The N1A is everything you’d expect from a guy who used to design a successful Formula 1 racer.
Imagine a sports car lighter than a Mazda Miata, yet packing 650 hp from a 7.0-liter LS V8. It’s a perfect recipe for a blazing-fast vehicle, which is essentially what the Nichols Cars N1A is.
The N1A is built to pay homage to the mid-engine McLaren M1A, often considered the first “true” McLaren. No surprises there, though, as the man behind this beauty is Steve Nichols – the designer of the legendary MP4/4 F1 racer that claimed 15 victories with Aryton Senna and Alain Prost behind the wheel. That said, the M1A itself was a closed-wheel Group 7 class racer, and it’s easy to see the resemblance.
Indeed, Steve Nichols had some serious influence on the motorsport world back then. For instance, he introduced carbon fiber to the F1 world and worked with several teams, including Ferrari, Jaguar, Jordan, and Sauber. He joined McLaren in the early 1980s and created some of the most memorable F1 cars to date. Hence most of the inspiration for the N1A comes from the British racing team’s past.
As said earlier, the roofless sports car is powered by a bored 7.0-liter V8 from a Chevrolet Corvette, producing 650 hp. The engine that began its life as General Motor’s LS3 block has received several internal revamps, including new pistons, custom conrods, steel liners, and dry-sump lubrication. These mods are built by Langford Performance Engineering, famous for creating the mighty Cosworth DFV.
Worth noting, the N1A is also offered with LT1 GM V8 making 480 or 520 hp if you think you can’t handle the full 650. Yet all engines are symphonically paired to an old-school six-speed manual transmission with an open gate shifter that drives the rear.
Styling-wise, the bodywork is made from a sculpted Formula 1-grade graphene-infused carbon fiber to resemble the McLaren M1A, though this one is slightly wider. Moreover, the chassis is also made from carbon fiber and aluminum, enabling it to weigh just under 2,000 lbs. As a result, the 650 hp N1A produces a mere 700 hp per ton — 200 hp per ton more than a Bugatti Veyron. Luckily, traction controls are standard, unlike the optional power steering and ABS.
In addition, the lightweight beast sits on staggered 19- and 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubbers. It has motorsport-derived multi-piston AP racing brakes and a double wishbone suspension setting with anti-roll bars — everything needed to handle all its raw power.
We can also see the N1A’s interior is like a time capsule with no screens or capacitive buttons whatsoever to be found. The aluminum gauge cluster is lovely, as well as the gorgeously leather-wrapped seats and steering wheel.
Overall, we think everyone could agree on what a masterpiece the N1A is, and there’s no doubt the 76-year-old Steve Nichols still has its talent for making exceptional high-performance cars.
Check out Nichols Cars’ website for more details.
Gallery: Nichols Cars N1A
