In a moment set to unite the worlds of automotive excellence, design heritage, and philanthropy, Gordon Murray Automotive will auction the final available S1 LM supercar (Chassis #1) during amfAR’s Las Vegas Benefit Gala at the Wynn Las Vegas on November 21, coinciding with the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix. The evening will also see Professor Gordon Murray honoured with the amfAR Award of Innovation, celebrating a lifetime of engineering brilliance and creative mastery.
This final S1 LM, estimated to exceed $20 million USD, represents more than a car—it’s a legacy reimagined. Created to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the McLaren F1 GTR’s 1995 Le Mans victory, the S1 LM is a spiritual successor to one of motorsport’s greatest icons. Limited to just five examples, it is the first and most exclusive creation from Gordon Murray Special Vehicles, a new division dedicated to building ultra-rare, driver-focused masterpieces.
Powered by a 4.3-litre naturally aspirated GMA Cosworth V12 capable of producing over 700 horsepower at 12,100 rpm, the S1 LM epitomises analogue purity in an age of digital performance. Paired with a six-speed manual transmission and a featherweight build of under 1,000 kilograms, it is designed to deliver the ultimate connection between driver and machine. Every detail, from its Inconel exhaust wrapped in 18-karat gold heat shielding to its precision-tuned aerodynamics, reflects Murray’s uncompromising pursuit of perfection.
For the winning bidder, the experience extends beyond ownership. They will collaborate directly with Professor Murrayhimself to co-create their dream specification—an intimate journey into the creative process of one of the world’s most visionary automotive minds. As Shelby Myers, Global Head of Private Sales at RM Sotheby’s, puts it, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help write the next chapter of automotive history, guided by the legend who defined it.”
While the S1 LM’s design captures the spirit of the McLaren F1 LM, it pushes into new territory with modern materials and three decades of technical refinement. Every curve is sculpted to balance aerodynamic precision with timeless beauty, embodying Murray’s ethos of lightness, function, and elegance. Its powertrain is both a tribute to the past and a promise for the future—hand-built, naturally aspirated, and mechanically pure.
Beyond performance, the S1 LM carries a deeply personal story. During his recovery from cancer, Murray poured himself into its design, finding in the process both creative renewal and emotional resilience. “The amount of focus needed for a new motor car leaves no room for anything else,” he reflects. “Designing this was a big part of getting me through that. The S1 LM is special for all of those reasons.”
With only five cars to exist, the S1 LM stands as a modern icon and a testament to Murray’s philosophy: that a great car should feel alive, engaging, and deeply human. The sale of Chassis #1 marks the close of an era and the dawn of a new one—where passion for craftsmanship meets purpose and innovation.
