If you're a keen follower of McLaren road cars and already own an F1, SLR and MP4-12C, then what do you buy next? The answer, it would seem, is that you commission McLaren to build a bespoke car especially for you.
That's how the X-1, which was unveiled today at Pebble Beach in Monterey, USA, came in to existence. It's the creation of McLaren Special Operations (MSO), a division of McLaren Automotive that is responsible for delivering bespoke projects.
The car is based on the MP4-12C supercar and so uses McLaren's carbon-fibre MonoCell tub. Paul MacKenzie, MSO Programme Director, explained how the project came to fruition: "The conversation began with our Executive Chairman Ron Dennis almost three years ago − before the 12C was even launched. The client wanted a machine that had all the capability of the 12C but wrapped in a unique body that reflected his needs and personality."
An initial meeting with MacKenzie and Frank Stephenson, McLaren Design Director, resulted in hundreds of images covering everything from cars and architecture to fashion and film being presented to the customer, which were then narrowed down to a "mood book".
"The client wanted a competition between external designers – some outside the automotive world – and McLaren's own designers," said Stephenson. Among the vehicles studied were a 1961 Facel Vega, a 1953 Chrysler D'Elegance Ghia, a 1959 Buick Electra, a 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K and a 1971 Citroën SM, while design classics from outside the automotive world included the Guggenheim museums in New York and Bilba, an Airstream trailer and a grand piano.
It's not bad looking but its certainly not got any Mclaren heritage influence (like those one off Ferrari's), the guy could have picked any car as the donor. Should have used a Bugatti as it would have been a better fit for the look.
