Spectacular McLaren 750S JC96 evokes JGTC F1

Japan-only special edition channels Lark F1 GTR in both Coupe and Spider forms

Here’s a way to spend an awful lot of time on the internet: watch old videos of the All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC), specifically those from the 1990s and early 2000s. Alongside all your favourite Gran Turismo heroes, from Skyline to Supra, there are also some very cool surprises - think Ferrari F40. All on those iconic racetracks: Suzuka, Fuji, Motegi and so on.

Therefore when McLaren decided it was going to create a special edition supercar just for Japan, there was only one place to turn for inspiration. Because like every sportscar championship during the mid-1990s, JGTC was invaded by the McLaren F1. Specifically there were Lark-liveried GTRs that swept aside all comers in some style, and that’s the car - specifically the #61 example, driven by John Neilsen and David Brabham to the 1996 JGTC Driver’s title - that McLaren is paying homage to with the new 750S JC96.

Available as either a Coupe or Spider, this car is “our love letter to McLaren in Japan”, according to CCO Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer. The ‘96 gets new Ultra-Lightweight forged wheels inspired by the Longtail F1s, plus an MSO HDK (High Downforce Kit), designed to emulate the aerokit on an F1 GTR 30 years ago. It comprises a new bumper, splitter, higher rear spoiler and a ‘body colour underwing panel’. It’s the first time this HDK has been offered for the 750S Spider.

There’s plenty more for the JC cars, too, including F1 Gold calipers, model-specific accents, a titanium exhaust finisher, body coloured carbon front wings with louvres and painted details throughout. Sadly Tarmac Grey and Rocket Pink aren’t on the menu, instead there’s Memphis Red, Ice White, Titanium Silver and Graphite Grey to choose from. For the full tribute act, there’s a hand-painted JC96 Tribute Livery available, though only four cars will get this. MSO are just going to MSO sometimes.

The special sauce has been liberally applied inside as well, with gold for the pedals, drive switches and the JC96 plaque. All of the 61 examples will get something called a JC96 Performance full Alcantara interior, with a choice of contrast stitching. It looks appropriately extreme for a car celebrating the achievements of a racer.

This being an MSO special, too, the JC96 standard spec is really the start of the personalisation journey. Extras include something called a McLaren Track Record Plaque, which is titanium and goes in the front luggage compartment. Just like an F1 had, see. Buyers can also have an MSO Interior Livery Theme Pack, Extended Carbon Fibre Door Sills, F1 GTR Inspired Bespoke Painted Centre Caps and even a Bespoke Painted Vehicle Key.

Possibly that seems a bit much, though McLaren is hardly alone in doing this. Let’s not lose sight of this being a very nicely specced 750S (one of the modern supercar greats), made to look like one of the best liveried McLaren F1s that ever there was. Bespoke Painted Vehicle Key or not, it’s going to be awesome.

It makes more sense, too, with some additional context from Wilhelmsmeyer: “Our Japanese clients demand track-inspired performance but without compromising on the tailor-made personalisation and attention to detail that truly makes a McLaren their McLaren. The 750S JC96 blends these demands perfectly, while offering for the first time the enhanced track performance of the MSO HDK with the sensations delivered by a benchmark beating convertible supercar for those who opt for a 750S JC96 Spider.” They’ll likely have no trouble shifting the 61 in short order. Customers can likely expect their 750S JC96s in time for the 30th anniversary of the F1’s success next year.