Rare Race-Spec McLaren F1 GTR Long Tail Found on Sale

One of only ten 1997 McLaren F1 GTR Long Tail race cars has turned up on the Japanese market. We have the details inside.

By: Motor1.com Team

Jun 16, 2009 at 3:49pm ET

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To those of you wanting to own your own McLaren F1 GTR Long Tail, now is your chance. Only 28 of the 100 McLaren F1 cars were built for racing in either the FIA GT series or the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Of those 28, only ten were stretched into the 1997-spec "Long Tail" model seen here.

One of those ten has hit the market in Japan. Formerly owned by Gulf Team Davidoff, the F1 GTR with chassis number 28R was raced in the 1997 FIA GT Championship series. The car's best races included sixth place finishes in both Suzuka and Laguna Seca, with three other top ten finishes during that season. It served as a mid-season replacement for car #25R, which caught fire during the '97 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Despite an elongated nose, larger tale, and bigger rear wing, the car shaved 75kg off the 1996 model weight, to bring the total to 915kg. Powered by a 900 horsepower V12 from BMW Motorsports, the car is still wearing its full Gulf Livery. It is believed to be on sale now at the Bingo Sports dealership of Tokyo and Nagoya, Japan.