Photo Credit: Dave Benett
McLaren Automotive, the creator of luxury, high-performance sportscars and supercars, has for the first time ever donated a bespoke McLaren 570S Spider to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. In association with BVLGARI & Bob and Tamar Manoukian, the car was auctioned off on Wednesday, June 27 2018 at the Argento Ball. Every pound of the £725,000 it raised will be going to the Foundation to help with its goal of creating an AIDS-free future for everybody. The ball took place at Elton John’s home, Woodside in Berkshire UK, with Graham Norton as master of ceremonies and Ed Sheeran giving a special performance.
To mark the special occasion and to celebrate the Argento Ball’s silver anniversary, the 570S Spider was hand-sprayed in metallic ‘Blade Silver’. The 10-spoke lightweight alloy wheels are in contrasting Stealth finish while the carbon ceramic brake callipers were picked out in signature McLaren Orange. Inside, this bespoke 570S Spider features a ‘By McLaren’ Sport interior with Jet Black Nappa leather seats stitched with Carbon Black thread. The engine’s distinctive voice is further enhanced by the optional Sports Exhaust.
Photo Credit: Dave Benett
In addition to this bespoke 570S Spider, the anonymous winner of the lot will receive a personal tour of the McLaren Technology Centre by Amanda McLaren, the only child of founder Bruce McLaren and a brand ambassador for McLaren Automotive. Here, he or she will have an opportunity to witness the creation of a McLaren from behind the scenes – a money-can’t-buy- experience, as the Technology Centre is not open to the public. After the tour, Amanda will sign the car and wave the winner off around McLaren’s lake in their very own, bespoke McLaren 570S Spider.
Over the last 25 years, the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) has reached millions of people across 26 countries with the HIV information, support and care to save lives and prevent new cases. In addition, the foundation has prevented almost a million babies being born with the HIV virus and helped to leverage more than £300 million in additional funding from governments and funding partners.
Photo Credit: Greg Williams Photography
