At some point, many of us have fantasized about owning a budget-friendly McLaren. Whether it’s a desire to create a time attack car or a need for an affordable commuter vehicle that won’t deteriorate, the reasons for wanting a McLaren are valid. While this particular model may not be cheap, this MP4-12C rolling chassis could potentially be transformed into nearly any vehicle one might envision.
Priced at $79,900, this chassis isn’t exactly an easy purchase for many, particularly for those in the working class. However, it presents an exciting opportunity for a committed private racing team looking to develop a specialized race car.
The chassis is listed for sale by Lake Forest Sportscars, a dealer located in Illinois. Their advertisement highlights that only 35 chassis were made available to the initial vendors of McLaren’s first new road car in nearly two decades. This particular chassis is likely one of the very few to be offered to private collectors or those with unique project ideas in mind.
It’s important to note that the chassis is missing its fluids and wiring, so any potential buyer will need to source these from McLaren or salvage them from a damaged MP4-12C. Additionally, due to the age of the tires, which may be merely plastic display replicas, replacements would be necessary if the buyer intends to put the car on the road.
For those considering how to utilize this chassis, there are some intriguing possibilities. One Reddit user noted that the wheelbase resembles that of a Volvo 850 wagon, suggesting it could become a stunning sleeper car. Additionally, aftermarket enhancement firms like HyperCar Development could potentially boost the McLaren M838T engine’s performance to an astonishing 1,200 horsepower with a tri-turbo setup.
Alternatively, one could opt for a more unconventional sleeper. Imagine placing a Pontiac Fiero body on this chassis and allowing a less-than-exceptional body shop to craft it into a poorly executed Ferrari kit car. Such an approach would present a façade of an average vehicle trying to convey affluence, all while the true supercar remains hidden beneath.
However, this concept might be too avant-garde for some tastes, so choosing the Volvo alternative might be the safer bet. After all, it’s likely less embarrassing to be seen driving a Volvo than a makeshift Ferrari kit car.
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