McLaren will throw the spotlight on an historic Can-Am racer as well as a special edition inspired by the legendary championship, at next month’s inaugural Gulf Concours in Dubai, UAE.

Can-Am (Canada-America) racing was based in North America from 1966 to 1974 and gave engineers the freedom to design and build the most powerful cars with the best aerodynamics.

The British sports carmaker dominated the series, winning five consecutive championships between 1967 and 1971.

The 1966 McLaren M1B Can-Am was one of the most successful race cars of its era and for its 50th birthday, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has immortalised it by creating the limited edition 650S Can-Am that’s restricted to just 50 units and is based on the 650S Spider.

The new, twin-turbocharged V8, 650S Can-Am will be on display for the first time alongside its mentor, the 1966 Mars Red, M1B Open Cockpit which was designed and built by Bruce McLaren and Robin Herd and is powered by a 340bhp Oldsmobile-badged, Chevrolet V8.

New Zealand born McLaren was a fan of the Can-Am series which attracted the best drivers of the time including Denny Hulme, Graham Hill, John Surtees and Jackie Stewart and so entered himself and his Formula One driver, Chris Amon in this car.

This M1B is the first McLaren Can-Am car built and it holds the honour of leading the opening lap of the first ever Can-Am race which was run at the Circuit Mont-Tremblant in Quebec on September 11, 1966.

The new 650S takes inspiration from this very car and continues its pioneering use of the latest materials and technologies by incorporating a carbon fibre retractable hard top for the first time, while further carbon fibre is used for the bonnet, Airbrake, front splitter, rear bumper, door blades and 650S Can-Am branded sill cover.

MSO has also created a unique set of lightweight forged alloy wheels inspired by the 1960’s racer and further unique Can-Am features such as the louvered front wings and a new quad exit, polished stainless steel exhaust system. 

“Can-Am racing is a major part of McLaren heritage and this latest model from MSO pays homage to the cars and racers who played a key role in making the championship such a spectacle during the 1960’s and ‘70’s,” Executive Director of McLaren Special Operations, Paul Mackenzie said.

In addition to the Can-Am specials, McLaren will also be displaying its newest entry into the luxury sports car market with the 570S Coupé that represents the first model to be launched in the company’s new Sports Series.

The 570S Coupé made its global debut at the New York International Motor Show last year and is the most useable and attainable model to wear the McLaren badge, marking the entry point into McLaren supercar ownership.

Maintaining the tradition of being powered by a twin-turbocharged V8, the 570S Coupé continues the hallmark of McLaren’s road cars by incorporating race-derived technologies for the street including its carbon fibre chassis and lightweight construction.

The inaugural Gulf Concours will be on the lawns of the Burj Al Arab from November 17 to 19. It is expected to become one of the world’s most noted concours d’ elegance events, according to Thorough Events Singapore, the organiser.

It will be also a part of Dubai 2020, attracting the wealthiest collectors and connoisseurs from within the region and around the globe, it says. 

Admission to display and view is by invitation only.