-Hunt-Maclaren-M26-Expremental-fron



#5 toomanycars

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Posted 24 May 2024 - 15:20

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#6 toomanycars

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Posted 24 May 2024 - 15:21

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#7 toomanycars

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Posted 24 May 2024 - 15:23

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