Even McLaren has a soft spot for American muscle cars. A prime example is this 1973 Plymouth Barracuda, a product of a collaboration between eBay and McLaren's F1 team. It looks stunning in Hemi Orange, but in reality, it's not Hemi Orange. Given its McLaren connection, the classic muscle car sports a Papaya body wrap, mirroring McLaren's iconic racing color.

Does this mean there's a high-revving McLaren twin-turbocharged V-8 under the hood? Not at all. The build was primarily managed by eBay, with McLaren providing guidance on which upgrades to incorporate. Consequently, the muscle car's original suspension and brakes have been replaced with Mopar coilovers and Wilwood discs at all four corners. This necessitated new brake lines, proportioning valves, and tandem master cylinders, among other modifications. It's safe to say this Barracuda stops far better than it did in the 1970s.

As for the engine, it appears to be a 340 cubic-inch V-8. Whether it's the original engine remains unspecified in the press release, but a 340 was available in 1973, producing 240 horsepower in stock form. We're informed that the engine features full-length headers connected to an upgraded exhaust system. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an undisclosed automatic transmission. The Barracuda rolls on American Racing 15-inch Torq Thrust wheels, giving it a true muscle car appearance. Kudos to McLaren for not opting for oversized 20-inch wheels.

Other enhancements include new front and rear lights, a fresh steering wheel, racing seats, and updated carpeting. As an eBay collaboration, everything was sourced through the online auction platform, including the car itself. The project was completed just in time for Lando Norris to drive it to Texas for the United States Grand Prix. Norris, of course, didn't arrive in a brand-new W1.

"We're thrilled to have collaborated 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 in Austin and around the world as we return to the US," said McLaren Racing Co-Chief Commercial Officer Matt Dennington.

If you're in Austin for the big race, you can catch a glimpse of the car at McLaren's garage.

Source link:   https://www.motor1.com