Made in BXL

Initiated last year, this McLaren Brussels project was not the result of pure chance. It was in fact in 1968, some 50 years ago, that Bruce McLaren and his team had their first victory in the Belgian Grand Prix. On the occasion of this anniversary, the Belgian car dealer has put three 720S supercars in service, of which two have already been sold. This initiative was developed under the supervision of McLaren Special Operations (MSO). MSO is located in Woking, on the outskirts of London, and it is they who finalised this limited series reserved for the Belgian market. A series which commemorates the team’s first victory and which, by the same occasion, pays homage to Bruce McLaren, the team’s founder, who was at the wheel of the racing car on the occasion of this first historical victory.

Excellent craftsmanship

The McLarens, which are assembled by hand in the Surrey factory, offer extremely dynamic performance and exceptional resistance. All these racing cars are equipped with an ultra-light carbon fibre chassis, a characteristic that constitutes the DNA of the brand. The prowess of these cars can of course be verified on a racing circuit, and also on the open road. You just have to test it to realise to what extent the 720S clearly transcends its function as a racing car and adapts to city or leisure driving as well as defining itself, more than ever, as the very essence of modernity in the automobile sector. Again emphasising its modernity, an MSO project presented at the last Geneva automobile show offered buyers the opportunity to personalise their McLaren by choosing the colour, the interior in leather or alcantara, the type of wheels, etc.

Orange is the new black

In 1968, the car that gave Bruce McLaren his victory, the first in a long list of victories won by the team that he formed – and which, subsequently, was to become one of the greatest winning teams in the history of F1 racing – was a McLaren M7A in the emblematic Papaya Orange. The trio of racing cars proposed by McLaren Brussels, veritable gems of mechanics and history reserved for true aficionados, are also in this same shade of orange that is now legendary. This paint colour, elegantly named MSO Bespoke Anniversary has been formulated especially to bring to mind the colour of the racing car of 1968. The Spa-Francorchamps racing circuit is also being honoured; the designers of this mini-collection have designed a silver outline of the track, a reference to the 14 km circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, positioned just in front of the back wheel. This detail is also embroidered on the head-rest. The extended threshold covers in carbon fibre carry the legendary inscription: “1^st victory of McLaren F1 in the Belgian Grand Prix, 9 June 1968 – Bruce McLaren”. Even the contact key echoes this victory as it is painted in the anniversary orange colour and is inscribed “Spa 68” in silver. Each of the three cars also has a commemorative plaque bearing its unique number. The MSO Bespoke Satin Black wheels with 5 lightweight double spokes emphasise the orange paint-work with energy and subtlety. For the interior, the MSO Bespoke contrasting seams in McLaren Orange thread are another reminder of the colour that is an integral part of the company’s heritage.

brussels.mclaren.com

“McLaren is currently distributed by 80 dealers in 30 markets, worldwide.”