Unmatched Legacy
Gordon Murray’s contribution to the world of motorsports and supercars is almost unmatched by any individual or company. His journey began as an engineer and designer of F1 cars back in the late ’60s for Brabham (where his car won multiple championships), and eventually led him to McLaren, where his designs also dominated the sport with numerous constructors’ and drivers’ titles. Eventually, he moved to road cars, where he birthed one of the most coveted cars ever made: the McLaren F1.
More recently, Murray has been dabbling in his own branded cars, continuing his own “driver-centric” approach. His models continue to capture the very purists in enthusiasts, and one such car has just broken a record at auction.
RM Sotheby’s
Gordon Murray S1 LM Chassis #1
Just a couple of weeks ago, it was announced that the very special Gordon Murray S1 LM Chassis #1 was going to go to the auction block during the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend. The S1 LM was born as a tribute from Murray to the 1995-winning McLaren F1 GTR. A total of five units will be made, all of which have been purchased by the individual who commissioned the car in the first place.
Using the existing (and exquisite) Gordon Murray T.50 supercar as a base, the S1 LM features unique modifications to take on the form of a McLaren F1 GTR. The engine has also been replaced with a 4.3-liter naturally aspirated V12 that revs to a screaming 12,000 rpm. With lighter internals and a higher compression ratio, the Cosworth engine pumps out 690 bhp.
Other features include a bespoke Inconel exhaust system wrapped in 18-karat gold heat shielding, the patented 3-person layout (with the driver in the middle), and a manual transmission.
The Special One
With a name like “Special One” (S1), the car’s auction lived up to its name. It arrived in dramatic fashion by helicopter, a truly theatrical entrance befitting the Las Vegas atmosphere.
According to the Gordon Murray Special Vehicles press release, “The auction itself saw fierce bidding unfolded between collectors present at the gala and remote bidders around the globe, culminating in a record-breaking hammer price that will resonate across the luxury and automotive worlds.”
The final winning bid was a sky-high $20.6 million, a record-breaking price for a brand-new car sold at auction (excluding those for charity). The extremely wealthy bidder didn’t just win the rights to this extremely rare model, but also other so-called “once-in-a-lifetime” experiences:
- Personal specification sessions with Professor Gordon Murray CBE, shaping every detail of their bespoke S1 LM
- Development drives alongside four-time IndyCar champion and three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti, contributing feedback to optimise performance
- Exclusive access to the GMSV team, including participation in final vehicle developmentÂ
- The opportunity to contribute to the artistry and engineering behind the special car
This customer journey is complemented by a unique 500-page monograph chronicling the S1 LM’s creation, including original sketches and notes from Gordon Murray’s own design notebook.
RM Sotheby’s
Â
