McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has rescued a one-of-a-kind 1970s team motorhome, preserving an important piece of Formula 1 history.
McLaren Racing chief executive Zak Brown has become the new owner of a unique 1972 Ford Condor RV once used as a mobile headquarters for the McLaren factory racing team during the 1970s. The vintage coach, purchased for $32,500, represents far more than a nostalgic collectible — it is a rolling symbol of Formula 1’s golden era and the growing value of authentic motorsport artifacts.
The appearance of the historic RV on the collector market immediately attracted attention from racing fans and automotive historians. Brown reportedly kept details of the deal private until the purchase was finalized, highlighting both his personal attachment to McLaren’s heritage and the increasing demand for original motorsport memorabilia.
The 1972 Ford Condor RV remains remarkably well preserved. Inside, the coach still features a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom with shower, dining area, and sleeping quarters. According to auction representatives from Bring a Trailer, much of the motorhome’s originality has been carefully documented, while the interior still reflects the atmosphere of late-night strategy meetings between engineers, managers, and drivers during McLaren’s formative years.
Interestingly, Brown did not personally place bids during the auction. Instead, longtime friend and racing executive Alan Gow handled the bidding process with one clear mission — keep going until the RV returned to McLaren hands. The move reflects a broader trend among modern racing executives who increasingly value preserving motorsport history alongside achieving success on track.
Collectors say purchases like this are becoming more common as interest in authentic vintage vehicles continues to rise across both the United States and Europe. Historic race transporters, support trucks, and team motorhomes are now highly desirable additions to museums, private collections, and promotional events. Brown’s plans for the Condor are refreshingly practical: he intends to use the RV exactly as it was originally designed — traveling to race weekends and staying in it during events.
This Ford Condor RV is believed to be a one-off custom build commissioned specifically for a McLaren team co-founder during the early 1970s.
Fans familiar with McLaren history will immediately recognize the white-and-orange paint scheme.
During the 1972 Formula 1 season, when McLaren was sponsored by cosmetics company Yardley , the team raced in the same orange-and-white colors. The RV was built during that period and served a dual purpose: a mobile office for engineers and management staff, plus a private living space for the team executive using it.
By modern standards, the interior was surprisingly modest. The body was constructed from aluminum with a steel support structure, while the cabin itself was divided into two main sections.
The front area functioned as a meeting and dining room. Long bench seating accommodated four people, complemented by two additional chairs and a central worktable where strategy discussions took place during race weekends.
The rear cabin included a compact but fully functional kitchen with a four-burner propane stove, sink, and refrigerator.
Storage cabinets, supply drawers, a folding table, and additional lounge seating completed the living space.
The sofas converted into a large bed, while an additional upper bunk provided extra sleeping capacity. One unusual custom option requested by the original owner was an integrated alarm clock — essential equipment in the nonstop world of international motorsport.
Although the abundance of sleeping space may seem unusual today, the RV was designed for racing personnel working under intense pressure. Team managers and engineers often operated on only a few hours of sleep between sessions, making the mobile office a practical place for quick rest breaks during race weekends.
At the center of the coach was a compact bathroom with a shower — basic, but fully functional for life on the road.
Electrical systems operated on standard American 110-volt power supplied by an onboard generator producing roughly 5 kilowatts. The generator also powered the RV’s air-conditioning system, a valuable feature during summer race weekends.
The propane-powered generator sat inside a dedicated compartment beneath the body, sharing fuel with the kitchen stove. Whenever outside electrical hookups were available, the generator could be shut down to conserve fuel.
The RV itself was built on a Ford commercial truck chassis. Measuring roughly 28 feet long, the Condor was carefully packaged to maximize usable interior space without feeling cramped.
Power came from a carbureted V8 engine mounted beneath the front floor section. It was paired with a three-speed automatic transmission, while the rear axle featured a two-speed differential, giving the large motorhome a surprisingly versatile gearing range for highway travel.
Over the decades, the one-of-a-kind motorhome passed through several owners, yet it has never lost its appeal. Today, thanks to Zak Brown’s purchase, one of McLaren’s most unusual surviving artifacts appears destined to remain part of racing history for years to come.