The staff at McLaren’s futuristic HQ reveal their automotive passions, from everyday motors to exotica
WORDS LIZZIE POPE PHOTOGRAPHY JOHN BRADSHAW
The James Bond-esque factory in Woking, Surrey, that houses the McLaren racing and automotive teams is known across the world for the supercars and top-level racers it produces. But often more fascinating are the people who develop and build these machines, and on 22 September, the second Cars and Coffee event at the Norman Foster-designed building was an opportunity to celebrate these talents and share their passions, harnessing that enthusiasm and establishing fresh human connections. And what a superbly eclectic turnout it was, with around 60 vehicles coming and going across the day. Here are just a few of their stories.
Jono Brookes
Director of F1 build, McLaren Racing
1964 FIAT 500D
This classic ended up being a 40th-birthday present to himself, but Jono Brookes has always been interested in the model. “It’s a simple, original city car,” he enthuses, “I just love them. I drove my missus mad for about two years, looking every night for one to buy.” Indeed, the lead to this car, one of three imported from Italy by its previous owner, came from his long-suffering other half.
“I’ve had it about six years and it was in very good nick,” he says, “so I’ve had to do little to it. It’s been well looked after and I’m pleased to say it has lived up to my dream. I don’t use it as much as I should, because work gets in the way, so it doesn’t do many miles. A few years ago we took part in the 500’s 60th-anniversary celebration at the Goodwood Revival, which has been the highlight so far.
“It’s for local trips around London where we live because, after all, it is a city car. When we’re out in it, onlookers always stop, take pictures and wave. It just puts a smile on people’s faces – and on ours.”
Neil Oatley
Motorsport research director, McLaren Racing
1972 ALPINE A110 1600S
For five years, this Alpine has shared garage space with Neil Oatley’s Lancia Fulvia, but while the Italian half of this rally-themed duo is campaigned, that’s not on the cards for the A110 – yet it hasn’t always been that way. “It was sold directly to Italy, then moved to Greece and did some rallying when new, but now it’s almost too valuable for that,” says Neil. “This one is really just about as it would’ve been in period. It was a dream purchase.
“It’s a car I’ve liked since I was a schoolkid. I’ve always loved racing, but I got more interested in rallying at the time when this was one of the stars, as was the Fulvia. An
