The M1B was the McLaren team car for 1965 through to 1996, as well as the McLaren Elva customer car for 1966. Elva announced they would be building the M1B in September 1965. It was the second car to be produced by Elva, but the first to be successful for both works and customer drivers, in England and America. Elva produced 28 M1Bs.
The design was based on the M1A, with engineer Robin Herd retaining and revising the frame to make it 20% stronger without gaining any weight. The strength was gained by using larger diameter round and square mild steel tubes stiffened by sheet alloy riveted and bonded to it, forming the undertrays and bulkheads. The M1B body was designed by English motorsport artist Michael Turner. He also created the Team McLaren badge, using an image of the Kiwi, the iconic New Zealand flightless bird. Turner designed the M1B body using very strict guidelines laid down by Bruce, including a rigid set of cross sections and aerodynamic requirements. After the final drawings were made, a model was built for wind tunnel testing to improve lines and streamlining. Much attention was paid to the lift and drag characteristics. The M1B's front end was blunt, shaped like the Penske Zerex, to eliminate the uplift that had been apparent with the more wing-shaped M1A. A clear plexiglass spoiler was also added to the rear of the M1B to help with downforce.
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