On June 18, 1995 McLaren F1 GTR number 59 took the checkered flag at Le Mans. JJ Lehto, Yannick Dalmas and Masanori Sekiya shared driving duties for McLaren’s first victory at the 24-hour race.
F1s dominated at La Sarthe with three others finishing in the top five, and the win gave McLaren the much-coveted Triple Crown, adding to previous top-step results for the race team at the Indianapolis 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix.
Now, 30 years on, McLaren isn’t just popping a few champagne corks to celebrate. The company’s road car division is set to build 50 examples of an ultra-high spec 750S Le Mans as a tribute to car 59 (why not 59, we wonder?).
Two colors are offered: gray to match the victorious F1, or McLaren’s patent papaya orange. There’s a roof scoop to feed the unmolested 740-hp four-liter twin-turbo V-8 and funky five-spoke LM alloy wheels, but it’s the MSO (McLaren Special Operations) High Downforce Kit that’s the biggest news. The active rear spoiler is raised and features integral end plates, and there’s a bigger splitter at the front. Together these increase downforce by ten percent.
“This exclusive 750S is the first McLaren Le Mans edition since the F1 LM to feature HDK aerodynamic enhancements and is set to become one of our most sought-after supercars,” reckons Chief Commercial Officer Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer.
Inside, there’s a choice of gray or black for the carbon bucket seats, which come with six-point harnesses in contrasting blue as well as regular seat belts.
It’s only five years ago that the 720S also got the Le Mans treatment to mark 25 years since that big day in France, but since those sold out, it’s a no-brainer for McLaren to start the party once again. The timing of the launch also coincides with McLaren’s GT3 EVOs competing in Le Mans this year, and the announcement that it will join the Hypercar class in 2027.