Project Viva by MSO, a new specially built McLaren supercar, is a visual feast. The commissioned one-of-one vehicle is a McLaren 750S Spider super sports roadster designed by McLaren Spacial Operations (MSO), the company’s bespoke creations division, and inspired by the Las Vegas Grand Prix, a Formula One race that will take place on November 22.
Instead of opting for neon colors traditionally associated with Las Vegas. the bespoke car wears intricate monochrome paintwork that features hand-crafted art. The color scheme of Muriwai White and Vegas Nights isn’t plain, however.
The Muriwai White paint color ties into the heritage of McLaren. It was first created for the 570S Spider and inspired by the whitewashed blue doors of company founder Bruce McLaren’s family home in Walton-on-Thames in the UK. The color has a “subtle blue sparkle” the automaker says, “symbolizing the sea at Muriwai Beach, New Zealand, where Bruce first discovered his passion for racing.”
Vegas Nights is a color developed by MSO especially for the build that features a deep black finish infused with flecks of cyan, magenta and green, invoking the colors of Las Vegas after dark. The color appears monotone from a distance but when light is hits it, the paint becomes luminous.
Nods to Las Vegas and the U.S. include references to the city’s iconic skyline, an outline of the state of Nevada, stars on the right bumper inspired by the American flag, a cartoon-style cactus, a “Fabulous” motif hidden beneath the rear wing is a nod to the city’s iconic sign, playing cards, a wedding chapel outline, and a token commemorating the 120th anniversary of the founding of the city.
The car’s design scheme doesn’t just showcase Las Vegas, it has personal touches that relate to McLaren’s F1 season. The company has already secured its tenth Constructors’ World Championship this year, and is poised to also take the the FIA Formula One World Drivers’ Championship trophy home.
McLaren Formula 1 Team drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri contributed their own hand-applied details to the car, the company said noting that hand-finished messages and signatures can be found on the model’s interior sills. They currently sit 1-2, respectively, in Drivers’ Championship standings. Past champion Max Verstappen is third.
The car also has further nods to Bruce McLaren, including the design of the Muriwai Trophy, a trophy gifted to Bruce by New Zealand’s Muriwai community, and imagery of Bruce’s racing helmet and a Speedy Kiwi emblem.
The McLaren 750S Project Viva will be displayed from November 13-20 at the Wynn Las Vegas Hotel inside the McLaren Experience Center ahead of the Grand Prix.