Why didn't the McLaren F1 3 seat design catch on?

I think safety was a concern. The Road and Track article mentioned that both side seats have to be removed in order for them to be federalized.

 

Maybe because a lot people think it would think its way hard to get into and out of the cars.

 

I believe that was the reason. Seem to remember the Matra coupes had three abreast seating (however, it was driver, pass, pass.) in the Bagheera and Murena, haven't seen it offered since....

 

Conversion kits....new business?

 

Not enough men out there able to date two girls at once?

In all seriousness, I think if you were driving with a fully loaded car, it might prove difficult to get all 3 people out in an emergency situation such as the car catches fire. Even split - seconds are precious in those types of situations I would think.

 

Eddie Irvine said the problem with the Maclaren F1 is that you'd have to drive around with two girls all the time and they'd be constantly bickering. Makes sense.

 

lol HAHAHAHAHAHA good

 

FYI, Ferrari made a three seat car with the driver in the center in 1965 ... well before the Mclaren F1. It was called the 365P... http://www.europeancarweb.com/features/0407ec_1965_ferrari_365p_berlinetta_speciale/index.html

 

Never seen that car before, thank you for posting! Kingsize Dino.....

 

It would also have to be quite wide. No-go for an Elise.

 

The same way how the Tuckers design didn't catch on. I thought it was brilliant with the three headlamps and a sedan with a huge engine in the back.

Either way these cars are just that much special compared with anything else on the road.

 

there are 2 kit cars avail in the 3 seat format
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WOW. This looks like a monster Ariel Atom.
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Wow! What car is that ?

 

Ariel Atom

tiny british company

 

Ariel make a 3-seater atom ?

 

no

www.sdrsportscars.co.uk

 

Thanks Nick

 

Here is why I think they/he did it:

It was a marketing gimmick - "center line like an F1 car". So what - prototypes that are about as fast have long had either RHD or LHD, usually RHD.

It avoids the need to make an export LHD car and a native RHD car.

Here is why I think it did not take off:

It is demonstrably awkward to climb into with only a driver, silly to sit in with just one passanger (even if it is a pretty girl), and probably pretty uncomfortable for three people.

In essence, a novelty that has been used in a few car show specials, but never successful in the real world.

Too bad, I think it may have actually been a detriment to a really great car (along the the understeer and the weak climate control system).

 

Hardly. This concept had been bouncing around in one of the most prolific, and purist engineering minds for years before he brought to fruition.

 

Nobody likes backseat drivers in a sports car...
BT

 

OK, I like the designer GM and his work (no comment here on the Mercedes-McLaren SL Paris Hilton special).

But, just like the Ferrari prototypes mentioned earlier, it has way more "show" value than real world usability value.

My question is simple - did anybody actually buy one of these because they were MOTIVATED by this feature, or rather did they buy the car because they TOLERATED this feature while being motivated by the car's great mechanicals?

I would hazard to say it was the latter.

 

Jay Leno would seem to disagree, commenting on improved visibility from the center position in this video:

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/video_player.shtml?vid=187639

 

My friend did, he loves it that way. I think it is great too and I like the driving position, but only because it is such a special car. I wouldn't like it in a daily driver.