McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris showed up at the US Grand Prix this past weekend in a heavily modified 1973 Plymouth Barracuda. The Mopar thunder hit the Circuit of the Americas.
Next to unrecognizably modded and fashionably rocking McLaren's signature Papaya rather than the HEMI Orange, the 1973 Plymouth Barracuda rolled up in true Texas style in Austin in the hands of F1 driver, Lando Norris. McLaren's British driver is what you would call a car guy. But then again, all F1 drivers are.
Lando owns a couple of McLarens (that's so predictable!), as well as a few classics: a Lamborghini Miura painted in dark blue over an orange interior, a Porsche Carrera GT, wearing dark green, and a classic Land Rover in silver. But this past weekend, he went to the track in the 1973 Plymouth Barracuda.
He describes the restomodded 'Cuda as the exact opposite of the cars he's got in his garage back home. "I'm used to sportier, sleeker race cars," Lando Norris explains.
Both McLaren and the team's partner since May, eBay, worked on the model. The classic is powered by a 340-cubic-inch V8, mated to an automatic transmission. It may look strange and it may have a weird spec, but the Plymouth was fully restored using only parts and accessories available on eBay Motors.
The project kicked off with the vehicle in near-stock configuration. The team counted on the eBay Guaranteed Fit program, which helps buyers find the right part.
Photo: McLaren | eBay
The project car got a coil-over suspension conversion, Wilwood disc brakes on all four corners, as well as upgraded headers and exhaust. There are racing bucket seats from Corbeau on board, in the company of a wood-rimmed steering wheel from Momo.
The classic American muscle car now sports updated headlights and taillights and rides on 15-inch American Racing Wheels with period-correct tires. "When you want to push it, there's that confidence and that knowledge things are up to the spec they need to be," Norris says. He felt right at home in Austin, Texas, with the Barracuda.
Those who were present at the track last week could see the old-school car at the McLaren/eBay team garage starting on Thursday, ahead of the US Grand Prix. They could also vote on other modifications to be carried out, such as different wheels, tires, steering wheel, and more, as well as watch the final modifications in action.
It looks like the 'Cuda wasn't a lucky charm at the US Grand Prix. Lando Norris, who had won in Singapore, had to settle for fourth place in Austin. McLaren's driver currently sits second in the Drivers Championship Standings. Meanwhile, his team is in the lead in the 2024 Constructor Standings this season.
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