Casting : McLaren M6A
Years of Production:
1969 - 1970
Country of Origin:
US and Hong Kong
Casting Variations:
The base on the HK version has four rectangular holes
The vents on the front fenders are missing on the HK version
Interior and Glass Colors:
US
* Clear glass
* Black Interior
* Brown Interior Rare
Hong Kong
* Blue glass
* Black Interior
Paint Colors and Variations:
| Color | US | HK |
| Orange Enamel |
Less Common |
- |
| Aqua |
Common |
Less Common |
| Brown |
Common |
- |
| Blue |
Common |
Common |
| Light Blue |
Uncommon |
- |
| Antifreeze |
Common |
- |
| Lime Yellow | Hard to Find |
- |
| Yellow |
Hard to Find |
- |
| Green |
Common |
Common |
| Light Green |
Hard to Find |
- |
| Red |
Common | Common |
| Rose | Less Common |
- |
| Magenta | Hard to Find |
- |
| Olive |
Common | Rare |
| Orange |
Common | Hard to Find |
| Creamy Pink |
Rare | - |
| Enamel Red |
- | Rare |
| Enamel Green |
- | Rare |
Discussion:
The McLaren M6A was one of the eight new models released in 1969 as part of the new Grand Prix series.
McLaren M6A in Grand Prix Blister Pack
The Hot Wheels rendition of the McLaren M6a is based on the McLaren M6A which was a Group 7 prototype race car designed and developed
by the New Zealand born driver Bruce McLaren, and built by his Bruce McLaren Motor Racing team for their entry in 1967 Can-Am season.
At left, it's McLaren, Lola and Chaparral at the Stardust G.P.; at right Bruce McLaren in an M6A.
The real McLaren M6A was one of many great race cars designed, built and raced by Bruce McLaren in the 1960s. The M6A in particular enjoyed great success on the CanAm and
USRRC circuits in 1967. McLaren himself drove an M6A to the 1967 CanAm Championship, with Denny Hulme finishing 2nd in another M6A. In 1968, Mark Donohue won the
USRRC championship in a McLaren M6A. McLarens dominated that series, winning six of the nine races against tough competition from Lola.
McLaren M6A
The McLaren M6A was produced in various Spectraflame colors, as well as in orange enamel like the real car. McLarens were produced at both the US and HK plants.
As with other Grand Prix cars, early production versions of the McLaren had a rear hatch that opened all the way, often resulting in damage to the hinge. On later
versions, a stop peg was added to prevent the hatch from opening to the point of breakage. A sticker sheet of McLaren's signature "4" racing numbers was included.
US vs. Hong Kong Castings
The body casting of US and Hong Kong versions are similar. The most noteworthy difference is that the "vents" on the front fenders are not present on the HK version.
The HK version has blue tinted windscreen vs. clear on the US version. Both versions have black interiors, with some very rare brown interiors having been found.
The wheels on both were bearing type wheels. The HK base features the typical 4 rectangular cut outs, not found on US castings.
McLaren M6A, US Front and Rear
Four tough US McLarens: (L to R) yellow, light green, magenta and creamy pink
Unlike the other 1969 Grand Prix cars, the McLaren can be found in all of the first generation Spectraflame colors and all of the second generation colors with the
exception of hot pink. For some unknown reason, McLarens can be also found in several intermediate colors such as light purple, yellow-orange, medium blue, etc.
Rainbow of the HK McLaren M6A
Examples of the Hong Kong version are common in red, green and blue but orange enamel HK McLarens have not been seen.However,
it appears that the HK plant did produce a relatively small number of red enamel McLarens and at least one in dark green enamel.
One-of-a-kind: a green enamel HK McLaren M6A
From the Ken McLaren collection: not one but two rare red enamel HK cars!
A rare and beautiful HK orange McLaren
This rare car appears to have originally been Spectraflame blue but was repainted at the factory before assembly.
Another tough HK McLaren: olive!
Purple McLaren in a non-Grand Prix Series blister pack!
A Japanese issue blister pack with a blue McLaren
A cornucopia of McLaren blisterpacks!
Prototypes:
A few preproduction pieces of the McLaren M6A have survived.
Unpainted McLaren M6A Prototypes
A few rare unpainted prototype McLarens have been discovered. Note the painted highlights on the engine.
Three amazing enamel McLarens
A red HK and an orange with brown interior flank a green paint test car that came from a former Mattel employee!
Credits:
Photos and text by Rick Wilson and Ted Gray
Visit Rick Wilson's Redline Grand Prix site for more information.
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