Historically, 1960s Can-Am racers like the original McLaren M1A were notorious— fragile, unpredictable, and terrifyingly overpowered. The Nichols N1A completely flips that script. It delivers masses of grunt, ultra-lightweight construction, and head-turning retro aesthetics in a fully road-legal, accessible package.

Conceived by Steve Nichols—Chief Designer of the legendary, all-conquering McLaren MP4/4 Formula 1 car—the N1A is the ultimate modern hyper car antidote. It balances on the precipice between raw exhilaration and pure, unfiltered driving engagement. Far from being an intimidating track monster, it is an absolute riot on the road and track, offering an authentic analog experience unmatched in modern automotive manufacturing.

F1 Engineering & Aerodynamics

Underneath its hand-formed skin, the N1A relies on a bespoke chassis constructed from extruded, bonded aluminium and carbon fibre. It was engineered alongside Bob Mustard—the structural genius behind the original Lotus Elise S1 chassis.

To maintain clean, elegant 1960s proportions without cluttering the silhouette with gaudy modern wings, Nichols enlisted former Mercedes F1 Chief Aerodynamicist Ben Wood. Refined in the MIRA wind tunnel, the underbody physics allow the N1A to achieve zero lift with balanced front and rear downforce, effortlessly managing the footprint of its 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels.

Visceral Performance

Propelled by a hand-assembled, 7.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 featuring eight individual open throttle trumpets, the N1A delivers up to 700 bhp in a sub-900 kg chassis. The minimalist cabin is stripped back to core racing essentials, with light touches of supple leather across touch points to maintain a luxury feel without diluting its race-bred purpose.

The instrument cluster is machined from solid aluminum billets housing clear with tactile analog gauges.

Once seated in the low-slung, reclined driving position inspired by the MP4/4, your hand meets an anodised gear knob that mirrors the exact contour and texture of the unit used by Ayrton Senna during his dominant 1988 season.

Bespoke Personalisation

The first 15 production cars are badged to commemorate each individual Grand Prix victory of the Steve Nichols-designed McLaren MP4/4. Every car is bespoke. Customers can specify unique carbon-fibre weaves, custom exterior liveries, tailored cabin upholstery, and optional speed-sensitive power steering or switchable traction control.

Why James chose to add Nichols Cars to the LaSource Collection

The Nichols car is built only a few miles from our home in Surrey, UK. Several personal friends are involved with the project and for three years, I watched the Nichols N1A with a mix of fascination and healthy skepticism. In the boutique supercar world, promises are easy; production is hard. But by mid-2026, the narrative had shifted fundamentally. The N1A had moved from a legendary engineer’s dream to a production reality. With those promises delivered, LaSource was finally ready to step forward and recommend it.

The turning point for us boiled down to one word: confidence. With clients’ money safe, the first customer deliveries underway, and the announcement that the world-renowned RML Group had been appointed to handle the build of around 25 cars per annum initially, any lingering “startup anxiety” evaporated for me.

The industry’s most discerning Tier 1 journalists have now driven the N1A development cars, and their reactions echo my own findings after putting it through its paces on road and track in 2026. In an era dominated by heavy, ultra-expensive hypercars, the Nichols N1A stands out as a relatively accessible antidote—a worthy addition to any serious collection.

James Banks – Founder of LaSource