One to Buy: ex-Tony Smith 1994 McLaren F1 High Downforce Kit
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If the styling of McLaren’s base F1 was deemed too conservative, customers could send their car back to Woking for a GTR-inspired conversion. Offered at considerable expense, the High Downforce Kit endowed the F1 with a visual drama perhaps more befitting of its spectacular credentials.
Nine cars reputedly underwent the transformation to High Downforce trim in period, one having been chassis 020, the F1 sold new to British rock band manager, Tony Smith, which is currently residing at the Tom Hartley Jnr. showroom in Oxfordshire.
Chassis 020 started life as a regular F1 painted one-of-one Mid Pearl Blue. Delivered in 1994 as the 18th of the 64 F1 road cars, it joined an impressive collection funded by the enormous record sales of Smith’s best known acts, Phil Collins and Genesis. During the years that followed, the McLaren was seen throughout Europe as Tony Smith used it to travel far and wide while racing his fleet of historic cars.
After a while spent in its original configuration, Tony Smith commissioned McLaren to install the High Downforce Kit and carry out a colour change to Carbon Black with a Red coachline. Today, the one owner car has covered a little under 47,000 miles and looks to be in superb condition throughout.
According to Tom Hartley Jnr.: “The car is one of very few single-owner McLaren F1s in existence and featured in the iconic series Top Gear, during which motorsport and Formula 1 legend Murray Walker drove chassis #020 and declared it the “greatest car ever”.
Offered complete with its original handbooks, dedicated fitted luggage, Facom tool chest, original Autoglym cleaning kit and many other factory-delivered F1 accessories, including the highly sought-after TAG Heuer McLaren F1 Owner’s Watch, featuring the chassis number on the dial. It is accompanied by an incredibly rich history file, with the earliest records predating the production process.”
