Description
The McLaren M8A was the car that launched McLaren’s period of absolute dominance in the Can-Am series. Introduced for the 1968 season, it was the first of the M8 family and represented a major step forward from the successful M6A. With more power, more sophisticated aerodynamics and an even stronger structural design, the M8A set new standards in Group 7 racing and established McLaren as the benchmark team of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Power came from a Chevrolet big-block V8, a dramatic increase in displacement over the small-block units used in earlier McLaren sports racers. In 7.0-litre form, the engine produced around 620 horsepower in race trim, giving the M8A enormous acceleration and the kind of torque that suited the wide, flowing circuits of the Can-Am championship. The engine was installed with meticulous attention to cooling and weight distribution, allowing McLaren to use the power reliably over long race distances. Its torque delivery was broad and relentless, and the combination of big-block strength and the light McLaren chassis created one of the most potent sports-racing cars of its era.
The chassis of the M8A built upon the monocoque principles introduced with the M6A but was reinforced and lengthened to accommodate the more powerful engine and greater aerodynamic loads. The central structure used aluminium sheet bonded and riveted into a rigid tub, with strong bulkheads and side sponsons integrated into the overall design. This construction gave the M8A exceptional stiffness, improving stability at high speeds and allowing the suspension to work with greater precision. The car remained impressively light despite its size and power output.
Suspension continued with double wishbones front and rear, paired with coil-spring dampers and careful geometry tuning. The increase in power demanded stronger uprights, tougher driveshafts and enlarged brake components. Ventilated discs at all four corners provided consistent stopping power, essential for managing the heavy braking zones typical of North American circuits. The M8A’s road-holding was notable for its stability and predictability, allowing drivers to exploit its power with confidence.
Aerodynamic development was one of the defining characteristics of the M8A. While still from the era before ground-effects cars, the M8A used large, high-mounted wings both front and rear to generate substantial downforce. These wings were adjustable, allowing the team to tune the car for different circuits. The bodywork was wide, cleanly sculpted and designed to maximise airflow to the radiators and engine. The car’s broad stance, low nose and wing-supported tail gave it a distinctive presence and significant performance advantages in fast corners. It was also the first McLaren to wear the now-famous papaya orange in a more refined form, making it instantly recognisable.
Inside, the cockpit was sparse, functional and designed for long, demanding races. The monocoque walls formed the interior surfaces, with minimal padding and straightforward instrumentation. Seating was low and tight, giving the driver excellent feel for the car. Controls were placed with racing efficiency in mind, and weight saving remained the guiding principle behind every design choice.
On the track, the M8A proved extraordinarily fast and durable. Its combination of high power, low weight, aerodynamic grip and refined chassis behaviour made it almost unbeatable. Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme used the M8A to devastating effect during the 1968 Can-Am season. The car won four of six races, with McLaren and Hulme finishing first and second in the championship. The M8A rarely suffered mechanical issues, reinforcing McLaren’s growing reputation not only for speed but also for exceptional reliability. The success of the M8A began the era known as the “Bruce and Denny Show,” where McLaren effectively ruled the Can-Am series.
The M8A became the foundation for an entire series of increasingly powerful and dominant McLaren Can-Am cars, including the M8B, M8D and M8F. Each of these developments built on the engineering principles established by the M8A, but the original car remains one of the most important milestones in McLaren’s history.
Today, the McLaren M8A is regarded as one of the great racing cars of the 1960s. It represents the moment when McLaren evolved from a highly capable constructor into a dominant force in international motorsport. Rare, powerful and historically significant, the M8A stands as a symbol of Bruce McLaren’s engineering philosophy and the beginning of one of the most successful racing dynasties ever created.