Il y a 50 ans, une nouvelle écurie de Formule 1 appelée McLaren remportait sa première grande victoire. C'était au Grand Prix de Belgique de 1968 à Spa-Francorchamps, avec un Bruce McLaren au volant de la désormais célèbre McLaren M7A orange. C'est pour honorer cette étape importante que l'entreprise qui porte le nom de son fondateur propose désormais une édition limitée de sa 720S portant, entre autres, une teinte orange similaire à la monoplace des débuts. Son nom ? La McLaren 720S Spa 68. Un modèle qui restera très rare car seuls trois examplaires seront produits.
La McLaren 720S en action :
En plus de la peinture spéciale Anniversary Orange, qui évoque le Papaya Orange de la F1, McLaren Special Operations ajoute plusieurs autres touches qui rendent hommage à la première victoire en F1. Le tracé de célèbre piste de course belge de 14 km est dessiné en argenté à l'extérieur, juste devant les passages de roues arrière, en bas de la voiture. Comme on le faisait en 1968. Moins subtiles, les jantes ultralégères en noir satiné MSO Bespoke à 5 rayons, aux quatre coins, qui, selon McLaren, aident à "mettre en valeur la peinture orange de manière spectaculaire".
Galerie: McLaren 720S Spa 68 By MSO
On trouve évidemment d'autres détails intéressants à l'intérieur avec la piste de Spa, cette fois-ci brodée sur les appuis-tête. Cette fois, elle est de couleur orange et non plus argent, et le nom de la piste et l'année de la victoire sont également cousus. On retrouve aussi des coutures orange contrastées dans tout l'habitacle sombre, et une inscription spéciale en fibre de carbone sur les seuils de portières rend hommage à la victoire de Bruce McLaren, le 9 juin 1968. MSO fournit également un porte-clés spécial, et bien sûr il y a un badge spécial qui identifie la voiture comme étant de la collection Spa 68, avec son numéro de production inclus.
McLaren n'explique pas pourquoi seulement trois voitures sont prévues en production, mais c'est officiellement l'édition la plus exclusive jamais produite par MSO. De plus, la firme de Woking indique que deux voitures sont déjà réservées et qu'au moment où nous écrivons, il ne reste qu'une seule voiture à commander. Faites vite !
Source: McLaren
Bruce McLaren's winning legacy lives on as Belgian retailer commissions '720S Spa 68' three car collection by McLaren Special Operations
- McLaren Brussels commissions three 720S supercars in MSO Bespoke Anniversary Orange to honour the McLaren’s first Formula 1 Grand Prix victory at Spa
- Fifty years since Bruce McLaren recorded his team’s first win at the Belgian Grand Prix in 1968
- McLaren 720S Spa 68 Collection can be ordered now at McLaren Brussels
McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has completed a three-car retailer collection of bespoke McLaren 720S Coupés, commissioned by McLaren Brussels to mark a milestone in McLaren history. Among the most exclusive Super Series models to be offered by the Woking-based luxury sportscar and supercar manufacturer, the 720S trio honours McLaren’s debut Grand Prix victory 50 years ago, with company founder Bruce McLaren at the wheel.
Bruce McLaren recorded the first Formula 1 win for his fledgling team in the 1968 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, driving a McLaren M7A in signature Papaya Orange livery. Half a century on, the McLaren 720S Spa 68 Collection pays tribute to the achievement with a carefully-curated tailoring that’s sure to resonate with motorsport enthusiasts the world over.
Each of the three McLaren 720S Spa 68 Collection cars is finished in MSO Bespoke Anniversary Orange paint, formulated to echo the colour of the 1968 race car. The scene of the famous victory – the first of many that would make McLaren one of the most successful teams in the history of F1 – also features on the car in the form of a silver outline of the 14km Spa-Francorchamps track – as used in 1968 - ahead of the rear wheel arch and also embroidered onto the headrest.
From the McLaren Special Operations (MSO) Defined range, Extended Carbon Fibre Sill Covers are inscribed with the legend “1st McLaren F1 victory Belgian Grand Prix 9th June 1968 - Bruce McLaren”. Even the ignition key has an echo of the win with each of the MSO bespoke keys painted Anniversary Orange and featuring silver “Spa 68” text. All three cars also have a dedication plaque with its unique number.
MSO Bespoke Satin Black 5 Twin-Spoke Lightweight wheels set off the orange paintwork in dramatic fashion, while inside MSO Bespoke contrast stitching in McLaren Orange thread is specified – another nod to the colour so integral to the company’s winning heritage.
Bruce McLaren was acknowledged during the period as a master of Spa-Francorchamps. He had five top-three finishes in seven starts at the Belgian GP, but victory eluded him. That changed in 1968 when the ’Speedy Kiwi’ returned to the challenging Belgian circuit with a car of his own construction for the first time. Dicing with drivers such as Chris Amon, John Surtees and Jackie Stewart, Bruce McLaren lasted the distance to come home first after what was a race of attrition.
It was Bruce McLaren’s fourth Formula 1 career win but his first victory driving his own McLaren car, at that time making him only the third driver to win a Grand Prix in a car of his own design and construction. The victory set the McLaren team on a path to eight World Constructors' Championships and 12 World Drivers' Championships.
McLaren’s motorsport achievements and its Formula 1 technology informs the design and construction of every sportscar and supercar built in Woking. Featuring carbon fibre construction for exceptional lightness and strength and innovative aerodynamics, the 212mph, multiple award-winning McLaren 720S delivers extreme dynamic performance allied to the broadest range of supercar abilities in a luxury coupe that is just as at home on the track as it is on the road.
The McLaren 720S Spa 68 Collection cars is available from McLaren Brussels, however with two of the three having already found buyers, you’ll need to hurry in order to secure the final car in the collection.