Jay Leno Drove Rare 1969 McLaren M6 GT
The television host tested the classic race car alongside the upcoming 500-unit production McL 6GT.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Performance Vehicles
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Television personality Jay Leno recently took to the road in Los Angeles to test the historic 1969 McLaren M6 GT. The event highlighted the link between the classic model and the new McL 6GT, which McLaren is currently slated to produce in 2028.
Why it matters
The test drive bridges the gap between Bruce McLaren's original 1960s vision for a street-legal racer and the company's modern engineering. It showcases the evolution from the analog M6 GT to the forthcoming high-performance McL 6GT.
The original 1969 M6 GT featured a 5.7-liter Chevrolet V8 engine producing 370 horsepower in a 1,764-pound chassis. The modern McL 6GT will utilize a twin-turbocharged V8 paired with a 6-speed manual transmission.
The players
Jay Leno
He is a prominent television host and one of the most well-known automotive collectors in the world.
Bruce McLaren
He was a racing driver and engineer who founded the McLaren automotive and racing company.
McLaren
This is a British manufacturer known for producing high-performance sports cars and racing vehicles.
The details
The 1969 M6 GT was an ambitious project intended to transform a race car into a road-going model before Bruce McLaren's death stopped production. The new version modernizes this heritage by incorporating a full carbon-fiber structure and a titanium-linked manual transmission.
Timeline
1969 marked the original production year of the McLaren M6 GT.
Bruce McLaren died in 1970, effectively ending the initial M6 GT program.
McLaren expects to produce 500 units of the new McL 6GT in 2028.
Roadmap
This project signals a broader shift as manufacturers increasingly revisit their heritage models to anchor modern performance platforms. It positions McLaren to compete in the specialized segment for buyers who prioritize analog feel in a contemporary carbon-fiber package.
Potential buyers should prepare for significant interest in the limited 500-unit production run of the new model. While the historic M6 GT remains an elusive collector item, the modern version offers enthusiasts a chance to own a vehicle inspired by its specific engineering lineage.
The takeaway
The legacy of Bruce McLaren continues to influence the company's production goals decades after his death. Collectors and performance enthusiasts should note that balancing historic design DNA with modern safety and materials often defines the value of these limited-production vehicles.
What happens next
McLaren is currently accepting customer orders for the 500 units of the McL 6GT, with the formal production run scheduled to begin in 2028.
Further reading
Explore more about modern supercars in our Performance Vehicles section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by HotCars.
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