VIN: the Mansour Ojjeh McLaren F1 chassis 036
History of chassis 036
Chassis 036 was the 30th F1 road car built and one of 14 completed in 1995.
It was ordered by Mansour Ojjeh, the son of internationally renowned Saudi businessman, Akram Ojjeh.
Akram Ojjeh’s industrial portfolio included aviation, construction and retail concerns. However, he was perhaps best known as the intermediary for arms sales between Saudi Arabia and France.
In 1977, Akram Ojjeh established Techniques d’Avant Garde (TAG) a private Luxembourg-based holding company for his advanced technology and luxury brand interests.
Mansour Ojjeh was Akram’s heir apparent and took charge of TAG’s US ventures in 1977. Mansour was instrumental in TAG becoming title sponsor of the Williams F1 team between 1979 and 1982.
In late 1981, Ron Dennis approached Porsche about the possibility of creating a turbocharged engine for McLaren. Porsche agreed, if McLaren could come up with the money.
Dennis needed an investor and convinced Mansour Ojjeh to put up $5m for which he would become co-owner of McLaren. Together, Dennis and Ojjeh transformed McLaren into the most successful Formula 1 team of the mid 1980s to early 1990s.
Mansour Ojjeh specified his F1 road car in a unique shade of Pale Blue Metallic. The interior was upholstered with a blue alcantara dash, blue carpet and two-tone blue leather upholstery for the seats.
Upon completion, 036 was transferred to Ojjeh’s residence on the outskirts of Geneva and registered GE 385 166.
Mansour Ojjeh retained 036 for eleven years. In 2006 it was sold to a collector in the USA.
The sale of 036 took place because Ojjeh had decided to purchase the F1 that belonged to his brother, Aziz, which was the last example built (chassis 075).
Chassis 036 has remained in the US since 2006.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed
