VIN: Closer to Reality - McLaren F1 Prototype chassis XP4
History of chassis XP4
XP4 was the fourth of five F1 prototypes built with the XP chassis prefix.
Like XP2 and XP3, it was originally configured with small front indicators and single tail lights.
McLaren first painted XP4 dark metallic grey, after which it was used for testing duty.
An early public appearance saw XP4 parked up at the Silverstone Historic Festival in July 1993. At this point, the car was still not road registered.
In early 1994, McLaren were approached by New Zealand retail magnate, Rajeshwar Sarup “Roger” Bhatnagar, about the possibility of purchasing an F1.
Born in India, Roger Bhatnagar had moved to New Zealand from Canada in 1980. That year, he opened his first audio store in central Auckland which quickly grew into the Sound Plus chain.
In 1991, Bhatnagar rescued the Noel Leeming electronics chain from receivership. Two years later, Noel Leeming was listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange. The market capitalisation of $26m was nearly ten times what Bhatnagar had paid.
In 1994, Bhatnager was involved in bringing Burger King to New Zealand.
For his services to business and the community, Bhatnager was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.
To avoid the delay for a production McLaren F1, a deal was struck that saw XP4 refurbished and reconfigured with standard lighting. It was refinished in Bhatnagar’s preferred colour scheme of Bright Electric Blue with tan leather and a black driver’s seat.
Prior to dispatch, XP4 was road registered K6 MCL. In this configuration, it appeared in a 1994 episode of Top Gear where Tiff Needell gave it a spirited track test at Goodwood.
XP4 was shipped to New Zealand in mid 1994.
Bhatnagar retained the car for several years, during which it was maintained by Clark’s of Khyber Pass in Auckland. While in New Zealand, the car was registered XP4.
In 1994, Bhatnagar appeared with his car on the front cover of Management magazine.
XP4 was later sold to a collector in California who had the interior switched to white leather with GT-style blue seat inserts.
In October 2010, XP4 was displayed at the opening of McLaren San Francisco.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Supercar Nostalgia & unattributed
