For McLaren, the P1 represented a watershed moment in the history of the company. Having just returned to road-car production with their spectacular MP4-12C sports car, McLaren was poised to produce a “new F1”—a car that would proudly reaffirm the company’s place in the upper echelon of ultra-exclusive, high-performance marques. Staying true to its roots, McLaren sought to keep weight to an absolute minimum, which resulted in the development of a carbon monocoque chassis that tipped the scales at only 200 pounds.

The unique carbon-ceramic disc brakes, developed in conjunction with Akebono, are infused with silicon-carbide to help dissipate heat and are capable of absorbing 50 percent more energy than those on the MP4-12C. Adding to the effectiveness of the brakes, the McLaren P1 utilizes Brake Steer. This system applies the brakes to the car’s inside-rear wheel when cornering above a certain threshold, which brings the P1’s nose closer to the apex.

While the combustion engine superficially appears nearly identical to that seen in the earlier MP4-12C, there is in fact nothing further from the truth. The block is a completely different unit from an entirely new casting and boasts dry-sump lubrication with a low-sited flat-plane crankshaft. The mid-mounted 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-8 itself produces 717 horsepower at 7,300 rpm and 531 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm.

In most hybrids, the electric motor is intended to provide an alternate source of power for greater fuel efficiency. However, electric motor in the P1 serves to “torque-fill,” supplementing the normal gaps where the conventional engine would fail to produce peak performance—such as during gearshifts or at low rpms while the turbochargers are spooling up—to always provide the driver with maximum power. The electric motor produces 176 horsepower, bringing total output to an incredible 893 horsepower and combined maximum torque of 664 pound-feet.

The P1 also benefits from an intentional focus on providing exceptional aerodynamic efficiency, which was achieved via adjustable front and rear spoilers that offer as much as 1,300 pounds of downforce at speeds well below the P1’s peak. But it is the P1’s hybrid powertrain that really defines the model, and which lies at the heart of the model’s magnificent performance potential.

Despite the complexity of this new McLaren and its reliance on cutting-edge electronics, the wizards of Woking managed to create something that was much more than the sum of its high-tech components—a fact immediately recognized by motoring journalists upon its release. “What is so remarkable about the P1, of which 375 will be made,” wrote Mike Duff in the August 2014 issue of Car and Driver, “is its ability to corral a 727-hp twin-turbo V-8, a 177-hp electric motor fed by a lithium-ion battery pack, and a mass of power electronics into a cohesive whole that manages to smoothly and easily deliver a uniquely extreme speed experience.”

ONE OF 375—AND ONE-OF-ONE

McLaren unveiled the P1 in March 2013, and all 375 customer slots were filled within eight months. Rarer than the LaFerrari and 918 Spyder, each P1 is uniquely specified with an unbounded volume of special equipment available from McLaren Special Operations.

However, not all P1s are created equal. Chassis 108 is a US-specification bespoke creation ordered new by the Dare to Dream Collection and inspired by the legendary Gulf Oil livery found on some of the most iconic race cars of the 20th Century. As shown on the window sticker, over $100,000 of additional McLaren Special Operations equipment was specified during the build of this wonderous creation for a total suggested retail price of $1,284,423.

On the exterior, a base layer of light blue paint is complemented by an orange center stripe and pinstriping across the front splitter, side skirts, and rear diffuser. Within the ultra-lightweight forged wheels, orange brake calipers complete the exterior livery. The interior features a great level of detail, with the exterior theme expressed throughout the cabin. Carbon Black leather seats with Carbon Black Alcantara inserts are bordered by orange contrast stitching, and the headrests are finished with embroidered P1 logos in orange. A blue and orange racing stripe at the top of the full Carbon Black Alcantara steering wheel matches bespoke DRS and iPAS buttons. This colored detail is mirrored on the handling and powertrain controls within the Satin Finish carbon fiber center console. Lastly, floor mats with orange stitching and body-color P1 badges round off the interior treatments.

The totality of this specification presents as a stunning and unique display of McLaren Special Operation’s ability to tailor their cars to fulfill each and every one of their clients’ wishes. This P1 certainly stands alone as a truly special creation.

Chassis 108 was delivered new to the Dare to Dream Collection via The Collection McLaren of Coral Gables, Florida; it has seen very modest road use, with just 1,913 showing on the odometer at the time of cataloging. Invoices dating back to 2014 confirm the car received routine maintenance at McLaren dealerships, with the most recent document from January 2024 noting the driver’s side door latch was replaced. It is accompanied today by its battery charger and hardcover owner’s manual in box.

The 2015 McLaren P1 on offer perfectly represents the “dare to dream” ethos that has given the entire collection its name. Bespoke and tailored to the wishes of the owner, this Gulf Oil livery-inspired creation is destined to be a sought-after automobile for decades to come.