By alley - Oct 9, 2015, 11:34 AM ET

McLaren celebrates 50-year anniversary of the Can-Am with limited-run 650S Can-Am

Throughout the 1960s and '70s, McLaren established itself as a world-beating force in the most extreme form of motorsport, the Can-Am Challenge Cup, where McLaren won five consecutive championships between 1967 and 1971. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the series, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has created a special edition of the 650S Spider, inspired by the cars that won these championships. Just 50 examples of the 650S Can-Am will be produced globally, with deliveries to commence in the spring of 2016 – 50 years after the first race was held.

The Can-Am series, or Canadian-American Challenge Cup, was a battle of power and speed around some of the most iconic circuits in North America. It attracted the biggest stars of that generation including Bruce McLaren, the namesake of the McLaren brand. The championship started in 1966, only a year after Bruce McLaren Motor Racing was established, and in the years that followed McLaren became one of most successful names in the sport.

As was key to the success of the Can-Am racecars, the latest technologies and materials are used throughout the new 650S Can-Am. While lightweight materials such as aluminum and Mallite were used extensively in the historic racecars, the modern 650S features carbon fiber extensively. In addition to its lightweight MonoCell chassis, the 650S Can-Am features a carbon fiber retractable hard top – a first for a McLaren road car. Carbon fiber is also used for the hood, Airbrake, front splitter, rear bumper center, door blades and the 650S Can-Am branded sill cover. The bespoke set of lightweight forged alloy wheels was inspired by the Can-Am race cars, with a gloss black finish on each of the five spokes and a diamond cut rim. Held in place by titanium bolts, the wheels – 19-inch at the front, 20-inch at the rear – are shod with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires, in front of carbon ceramic brakes with black calipers.

Further inspiration from the Can-Am racers sees carbon fiber louvered front wings and a new quad-exit stainless steel exhaust system. The louvered front wings are designed to reduce pressure over the front wheels, increasing downforce, while the four polished tailpipes at the rear of the car, housed within a new visual carbon fiber rear grille, echo the aggressive and purposeful throttle trumpets of the historic models, and provide the 650S Can-Am with a unique soundtrack.

Based on the 650S Spider, this limited edition model features the award-winning 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 which produces 641hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. Performance and economy figures remain the same, with the zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint taking just three seconds and a top speed of 204 mph, while returning 18mpg (EPA combined).

The 650S Can-Am is offered in three colors, each inspired by a historic Can-Am livery. Premiering in Mars Red, the color has been matched to the M1B raced by Bruce McLaren and his teammate Chris Amon for the debut season. The pair raced in the first ever Can-Am race in Mars Red, with Amon holding the honor of leading the very first lap in the number 5 car which inspires the optional livery. Other colors available are Papaya Spark – a modern and heavily metallic take on the famous Can-Am racing McLaren Orange – and Onyx Black – used by many of the McLaren customer teams in the later seasons. All three color options are available with a livery to match their historic racing counterparts.

Inside, sports seats are upholstered with leather and Alcantara to complement the exterior color, alongside colored seatbelts and further carbon fiber highlights throughout the cabin. The interior of the special edition model is marked out with a unique dedication plaque on the driver's door.

"Can-Am racing is a major part of McLaren heritage, and this latest model from MSO pays homage to the cars and the racers who played a key role in making the championship such a spectacle during the 1960s and '70s," said Paul Mackenzie, Executive Director of McLaren Special Operations. "The championship was a true test of engineering ability, driving talent and bravery, which Bruce and his teammates showed they had in spades, dominating the sport and securing five consecutive championships."

"The 650S Can-Am is a modern day interpretation with a mixture of functional design features taken from the all-conquering models, combined with the lightest and most pioneering materials available, as was the case with the race cars. The use of lightweight visual carbon fiber extensively, including for the retractable hard top for the first time, adds to the dramatic appearance of the car, and with the roof down, drivers are treated to a stirring V8 soundtrack as Bruce and his teammates enjoyed at every race," Mackenzie added.