Back in 1995 there was a famous British victory in torrential rain at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Winning at its first attempt was McLaren with a modified version of the McLaren F1 – one of the most celebrated supercars of all time. And preparing that winning car were the race engineers at Lanzante of Petersfield in Hampshire. Now they’ve produced their own supercar in tribute to that victory. Meet the Lanzante 95-59, named after the year of the win and the number of the winning car. And the crowd loved it on its track debut at the Goodwood Members’ Meeting.
Behind the wheel at Goodwood wasn’t just any gentle test driver minding the curbs and looking after the prototype. Instead, 1998 Indycar champion Kenny Bräck was in control, giving the 95-59 a full workout. Engine screaming, foot flat down the famous Lavant straight. For Dean Lanzante and his small team it was the best possible advertisement for well-heeled potential clients.
In tribute to the F1 – an example of which was parked up in the Lanzante garage at Goodwood – seating is three abreast, with the driver at the centre. If the supercar’s looks are vaguely familiar, that’s because it's based on the McLaren 750S, using a reworked version of the Woking firm’s Monocage carbon fibre chassis. Power unit is McLaren’s too: but the twin-turbo V8 now produces some 850 bhp, around 100 bhp up from the standard unit. The Lanzante is light, at just 1250 kg, meaning that the 95-59’s power-to-weight ratio beats that of the McLaren F1. As Kenny Bräck demonstrated, this is one fast machine.
A new direction
Lanzante have thought long and hard before introducing their bespoke supercar. McLarens have long been their speciality, with their engineers looking after - and on occasion modifying - multiple examples of the P1, Senna, F1 and others for well-heeled clients. Indeed, if you happen to have a McLaren supercar of any generation that needs a bit of loving care, Lanzante has long been the place to go.
Styling is high-end too. Design has been entrusted to the highly respected Paul Howse, who penned the P1 and P1 Spider. There’s a seven speed dual clutch gearbox, an active aero rear wing, and sculpted carbon fibre bodywork taking inspiration, say Lanzante, from the F22 fighter jet. Surprisingly, there’s practicality too, with luggage space under the front lid and behind the seats. Your trip to Cannes will include beach wear as well, then.
As you’d expect, this isn’t cheap transport. With just 59 to be made, you’re unlikely to see another, making a Ferrari or an actual McLaren look positively common. Want one? Scrape together £1.2m, plus a 750S McLaren donor car, and give the nice people at Lanzante a call. We’ll see you at Goodwood for cocktails after your fast laps.
