For decades, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán built one of the most powerful and feared drug empires in the world. The leader of the Sinaloa Cartel lived a life of unimaginable wealth, hoarding gold-plated firearms, private zoos, and some of the rarest cars on the planet. Among them was one of the most controversial McLaren F1s ever built—chassis #39—a car that disappeared after his lieutenant was gunned down, leaving behind a mystery that has puzzled car collectors and cartel historians alike.
A Car Too Ugly for McLaren’s CEO
The McLaren F1 chassis #39 was completed in late 1995 and is widely considered one of the oddest-looking F1s ever made. Painted in Brazilian Metallic Brown with a red leather interior and gold wheels, it was originally purchased by McLaren CEO Ron Dennis. However, his wife reportedly hated the color scheme so much that she refused to let him keep it. Dennis quickly offloaded the car and ordered another one.
By 1997, the McLaren had made its way to Mexico, falling into the hands of Umberto Ojeda, also known as Ricardo Beltran or “El Robachivas,” El Chapo’s top lieutenant. For a man who operated in extreme wealth and violence, the rare McLaren F1 fit perfectly into his lifestyle.
Murder, Secrecy, and a Lost Supercar
Ojeda’s time behind the wheel of chassis #39 didn’t last long. In 2000, he was ambushed and gunned down inside his armored car. His family, fearing both the cartel and the authorities, hid the McLaren F1, but there was one major problem—Ojeda never told anyone where the keys were.
For years, rumors spread about the lost McLaren. Some claimed it was hidden under a tarp in rural Culiacán, untouched for years. Others believe it was quietly driven and possibly even made road-legal in Mexico. Unlike many of El Chapo’s other assets, the F1 was never officially seized by the Mexican government.
The Hunt for the El Chapo McLaren
The search for chassis #39 took a new turn when YouTuber and car collector Ed Bolian, best known for his VINWiki channel, set out to track down the missing supercar. His investigations led him to various leads, including individuals who claimed to have seen the car in recent years.
Then, a breakthrough—or so it seemed. Bolian was contacted by a man claiming to be Ojeda’s father, who said his granddaughter had access to the F1. The car, he said, was for sale—for $5 million. Bolian, knowing the risks, negotiated the price down to $2.5 million and scrambled to figure out how he could afford it.
But the deeper he dug, the shadier the deal became. The seller refused to provide clear, verifiable photos, sending only blurry or irrelevant images. When pressed for proof, the seller threatened to cut off all communication unless Bolian wired a deposit immediately. In a final attempt to legitimize the deal, the man invited Bolian to come to Sinaloa to see the car in person—on the condition that he bring the full cash payment.
A Scam, a Dead End, and Unfinished Business
Realizing he was dealing with a scam, Bolian played along, mocking the scammer for using Google images and photos of a McLaren F1 kit car in a weak attempt to trick him. Ultimately, the deal fell apart, and the so-called seller disappeared.
But the hunt for the El Chapo McLaren isn’t over. Bolian believes Ojeda’s son, now living in New York City, may have real information about the car’s whereabouts. If true, it could be the key to finally solving the decades-old mystery of the lost F1.
A Legend Still Waiting to be Found
The McLaren F1 is one of the most coveted supercars in history, and chassis #39, with its bizarre backstory, cartel connections, and decades-long disappearance, may be one of the most valuable of them all. If it ever resurfaces, it would be worth well over $20 million, making it one of the most sought-after barn finds of all time.
For now, the car remains a ghost, buried somewhere in the underworld of crime and secrecy. But one thing is certain—whoever finds it won’t just be holding a rare piece of automotive history. They’ll be holding a piece of the cartel’s dark and twisted legacy.