The 'aubergine' supercar

If we walked into McLaren’s office and showed them a photo of an aubergine, a grand piano and Audrey Hepburn, it’s likely we’d be ejected through some soon-to-be-locked doors.

But for one (anonymous) wealthy customer, this act represented the start of a two-and-a-half-year project as the racing team agreed to build him a supercar inspired by his bizarre brief.

The McLaren X-1 is based on the chassis of McLaren’s MP4-12C, but has a bespoke Thunderbirds-esque MonoCell body.

If you’re picturing it on your own driveway, don’t bother. This is a one-off built by McLaren’s ‘Special Operations’ team, which creates bespoke vehicles for fat-walleted customers.

If you’re wondering, the aubergine was a texture guide and the piano dictated the sleek black framework, but we’re at a loss to explain Hepburn’s influence. Perhaps the client was citing her as his ideal passenger. But, let’s face it, no amount of cash or technical nous is going to make that dream a reality.