Dear Gentlemen,

for those with the money and the connections, 

you may never have to go to a car dealership again. 

Three years ago a certain buyer, who already owned a McLaren F1

and a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, contacted the manufacturer to ask for a vehicle,

similar to the MP4-12C but one that had a unique body that matched his personal tastes.

The result is the McLaren Special Operations X1, 

which shares the MP4-12C engine but has been blessed

with an all new chassis, wheels, headlights and taillights.

Designed by RCA graduate and McLaren stylist Hong Yeo,

under the guidance of design chief Frank Stephenson

and MSO Programme Director Paul MacKenzie,

the X1's influences extend from the automotive

- Facel Vega, Chrysler D'Elegance Ghia, Buick Electra,

Mercedes-Benz 540K and Citroën SM are among those name-checked -

to the architectural, including the Guggenheim museums in New York and Bilbao.

Airstream caravans, grand pianos, Audrey Hepburn

and a Thomas Mann Mont Blanc pen are also in the mix.

"The client liked the shiny texture of the finish," according to Stephenson.

That's the story about this new Supercar!

Yours faithfully,

The Gentleman

(seen at the website of GQ UK & PistonHeads)