For the 1971 CanAm season, the new official McLarens were called M8F, while the abbreviation M8E was used for cars destined for private teams. The M8F was longer than the 1970 M8C and the body shape hadn't changed that much. The displacement of the Chevrolet engine had been increased to 8.1 liters and the power units were prepared by Gary Knutson. The power of the Reynolds aluminum engine was around 740 horsepower. The M8F would be also campaigned by privateers also in the European Interserie championship.