The ultra-exclusive world of bespoke automotive creations has been utterly upended with the first sale of the Gordon Murray S1 LM, dubbed “The One,” fetching an unprecedented $20.63 million.
This staggering figure sets a new, almost unimaginable ceiling for a factory-fresh vehicle sold at auction, barring charitable exceptions. The sale underscores that for the world’s most discerning collectors, the fusion of artisanal craftsmanship and an unassailable racing pedigree remains the ultimate value proposition.
Full Details on the Newly Unveiled Gordon Murray S1 LM Masterpiece: Someone Just Paid $20.6 Million
The auction’s staging was as dramatic and stylish as the car itself. Coinciding with the Las Vegas Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend, the S1 LM Chassis #1 made its theatrical debut at the Wynn Las Vegas Gala, arriving suspended beneath a helicopter—a spectacle designed to underscore its status as a profoundly significant, singular artifact.
The auction swiftly became a global event, with fierce bidding between affluent collectors in attendance and remote bidders worldwide. The final price reached $20.63 million, setting a world record for Gordon Murray Special Vehicles (GMSV). This marks the first chassis in a series of five ultra-exclusive vehicles.
The S1 LM is a machine steeped in history, its very name paying homage to the legendary McLaren F1 LM—the commemorative model built to celebrate the F1 GTR’s 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans victory.
Professor Gordon Murray, the mastermind behind both vehicles, launched Gordon Murray Special Vehicles (GMSV) to advance his seven core design principles—including lightweighting, engineering artistry, and driving purity—further than ever before.
While the S1 LM builds upon the GMA T.50’s technological foundation, it has evolved into a distinctly more potent, standalone creation.
The goal was to commemorate the F1 GTR’s 30th anniversary by creating a uniquely distinctive model, elevating exclusivity to new heights. The design, refined through traditional clay modeling before transitioning to carbon, is more sculptural and purposeful than its predecessor.
Central to the marque’s design philosophy is the pursuit of absolute lightness, achieving a featherlight 2,110-pound (957 kg) curb weight. The entirely new body is crafted from ultra-light carbon fiber panels, each just six-tenths of a millimeter thick. This meticulous process employs advanced carbon composites to maintain exceptional rigidity and strength while minimizing mass.
At the S1 LM’s heart lies a bespoke, naturally aspirated V12 engine developed with Cosworth. Displacing 4.3 liters, this high-revving masterpiece delivers 710 horsepower at a staggering 12,100 rpm. It exemplifies power density and responsiveness, producing 370 lb-ft (501 Nm) of torque, with 81% available from just 2,500 rpm.
The engineering details are obsessively refined: the V12 employs race-spec components, including silicon carbide-coated pistons, titanium valves, and conrods. The four-pipe Inconel exhaust system, insulated with 18-karat gold, is a signature touch echoing the original F1. The sculpted intake manifold simplifies the induction system, exposing the laser-etched S1 LM cam cover beneath a transparent polycarbonate engine lid.
In a steadfast commitment to driver engagement, the S1 LM features a bespoke 6-speed manual gearbox. Designed for ultra-short, precise shifts, it connects the driver directly to the engine. The powertrain is rigidly mounted to a reinforced chassis with a new suspension system for unparalleled stiffness and feedback.
The weight-saving obsession extends to the driver-centric cockpit. The interior showcases Naked Polish carbon fiber, left intentionally unlacquered to save weight. The redesigned center console, lightweight handbrake, and pedals are all present.
Perhaps the most unique detail is the bespoke gear knob—a rare quartz crystal, teardrop-cut and polished, encapsulating liquid oil millions of years old, a gem-like symbol of purity.
The auction winner now embarks on a customer journey redefining exclusivity, one of Murray’s seven guiding principles.
This is no ordinary customization process; the owner will enjoy in-person design sessions with Professor Murray, shaping every detail of their bespoke supercar. They’ll also receive a 500-page, exquisitely bound tome chronicling the S1 LM’s creation, complete with original sketches and Murray’s handwritten design notes.
Crucially, the new owner will participate in the final development process. This includes joining final test drives with Product and Brand Director Dario Franchitti, providing personal feedback to optimize performance and tailor the car to their preferences.
Additionally, for the first time with a GMSV car, the buyer is invited to witness the S1 LM undergo wind tunnel testing, confirming its aerodynamic performance—an exclusive engineering experience rarely offered to private owners. This deeply personal, collaborative approach elevates the S1 LM beyond a mere collectible; it’s a legacy project, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The $20.6 million price tag reflects not just the car’s rarity—only five exist—but a definitive statement on the market’s appetite for authentic heritage, design mastery, and the chance to directly participate in creating a modern legend, guided by the man who defined the modern supercar segment.
