New Gordon Murray S1 LM sets auction price record

The car market follows no rules, and the latest proof came straight from Las Vegas during the recent F1 Grand Prix. A Gordon Murray S1 LM has just smashed the record for the most expensive car ever sold at auction (RM Sotheby’s).

This model, a brand-new creation that pays tribute to the legendary McLaren F1 GTR of the ’90s, is one of only five units personally built by engineer Gordon Murray. A towering figure who made his mark in Formula 1 with teams like Brabham and McLaren.

In another article, we had already covered the features of this new creation, considered by many as one of the most captivating cars of recent years. It is a perfect blend of past and present. Clean design and a naturally aspirated V12 that roars just as it should.

The vehicle auctioned by RM Sotheby’s was the very first unit produced, number 1 of 5. Before the event, predictions on the final price were already sky-high, yet reality went far beyond expectations. When the Gordon Murray S1 LM N°1 crossed the auction block on November 21. It exceeded every estimate, securing a winning bid of $20,630,000.

Do you also remember the auction in Maranello earlier this year for a one-of-a-kind Ferrari Daytona? Well, there too a similarly staggering price was reached. Equally incredible

That’s the story: Ferrari Daytona SP3: auctioned for $26.000.000

The 1995 McLaren F1 car had the previous price record

As a fun comparison, the previous record for the most expensive new car ever sold at auction belonged to a 1995 McLaren F1, which had reached a staggering $20.46 million. A massive figure on its own, yet still not enough to withstand the shockwave created by the S1 LM’s $20.63 million hammer price in Las Vegas.

But the buyer didn’t just walk away with the car. To make the moment truly unforgettable, an over-the-top presentation was staged. The vehicle arrived by helicopter, lowered precisely onto the designated spot for its reveal. And to top it all off, Gordon Murray himself met the new owner shortly after the event for a personal introduction to the car.

The setting amplified everything — the Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix, thousands of spectators, and an atmosphere worthy of a blockbuster. An RM Sotheby’s auction that was already extraordinary instantly became something almost surreal.

The Gordon Murray S1 LM and his first buyer

The new owner, who appears to be a close collaborator of Gordon Murray, finds himself with a virtually one-of-a-kind machine. Especially considering the bespoke modifications that will be made for him. And that’s without even mentioning what the car already offers.

A Cosworth V12 paired with more than 700 horsepower, just 957 kilograms of weight, a six-speed manual transmission, and a screaming 12,100-rpm redline. A mechanical cocktail no one builds anymore, making this S1 LM a truly unrepeatable creation.

Now it remains to be seen whether the remaining four produced models will also go to auction at RM Sotheby’s in the same way or if they have already been reserved by their future owners. A car that already makes you dream just by looking at photos, and we want to congratulate the new owner.