Unveiled in 1964, McLaren’s introductory Mark I model was available with V-8 Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, and Ford power units, each employing the dependable Hewland LG500 four-speed transaxle. Some 24 customer examples are understood to have been constructed, of which the Chevrolet-powered chassis 20/14 was originally delivered to New Yorker Mike Goth. A keen competitor in SCCA- and USRRC-organized events, Goth intended to compete in the 1965 Autoweek Championship; this series ultimately metamorphosized into the celebrated Can-Am Championship for 1966.

Its race debut came at Kent, Washington, on 10 October 1965, although Goth endured a troubled weekend. However, only a week later, a 10-place finish in the Laguna Seca 200 miles—against opposition including Walt Hansgen, Parnelli Jones, Peter Revson, and Jim Hall—gave considerable cause for optimism. Although entered for the penultimate round at Riverside, the car did not appear, and the season ended frustratingly with transmission failure in the final round in Las Vegas.

From the outset, Goth had expressed concerns as to the car’s aerodynamic stability and, by way of remedy, a new aluminum Mark II-style body was fabricated by Wally Peat of Seattle, Washington. Whether the new body was fitted for the start of the 1966 season remains unclear, but nevertheless Goth enjoyed a strong start with a 3rd-place finish behind Jerry Grant’s Lola T70 and Lothar Motschenbacher’s McLaren-Elva Mark II at Bridgehampton in mid-May.

Following the conclusion of the summertime USRRC season, 20/14 was prepared for the inaugural 1966 Can-Am series that fall, in which it contested five of the six rounds held. Duly repainted Red—and with its track now widened by some 1.5 inches—the car was re-named the McLaren Goth Special, recording best results of 11th at Mosport and 10th at the penultimate round at Riverside. Although unable to challenge for outright victory against the all-conquering Lola T70s, Goth and 20/14 would frequent a highly competitive midfield, mixing with accomplished fellow McLaren pilots including Skip Scott, Chuck Parsons, and Masten Gregory.

Goth’s purchase of a Lola T70 for 1967 rendered 20/14 surplus to his requirements, and the car was sold to Jim Paul of Los Angeles, California later that year. Paul contested five Can-Am rounds across the 1967 and 1968 seasons (albeit without finishing a race) with the car then passing to an unnamed Californian Corvette enthusiast. By 1987, its frame, aluminum body and suspension components had been acquired by Bill Moir of Salinas, California, and these subsequently passed to Wilton, California-based enthusiast Mike Blackie. The latter embarked upon an exhaustive restoration over the next four years; the car, appropriately, making its post-restoration Vintage race debut at Kent, Washington—the scene of its inaugural outing some 27 years earlier. Acquired by the present New Zealand-based owner in 2007, 20/14 has since enjoyed an active and successful vintage racing career throughout Australasia, including competing in every NZ Festival of Motor Racing between 2010 and 2014, and in the Vintage support race at the 2013 Australian Grand Prix.

Benefitting from arresting looks, a fascinating competition history, and an exacting restoration, 20/14 represents a truly spectacular example of this most charismatic of early Can-Am designs. Accompanied by an extensive history file documenting its important Can-Am years, detailing its modern racing setup and career, as well as enthusiast magazine coverage, this car’s exhilarating performance, commendable practicality and eligibility for all manner of vintage racing events render it the consummate “all-rounder,” and a car fit to grace any appropriately discerning collection.