A golden era

Thanks to its lack of restrictions and lavish prize money, Can-Am enjoyed immense success in the 1960s and 1970s, attracting the biggest names and manufacturers in motorsport, none of which was more successful than Bruce McLaren and his eponymous team. Designed by McLaren Special Operations to pay tribute to the Kiwi’s efforts in the famous race series, the 650S ‘Can-Am’ has been subjected to a crash diet thanks to the extensive use of carbonfibre, including, for the first time, for the retractable hardtop. Other Can-Am-inspired features include special forged-alloy wheels, louvres atop the front wings, and a new quad exhaust set-up, designed to mimic the evocative intake trumpets found on the big Chevrolet-powered bangers.

Just 50 McLaren 650S ‘Can-Ams’ will be sold, priced at £255,850 and offered in Mars Red (the same as the M1B in which Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon raced in the debut Can-Am season), Papaya Spark, or Onyx Black. Deliveries will commence in Spring 2016.

Photos: McLaren