The Story Behind McLaren’s 3-7-59 Theme

McLaren Automotive unveiled the intricately designed 3-7-59 Theme, a masterpiece crafted by the skilled paint technicians at McLaren Special Operations (MSO). The revelation took place during the debut of a special McLaren 750S supercar, presented by McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris, McLaren IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward, and former McLaren F1 driver Derek Bell, a two-time participant at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a McLaren F1 GTR. Michael McDonagh, Director of MSO and Motorsport at McLaren Automotive, joined the trio of drivers.

Introduced at the luxury motorsports festival, Velocity International, hosted at Sonoma Raceway in the USA, the 3-7-59 Theme pays homage to McLaren’s historic achievement of winning the unofficial ‘Triple Crown’ in motorsport – victories at the Indianapolis 500, the Monaco Grand Prix, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its unveiling marked a standout moment in the year-long celebrations commemorating the 60th anniversary of McLaren’s founding in 1963.

The 3-7-59 Theme, requiring over 1200 hours for its intricate paintwork, will be featured on six customer cars, all variations of the 750S coupe or Spider, and all of them already sold. The name “3-7-59 Theme” refers to the race numbers of the triumphant McLarens in each of the three Triple Crown victories: ‘3’ from the M16D at the 1974 Indy 500, ‘7’ from Alain Prost’s 1984 Monaco-winning McLaren MP4/2, and ’59’ from the McLaren F1 GTR’s victory at Le Mans in 1995.

The 3-7-59 Theme showcases McLaren’s paint expertise, incorporating over 20 colors to create a visually striking exterior that vividly represents the liveries of the three winning cars. The theme tells the Triple Crown story through detailed illustrations of the races and the victorious cars, pushing McLaren’s paint capabilities to new heights.

The 3-7-59 Theme extends its narrative beyond the exterior, with hand-painted artwork on the key fob mirroring the car’s exterior, and the car’s front drawing inspiration from the McLaren MP4/2’s white and red livery. Both sides pay homage to the 1995 Le Mans-winning McLaren F1 GTR, and a new technique, a blue ‘splash,’ adds a dynamic element.

The craftsmanship continues with Satin Black ultra-lightweight Vortex alloy wheels, alternating brake calipers, and hidden features such as QR codes, an electrochromic MSO logo, and exterior detailing made from silver leaf. The interior boasts Triple Crown logos, specially designed seats, carbon fiber accents, and unique details like laser-etched artwork on the pedals.