Back in 2015, the McLaren P1 was introduced to the world as part of the exclusive trio known as the Holy Trinity, alongside the Ferrari LaFerrari and the Porsche 918 Spyder. It was a supercar that pushed the boundaries of performance and design. Nearly seven years later, Lanzante, a British service and restoration firm, embarked on a remarkable project to create an open-top version of the iconic McLaren P1. The project was initially announced in the summer of 2022, and now, the vehicle is ready to be delivered to its eagerly awaiting owner. Hagerty had a unique opportunity to take this exceptional creation for a quick spin.
Complex Transformation: At first glance, the P1 Spider might appear as a regular P1 with the roof removed, and that’s precisely the achievement of this ambitious project. However, beneath the surface, the transformation involved extensive work. Numerous components had to be refabricated, redesigned, or even built from the ground up. This includes the incorporation of carbon fiber buttresses, which now house newly developed air intakes and a removable roof cover. Remarkably, even the front fenders, doors, and engine cover were subtly modified to seamlessly preserve the original design essence, giving the impression that it rolled off the factory floor in this form.
Attention to Detail: The intricacies of the project go beyond these major changes. Smaller components had to be meticulously repositioned or redesigned, like the charging port, which now finds a new home. The interior received a comprehensive makeover, featuring a material called SuperFabric, known for its durability against weather and UV exposure. This choice underlines Lanzante’s vision for the P1 Spider as more than just a convertible; it’s meant to be a true Spider, to be driven with the top down most of the time. As Dean Lanzante, the son of the company’s founder Paul Lanzante, elaborates, “There will be a roof. But it will be some sort of a temporary roof to get you out of trouble.”
Preserving the McLaren Essence: To bring this vision to life while ensuring it remained unmistakably McLaren, Lanzante sought help from the experts. Paul Howse, the original designer of the P1, and Chris Goodwin, who was intimately involved in testing the supercar during its development at McLaren, lent their invaluable expertise. This collaboration not only ensures the P1 Spider looks like a genuine McLaren creation but also enhances its performance and overall feel.
