Pony car collectors better listen up as a rare 1980 M81 McLaren Mustang prototype is going up for grabs.
Set to go under the hammer at Mecum’s Indy Auction in May, the prototype graced the cover of Motor Trend in December 1980 and toured the country as part of an effort to promote the project. While 250 examples were reportedly supposed to be built, only 10 were made according to the listing.
That makes the prototype a rare bird and it will certainly draw attention thanks to its Bittersweet Orange and Gray exterior, which features “McLaren Mustang” graphics on the doors. They’re joined by a fiberglass hood, wide fenders, and BBS wheels.
The upgrades continue in the cabin with black Recaro seats and a Racemark steering wheel. They’re joined by a roll cage, Stewart Warner instrumentation, and a dash plaque with a P indicating the car’s prototype status.
The 1980 Mustang wasn’t known for having a great engine lineup and the prototype features a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder. It’s no EcoBoost but, thanks to McLaren’s upgrades, it produces 175 hp (130 kW / 177 PS). That’s not much these days, but it’s a sizable improvement over the 132 hp (98 kW / 134 PS) that came stock.
The engine is connected to a four-speed manual and the odometer suggests the car has only been driven 556 miles (895 km) in the past 43 years. That sounds pretty believable as the car looks brand new.
Given its rarity, the car is expected to fetch between $75,000 (£60,313 / €67,582) and $100,000 (£80,418 / €90,110). That being said, six years ago a different McLaren Mustang failed to sell as bidding maxed out at $24,250 (£19,500 / €21,851). However, that model had been driven 4,887 miles (7,865 km) and that’s nearly nine times as much as this prototype.
It’s also worth noting this particular car comes with a handful of extras including a “motorsports postcard,” a double-sided show board, and an original McLaren dealer poster. The seller even has the original Firestone HPR radial tires and they’ll be shipped separately as the car rides on new Cooper rubber.
