Summary
- The Gordon Murray S1 LM (First Commission) sold for $20,630,000 USD, setting a record for the most expensive new car ever sold at auction
- The hypercar, one of five, features a 4.3L Cosworth V12 producing over 700 hp at 12,100 rpm, paired with a manual gearbox and a 957 kg target weight
- The winning bidder receives the exclusive opportunity to collaborate directly with Professor Gordon Murray and Dario Franchitti on the car’s final specification and development
The first commission of the Gordon Murray Special Vehicles (GMSV) S1 LM has shattered records, selling for a staggering $20,630,000 USD at Sotheby’s, officially making it the most expensive new car ever sold at auction. The hypercar, built to honor the 30th anniversary of the McLaren F1 GTR’s 1995 Le Mans win, is one of only five examples destined for production.
The S1 LM is the spiritual successor to the F1 LM, embodying pure, peak analog driving. At its heart is a purpose-built 4.3-liter Cosworth V12 that delivers over 700 horsepower while shrieking to a spectacular 12,100rpm—one of the highest-revving naturally aspirated road car engines ever. Paired with a bespoke six-speed manual gearbox, the machine weighs a mere 957kg. The auction mirrored the car’s drama, with the S1 LM notably flown beneath a helicopter over Las Vegas during the live bidding.
Beyond the machine itself, the colossal price tag reflects an unparalleled ownership journey. The winning bidder earns the privilege of collaborating directly with design luminary Professor Gordon Murray to define their dream specification, and receiving personal input from three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti, Executive Product and Brand Director. This opportunity secures the buyer an exclusive role in the development of a modern automotive legend.
