McLaren Unveils Project Viva by MSO – A One-of-One 750S Inspired by the Spirit of Las Vegas
Image: newspress.uk
Las Vegas, Nevada (November 13, 2025) – McLaren Automotive has revealed Project Viva, an extraordinary one-of-one McLaren 750S Spider created by McLaren Special Operations (MSO). The bespoke commission pays tribute to the culture, history, architecture, and electrifying atmosphere of Las Vegas, transforming the supercar into a rolling piece of hand-painted automotive art.
Project Viva stands as one of the most intricate and symbolically rich MSO projects ever produced — combining monochrome artistry, heritage storytelling, and dozens of hidden “easter eggs” that merge McLaren’s past with the energy of the Las Vegas Strip. The car is now on display at the McLaren Experience Centre inside the Wynn Las Vegas from November 13–20, ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
A Creative Masterpiece by MSO
MSO designed Project Viva as a showcase of its complete personalisation capabilities. Unlike typical Las Vegas-inspired concepts filled with neon colour, Viva takes the opposite approach:
Las Vegas, reinterpreted entirely in monochrome.
This deliberate inversion of expectation allows the car’s design story to unfold through hand-painted lines, graphic motifs, and symbolic references rather than through loud colours. Every detail was intentionally crafted to create a layered narrative that rewards close inspection.
According to Jonathan Simms, Director of McLaren Special Operations:
“Project Viva captures what MSO is all about — pushing beyond convention to create something truly personal. It’s where craft meets character, and where any inspiration can become a story told through design.”
Las Vegas Motifs: Culture, Nightlife, Architecture
Project Viva incorporates a variety of easter eggs that celebrate the icons of Las Vegas:
Nightlife, Signs & Entertainment
Neon arrows mimic the city’s historic hand-built neon signs.
“Welcome to Fabulous MSO” reimagines Vegas’ world-famous welcome sign on the front bonnet.
A hidden “Fabulous” motif appears beneath the rear wing.
Stylised playing cards on the rear panel subtly form the “750S” lettering.
Music notes scattered across the lower body represent airflow and the city’s performance culture.
A playful cartoon cactus adds a touch of Nevada desert charm.
Image: newspress.uk
Architecture & Landmarks
Pyramid-inspired geometry references Vegas’ iconic architecture.
Fountain line-work flows into the front bumper intake, symbolising the Strip’s landmark fountains.
Desert landscape linework on the rear echoes Nevada’s terrain.
A discreet Nevada state outline is integrated within the skyline graphic.
Stars drawn from the American flag celebrate the car’s debut in the US.
McLaren Heritage Hidden Throughout the Design
Project Viva also honours McLaren’s racing legacy through deeply integrated easter eggs:
Founding Years (1905 & 1963): A pair of dice references the birth years of Las Vegas and McLaren.
Ten Constructors’ Championship Stars: Added to the rear bumper — nine in white, one in silver leaf — hand-applied by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to celebrate McLaren’s 10th Constructors’ title (won in Singapore 2025).
Ten silhouettes of championship-winning McLaren cars map across the bodywork.
Bruce McLaren’s Muriwai Trophy (#58) adorns the front right arch.
Bruce McLaren’s 1970 racing helmet, painted within a heart motif, honours the emotional core of the brand.
The original Speedy Kiwi emblem appears beside an evolved version embedded in the racetrack graphics.
Interior sills include hand-signed messages from Norris and Piastri.
These elements merge McLaren’s historic victories with its modern identity, embedding decades of heritage into a contemporary canvas.
MSO Paintwork: Vegas Nights & Muriwai White
Two bespoke MSO paint shades play a key role:
Vegas Nights
Developed exclusively for Project Viva, this deep black tone contains microscopic flecks of:
Cyan
Magenta
Green
The finish appears nearly monochrome in shade, but under direct light reveals the shimmering glow of the Las Vegas skyline at night.
Muriwai White
Featured within the Muriwai House motif — the childhood environment of Bruce McLaren — the colour carries a faint blue sparkle inspired by the beaches of Muriwai, New Zealand.
Together, the colours blend McLaren history with Las Vegas culture, forming the visual foundation of the commission.
“Sketch in Motion”: Art Brought to Life
Project Viva is the first McLaren to feature MSO’s new “Sketch in Motion” concept.
This approach translates the free-flowing strokes of a designer’s early drawings directly onto the body of the 750S. Each line is hand-painted, preserving the raw emotion and momentum of the original sketchwork.
The result is a living illustration:
a supercar that looks as if it is still in motion even when standing still.
Display at the Las Vegas Grand Prix
From November 13–20, Project Viva forms part of McLaren’s week-long presence at the Wynn Las Vegas, coinciding with the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Visitors to the McLaren Experience Centre can view the car up close, along with exhibits showcasing MSO craftsmanship and McLaren’s design philosophy.
The one-of-one commission further demonstrates McLaren’s strategy to strengthen brand presence around global motorsport moments, connecting racing heritage with bespoke automotive art.
Conclusion
Project Viva is more than a customised McLaren 750S — it is a fully realised design story.
A fusion of:
Las Vegas culture
McLaren racing history
Artistic craftsmanship
Advanced paint techniques
This one-off MSO creation stands as a testament to how deeply emotional, symbolic, and personal modern bespoke automotive design can become. With Viva, the McLaren 750S transforms into an artistic narrative on wheels, celebrating heritage and innovation in perfect balance.
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