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The iconic McLaren M23-Ford Cosworth was never the most technically advanced Formula 1 car entered, but sound preparation, attention to detail and talented drivers gave it 21 victories and two world titles.
1
Gordon Coppock designed the McLaren M23 for the 1973 season. Denny Hulme captured pole position at its very first race in South Africa.
2
Several Formula 1 rookies such as Gilles Villeneuve, Nelson Piquet and Bruno Giacomelli raced the McLaren M23.
3
The McLaren M23 took two drivers to the F1 World Championship: Emerson Fittipaldi in 1974, and James Hunt in 1976.
4
McLaren built a grand total of 13 chassis of the M23 model.
5
Privateers purchased and modified some M23s. They received big block V8 engines to race in the F5000 series, and one was even bodied to compete in the Cam-Am Challenge in America.
6
Jody Scheckter was behind the wheel of a McLaren M23 when he triggered one the biggest pile-ups in Formula 1 history, caused by a spin at the end of the first lap of the 1973 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
7
The M23 became the first Cosworth-powered F1 car to be fitted with a in-house modified 6-speed Hewland gearbox (instead of 5).
1
Gordon Coppock designed the McLaren M23 for the 1973 season. Denny Hulme captured pole position at its very first race in South Africa.
 |
| Emerson Fittipaldi, driving the original M23 fitted with the giant size airbox. (Photo: WRi2) |
2
Several Formula 1 rookies such as Gilles Villeneuve, Nelson Piquet and Bruno Giacomelli raced the McLaren M23.
3
The McLaren M23 took two drivers to the F1 World Championship: Emerson Fittipaldi in 1974, and James Hunt in 1976.
 |
| James Hunt, behind the wheel of the modified M23 with the two small lateral air boxes. (Photo: WRi2) |
4
McLaren built a grand total of 13 chassis of the M23 model.
5
Privateers purchased and modified some M23s. They received big block V8 engines to race in the F5000 series, and one was even bodied to compete in the Cam-Am Challenge in America.
6
Jody Scheckter was behind the wheel of a McLaren M23 when he triggered one the biggest pile-ups in Formula 1 history, caused by a spin at the end of the first lap of the 1973 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
7
The M23 became the first Cosworth-powered F1 car to be fitted with a in-house modified 6-speed Hewland gearbox (instead of 5).