This is the most impressive collection of McLarens ever put up for sale.

      Tom Hartley Jnr

      Subscribe to Get The Drive’s daily newsletter

      Stay updated with the latest news, reviews, and features in the automotive world.

      In 2021, McLaren lost one of its key figures, Mansour Ojjeh, a businessman who was instrumental in elevating the brand's status in Formula 1 during the 1980s and in competing with renowned manufacturers like Ferrari and Porsche in the realm of supercars. It's fair to assert that McLaren wouldn’t be where it is today without Ojjeh’s influence, making his collection of the company's finest road cars—soon to be auctioned by Tom Hartley Jnr—even more significant.

      Ojjeh’s collection includes 19 cars, primarily adorned in a distinctive shade of orange called “Mansour Orange.” While it might resemble a conventional color offered by the company alongside its classic papaya, Mansour Orange was exclusive to Ojjeh himself. Notably, he opted not to take delivery of these cars when they were initially released; instead, he requested the very last unit produced of each model, as he believed they represented the most polished versions.

      The oldest vehicle showcased here on the Bahrain circuit is undoubtedly the McLaren F1. This car epitomized ’90s performance legends and exemplified what the company could achieve in the realm of road cars long before transitioning to full-fledged automaker status with the MP4-12C in 2010. This particular F1 has only been driven around 1,120 miles, setting it apart from the others. Aside from the P1 GTR owned by Ojjeh, none of these cars have seen any use—except perhaps briefly for this photo opportunity.

      Ojjeh initially dubbed the color for his F1 “Yquem,” after a dessert wine, before it was later changed to honor him.

      Interestingly, the Speedtail is present here in a color that deviates from the typical steely blue many associate with it. The 720S Le Mans Edition, featuring beautiful monoblock five-spoke wheels, celebrates the 25th anniversary of the McLaren F1 GTR’s remarkable victory at the 1995 24-hour race. Even the Elva, inspired by Can-Am racers that Bruce McLaren dominated, doesn’t follow the orange theme.

      Two cars in the collection stand out for their exposed carbon fiber rather than orange: a Senna highlighted with colors representing the Brazilian flag and a 675LT Spider, which showcases papaya accents on the front splitter, side skirts, and diffuser.

      Tom Hartley Jnr recently sold former F1 magnate Bernie Ecclestone’s collection of 69 Grand Prix cars for $646 million to Mark Mateschitz, whose father co-founded Red Bull. While this McLaren collection may not reach those figures, it is reasonable to anticipate it will fetch a substantial amount.

      Got tips? Send them to [email protected]