Model: Kyosho McLaren F1 GTR
Release: Kokusai Kaihatsu Le Mans 1995 (McLaren F1 GTR Racing Collection, 2010)
eBay link: Kyosho McLaren F1 1:64
Why I’m featuring it: The black Kokusai Kaihatsu/Lanzante McLaren was a famous winner at Le Mans in 1995. Its fast, drama-free run put it ahead of the more fancied Gulf and Harrods sister cars (whose liveries are arguably more well known) and denied Mario Andretti what would have been a Triple Crown-equaling win in the Courage prototype.
Kyosho issued this 1:64 replica as part of its frankly amazing McLaren F1 GTR Racing Collection in 2010. There isn’t a single dud in this beautiful set (four shorttails, four longtails), of which I own this example (driven in real life by Yannick Dalmas, Masanori Sekiya and JJ Lehto) and the 1996 BMW Motorsport/Bigazzi version. If they rolled, they’d be perfect!
Hot Wheels has produced a couple of nice McLaren F1s but it’s disappointing that we’re getting another Gulf one in the British Horsepower set. It would have been great to see a less bandwagonesque choice like the Harrods car, the BMW one or this Kokusai Kaihatsu version. In the meantime, I’ll be on the lookout for a Kyosho longtail to add to my lineup of classic GT racers!
(find 1:64 Kyosho McLaren F1 on eBay)
(find Hot Wheels McLaren F1 on eBay)
I wanna see HW release just a base black F1 GTR and let the rest go wild, or have the UenoClinic one be the Super.