Tom Hartley Jnr Lists Five Historic McLaren F1 Cars
The exclusive collection features iconic racing vehicles previously kept in McLaren's personal custody.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Motorsports
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Dealer Tom Hartley Jnr has listed five historic McLaren Formula 1 cars for individual sale. These vehicles, which span 32 years of racing history, have remained in the possession of McLaren Racing since they last competed.
Why it matters
McLaren Racing is selling the collection because current storage constraints have prevented the vehicles from being actively driven or enjoyed by enthusiasts. The move is part of the organization's broader effort to keep its heritage and history business active.
The collection includes two 1991 MP4/6A models, one 2012 MP4/27A, one 2021 MCL35M, and one 2023 MCL37A. McLaren Racing will manage the technical preparation of the cars for their future owners.
The players
Tom Hartley Jnr
He is a high-end automotive dealer based in the East Midlands who specializes in rare and historic performance vehicles.
McLaren Racing
It is the British motor racing team responsible for competing in Formula 1 and maintaining an extensive collection of its historical race cars.
The details
The vehicles were driven by legendary racers including Ayrton Senna, Gerhard Berger, Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris. All five cars are now available for acquisition through the East Midlands-based dealership.
Timeline
The 1991 MP4/6A models competed during the 1991 season.
The MP4/27A model competed in 2012.
The MCL35M model competed in 2021.
The MCL37A model competed in 2023.
The vehicles became available for acquisition on October 20, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This sale follows a pattern established by other major automakers who have recently opted to downsize their private museum holdings to allow private collectors to actively maintain and operate historic racing machinery. Such moves highlight a shift in how modern racing teams view the long-term utility of legacy inventory versus the need to preserve their heritage business.
Qualified collectors now have a rare opportunity to acquire authentic chassis previously held in the manufacturer's own collection. Future owners should anticipate that McLaren Racing will handle the specialized technical preparation required for these high-performance machines.
The takeaway
This sale offers a rare look at how major racing teams balance heritage preservation with the physical limitations of storage. Collectors should prioritize vehicles with documented racing history when considering these high-value acquisitions.
Further reading
For more on the latest developments in racing history and vehicle provenance, visit Motorsports.
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