Mouse Motors’ 1969 McLaren M8B Takes Concours de Sport Honors at The Amelia 2026
Mouse Motors’ 1969 McLaren M8B earned Best of Show, Concours de Sport at The Amelia 2026, one of the collector-car world’s most respected annual events.
Event images courtesy of Hagerty/Amelia Concours.
Finished in Papaya Orange, the M8B was recognized for both its historical importance and its presentation, standing apart as one of the most significant competition cars shown during the weekend. The result marks a major concours achievement for a model widely regarded as one of the defining cars of the Can-Am era.
The 1969 McLaren M8B occupies a singular place in period racing history. McLaren M8Bs won all 11 rounds of the 1969 Can-Am season, with Bruce McLaren taking six victories in the No. 4 car and Denny Hulme adding five more in the No. 5 entry. With approximately 600 horsepower from a 7.0-liter Chevrolet V-8 and bodywork shaped entirely by performance demands, the M8B became one of the clearest symbols of Can-Am’s unrestricted formula.
The example now owned by Mouse Motors was acquired in unrestored condition and subsequently returned to its original configuration through McLaren Heritage. Its appearance at The Amelia reflected not only the importance of the model itself, but also a disciplined restoration approach grounded in authenticity and historical accuracy.
Dario Franchitti, the 2026 Amelia honoree, noted the significance of the M8B during the event, identifying it as the dominant car of a series defined by extraordinary speed and minimal regulation. The response was fitting for a car that continues to command respect across generations of drivers, historians, and collectors.
For Mouse Motors, the award represents recognition of a competition car that helped define a period of McLaren history and remains central to the broader legacy of Can-Am racing.
