When compared to the Ferrari 458 Italia and its spiritual successors, the 650S and 675LT, the original McLaren 12C certainly isn’t the most highly regarded supercar ever produced.
While it offered immense performance straight from the factory, its numbness and lack of emotion meant it simply couldn’t compete with its Italian rivals.
Of course, the 12C’s failure to immediately rival the established competitors is hardly surprising considering it was McLaren Automotive’s first true production vehicle. During the car’s production run, McLaren did try to spice things up a bit with the release of the limited edition High Sport model and in mid-January, one will cross the auction block thanks to Mecum Auctions.
In total, just ten 12C High Sport variants were ever produced and this particular one was specially commissioned by McLaren chairman and chief executive Ron Dennis. It is chassis number 9 of the ten produced and has a special F1 Vodafone Racing team livery with just 208 miles on the clock. It also includes the optional Stealth Package, carbon ceramic brakes, carbon fiber engine package and sports exhaust.
Additionally, it has the same new front bumper and rear diffuser as the other 12C High Sport models and additional power, 675 hp in fact. This example also won the ‘Best British Import’ award at the Festivals of Speed at Amelia Island in 2014 and ‘Best in Show, People’s Choice’ at this year’s Festivals of Speed in St Petersburg, Florida.
Rather incredibly, Mecum estimates that it will sell for between $1.3 million and $1.6 million, but McLaren enthusiasts highly doubt such a figure will be achieved.
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