Gordon Murray’s S1 LM Chassis #1 just shattered auction records.
The ultra-rare hypercar sold for $20.63 million at RM Sotheby’s during Formula 1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend, claiming the title of most expensive new car ever auctioned outside charitable sales.
The sale lived up to the “Special One” nameplate. The hypercar arrived via helicopter, suspended above the Las Vegas Strip during the live auction in a theatrical entrance that matched the city’s atmosphere.
Fierce bidding erupted between collectors present at the gala and remote bidders worldwide.
Only five examples of the S1 LM exist, all commissioned by a single buyer as tribute to the 1995 Le Mans-winning McLaren F1 GTR.
Murray designed the original F1 GTR during his legendary tenure at McLaren, making this project deeply personal.
The S1 LM uses the exquisite T.50 supercar as its foundation but adds unique modifications that channel McLaren F1 GTR DNA.
A lowered roofline, bespoke front splitter, rear diffuser, and dual-element rear wing define the exterior.
Ultra-lightweight carbon fibre panels keep mass minimal. Le Mans-inspired lighting completes the racing aesthetic.
Inside sits Murray’s patented three-person layout with central driving position, the same configuration that made the original F1 legendary.
The race-inspired cockpit prioritises driver connection over everything else.
Power comes from a 4.3-litre naturally aspirated V12 that screams to 12,100 rpm. Lighter internals and a higher compression ratio help the Cosworth unit pump out over 700 horsepower.
A manual gearbox handles shifting duties because anything else would betray Murray’s driver-centric philosophy.
Bespoke suspension and an Inconel exhaust system wrapped in 18-karat gold heat shielding round out the mechanical package.
Murray’s motorsport pedigree spans decades. His F1 career began in the late 1960s with Brabham, where his designs captured multiple championships.
He later moved to McLaren, dominating the sport with numerous constructors’ and drivers’ titles before creating the McLaren F1 road car, one of the most coveted machines ever built.
The winner receives more than just the car. Bespoke experiences include direct design input sessions with Murray himself and a 500-page creation monograph documenting the S1 LM’s development.
The auction result resonates across luxury and automotive circles, proving collectors still pay extraordinary premiums for driver-focused machines built by legends.
Murray’s recent independent ventures continue to capture purist enthusiasts who value his uncompromising approach to mechanical excellence and driving purity over digital interference.
