McLaren MP4-12C High Sport in F1 Racing Livery

Special edition MP4-12C High Sport is even more special as it was commissioned by McLaren’s CEO Ron Dennis.

The McLaren MP4-12C High Sport edition was originally only going to be a 5 car run. But, 10 were made in total and only 1 was made in the McLaren F1 teams Vodaphone sponsor livery. That particular MP4-12C High Sport is going up for auction with Barrett-Jackson in January of 2019. It’s a particularly special McLaren because not only is it 1 of 10 in the Vodaphone colors, but it’s also the only one commissioned by McLaren CEO and all round motorsport legend, Ron Dennis.

The MP4-12C High Sport editions were prepped by the bespoke McLaren Special Operations division and feature some improvements over the regular MP4-12C. The mid-mounted 3.8-liter V8 has the twin-turbos tuned up to bring it by 75 horses to 675 horsepower. The body features an improved aero package inspired by the MP4-12C GT3 race car. That includes a new nose, rear bumper, enlarged vents, a modified rear wing, a larger diffuser, and diamond-cut racing wheels. The overall effect brings more downforce, less drag, better brake and tire cooling, and a marked improvement in intercooler performance.

This MP4-12C High Sport edition also has the Stealth Package, sport exhaust, a carbon-fiber engine package, and carbon-ceramic brakes. Adding to chassis number 9’s exclusivity, it also has only 350 driven miles on the chassis and signatures from McLaren team drivers and pit crew on the underside of the hood.

Chassis number 9 was valued in 2015 at around $1.5 million but it’s hard to tell what a car this special will actually sell for. According to Barrett-Jackson, it’s well documented and has won several awards at car shows and will, no doubt, keep on doing so. We suspect it will only keep going up in value.

Photos: Barrett-Jackson

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Ian Wright

Ian Wright has been a professional automotive writer for over two years and is a regular contributor to Corvette Forum, Jaguar Forums, and 6SpeedOnline, among other popular auto sites.

Ian's obsession with cars started young and has left him stranded miles off-road in Land Rovers, being lost far from home in hot hatches, going sideways in rallycross cars, being propelled forward in supercars and, more sensibly, standing in fields staring at classic cars. His first job was as a mechanic, then he trained as a driving instructor before going into media production.

The automotive itch never left though, and he realized writing about cars is his true calling. However, that doesn’t stop Wright from also hosting the Both Hand Drive podcast.

Ian can be reached at bothhanddrive@gmail.com