McLaren F1 Team Builds Modified ’Cuda with Help from eBay
Here’s a project we didn’t expect: The McLaren Formula 1 Team worked with eBay to modify a 1973 Plymouth Barracuda to honor the team’s success this season, particularly in the United States, where it picked up a win in Miami earlier this year. The customized pony car is currently at Circuit of the Americas, awaiting its final fan-chosen modifications ahead of the US Grand Prix.
Chris Prill, eBay’s General Manager, said he leveraged his company’s deep reach in the automotive aftermarket to select the right combination of parts for the car. “eBay and the McLaren Formula 1 Team share an important commonality—we’re built on thriving enthusiast communities whose passions are cars and motorsport,” said Prill.
Before
The McLaren Formula 1 Team came up with the car’s design and performance goals, and eBay found the right mix of new and classic parts to reach the result you see here. While there are a few final accessories that fans will choose at COTA, the car, which started in nearly stock condition, is all but wrapped up. Its list of upgrades includes a QA1 coilover conversion suspension system, a Wilwood Dynalite brake system with forged calipers, and gasses exit the 340 small-block V-8 via a set of Doug’s headers followed by Pypes exhaust. The new suspension and brakes are kept under wraps with a set of muscle-car-appropriate 15-inch American Racing Torque Thrust D wheels and Cooper Cobra Radial GT tires. Of course, the papaya orange paint will be a major clue that there’s something special about this car.
After
Matt Dennington, Co-Chief Commercial Officer of McLaren Racing, said, “We’re excited to have been working with eBay to bring this modified vehicle to life ahead of the United States Grand Prix this weekend, and we look forward to sharing the experience with our fans on the ground in Austin and across the world as we return to the U.S.” Fans will be able to see the final touches get added to the car at COTA at the eBay x McLaren F1 Team Garage in the Fan Field of the US Grand Prix, and the car will be on display all weekend long.
I’m sorry, but I like the before much better. The only thing I’d change on it was to repaint the orange accents and use the wheel and tire combo of the after version.
Yea I don’t get it. As a promotional exercise for eBay okay. But when I’m thinking Cuda I’m not thinking McLaren, F-1, or anything of the sort. From the pictures shown it seems obvious that the car wasn’t completed in McLarens beautiful tech/production center in the UK. ( not that you’d really think it would be ) McLaren – ” came up with the cars design and performance goals “- sounds a bit vague. You can imagine there actual participation being limited and the work real probably subbed out. It’s a nicely done custom but there’s no common thread that makes sense to me.
I generally prefer cars to be stock or nearly so, but I must admit this car was done tastefully.
You would think they might mention the shop and crew that made the mods and finished installing the fan chosen parts at the track. Alex Taylor Racing , Hot Rods by Dennis Taylor and all the family. GREAT JOB!
I don’t see much McLaren in it but it is a nicely done car either way.
Nice car, but the original version seems better.
The original paint/graphics looked so much better. Minus the orange accents.
Definitely before.
As a E-Body guy.. they did misjustus to the original car…they should have shown how a restoration should be done, rather they some hack job… these cars are hard enough to find is some sort of reasonable state.