Merit Partners is pleased to present one of the most historically significant McLaren P1’s, chassis VP4. In 2012, the P1 was first shown to the world at the Paris Motor Show. Following the success of the mighty F1, McLaren Automotive ventured into road cars with the MP4-12C in 2010. As the second of the line of modern McLarens, the P1 was the first Ultimate Series car. In the era of the holy trinity of hypercars, the P1 stood out from the Ferrari LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder. With a twin-turbocharged V8, paired with an electric motor, and high-performance battery, the P1 is capable of 903 horsepower. McLaren produced 375 standard production road cars and 22 prototypes.

This P1 is significant because it is one of the 15 remaining P1 prototypes globally. VP4, otherwise known as Validation Prototype 04, is one of just 5 validation prototype P1’s. VP4 began life as an amethyst black car with gray wheels and a black interior. In this form, VP4 made the dynamic debut of the P1 at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed. With famed Formula One driver Jensen Button behind the wheel, the P1 had a hill climb time of 53 seconds. After appearing in several other press events, this prototype was retired and went out of commission.

In 2015, after P1 production had culminated, a prominent collector purchased six P1 prototypes including VP4. The cars were stripped and VP4 was re-sold to an Atlanta area collector. This allowed the buyer to spec the car anew. The buyer chose to have McLaren body the car in exposed carbon with Volcano Yellow painted over in most areas. The exposed carbon and paint combination made VP4 one of the most expensive P1 road cars ever. VP4 was also fitted with other bespoke options, such as the modification to be capable of driving in Race Mode 2. Race Mode 2 was only made available to a handful of P1s, and allows the car to be driven in race mode that is not lowered to the ground. The car was also fitted with euro-style headlights, that do not have the amber reflectors like traditional US specification cars.

After we sold VP4 to the current owner, the collector who had the original parts to 6 prototypes offered us original components of VP4. We have written documentation supporting the below. As shown in the pictures, the VP4 owner purchased these parts from the original prototype car:

Engine including e-motor, gear box and engine a-frame. Engine number as 181212. Transmission number as P17.

Trim and components: MRM (turn indicators), headlining, speaker trim, visors, hockey stick, center console, pillar trim, carpet, kick panels, and two seats, misc interior pieces.

Mechanicals: VP4 Silver wheels and tires, wing mechanical assembly (with pump, pot, solenoids, etc.), damper set, brake and throttle pedal, pair of rear hubs with drive shafts, pair of upper and lower rear arms, pair of front hubs, pair of upper and lower front arms, brake calipers (4), brake discs (2 fronts, 2 rears).

All of these parts are offered in combination with the car today. At the time of writing, VP4 has covered 5,300 miles. As a part of the P1’s history, VP4 and its accompanying parts will pass on the legacy of the iconic hypercar.