By Mike Torpey on 2014-08-06 - Driving Force news editor and responsible for organising our daily output. He was staff motoring editor of the Liverpool Echo for 20 years.
McLaren tees up a
power drive
THE 18 hole at California's picturesque Pebble Beach golf course is about to witness a drive like never before.
But it won't be Rory McIlroy or Tiger Woods ripping up the famous fairway.
Instead the cheers will be for McLaren Special Operations and their unique examples of the recently launched MSO 650S Spider and fire-breathing P1 hypercar.
The bespoke MSO division was launched in 2011 and offers a full personalisation service for McLaren owners.
And commissioned by a North American customer, the P1 to be shown for the first time at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance features a host of bespoke options.
This unique example of the 916PS, 217mph flyer has been modified to mark it out from the other 170 examples which have been built to date.
At the front, silver finishing to the aluminium radiator grilles sit below the gloss carbon fibre bumper while above, a McLaren Orange speedmark adorns the bonnet.
The bodywork is finished in exclusive Stirling Grey, with the metallic finish complemented by gloss carbon fibre and orange accents.
Along the profile of the car, brake callipers finished in the heritage colour are mounted behind body-coloured alloy wheels.
The car's rear is enhanced further by 24 carat gold heatshields around the engine bay and exhaust.
The material was originally used on the McLaren F1 of the 1990s and still used today on company's F1 cars, due to its reflective and heat resistance qualities.
MSO is also showcasing a one-off version of the 650S Spider, based on the exclusive MSO 650S which made its debut last month at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
It is one of just 50 examples with unique styling upgrades, including extensive satin-finished carbon fibre, while the exterior has been finished in Cerulean Blue, a bright paint which includes a heavy metallic flake.
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