Crafting one-of-a-kind McLarens
Have you ever wanted to build your own supercar? Me too. When I finally win the lottery or invent something as cool as the avocado spoon, McLaren is who I am calling. The brand is famous for pioneering the use of carbon fibre in its vehicle production, and its introduction of the carbon chassis into racing and road cars (the 1981 McLaren MP4/1 and 1993 McLaren F1, respectively) was an unconventional choice that critics thought would never work but actually did. As if such grandeur needed an upgrade, McLaren began offering the worthy buyer a bespoke division, McLaren Special Operations (MSO), which is dedicated to taking ownership one step further.
Launched in 2011, MSO traces its origins all the way back to the launch of the McLaren F1 in 1992, a time before the establishment of McLaren Automotive. Determined to offer owners of (arguably) the world’s coolest car a customer care program as unique as the F1 itself, McLaren developed a personalization service for people who desired to tailor the F1 to their exact requirements. Fast forwarding to today, MSO offers five tiers of service, allowing almost limitless possibilities for any custom creation. Buying the McLaren is merely the start of the journey these days, with the MSO experience offering a one-of-a-kind mission to make something already special into so much more.
Frankly, it should come as no surprise that McLaren’s fearless reputation for achieving the impossible transitions so seamlessly into bespoke creations as well. These imposing machines are thoughtfully crafted around an owner’s precise taste, with opportunities for customization options or the building of ultra-exclusive, limited-edition, one-off models. Basically, if you can dream it, McLaren can build it. Though creating a unique car can and often does take an extra amount of time – anywhere from 6-9 months to 2-3 years depending on the level of customization – the wait is well worth the result.
“Challenging the art of what’s possible to meet the most demanding customer requirements, then subsequently delivering beyond that expectation, is integral to the service that McLaren Special Operations offers,” says Jolyon Nash, McLaren Automotive Executive Director, Global Sales and Marketing. “MSO provides McLaren owners with virtually limitless possibilities to tailor a car exactly to their needs and taste; unique paint colors and finishes, custom leather and stitching, and exotic materials are all available within a bespoke commission. And beyond this, there are opportunities to create vehicles designed to individual specification.”
We dare you to outdream their team.
Words By Kara Studzinski
