The car is a tribute to the legendary South Africa-born car designer’s finest work
Auctioned in Las Vegas for a record $20.6 million (which is close to R360 million), the GMA S1 LM is the first of five cars that Gordon Murray’s car company will produce to commemorate the 30th anniversary of one of Murray’s finest creations, the legendary McLaren F1, dominating its first 24 Hours of Le Mans entry.
Born in Durban, South Africa, Gordon Murray made his name when, after completing his mechanical engineering studies at Durban University of Technology, he joined the Braham Formula One team at the age of 23. Murray quickly found his feet and thrived in the high-pressure world of F1. By the time he moved to McLaren in 1987, he had played a hand in Braham winning more than 20 races and driver Nelson Piquet winning two driver’s titles in 1981 and 1983.
Murray’s relationship with McLaren would extend beyond race-winning Formula One cars when he was asked to oversee the development of the brand’s first road car, the F1. Widely regarded as the most focused, precise and exhilarating vehicles ever created, Murray’s legacy would be solidified when the F1 was finally unveiled. It famously introduced a carbon monocoque central driving position and a gold-plated engine bay housing a mid-mounted 6.1-litre V12 powertrain.
It wouldn’t take long for enthusiasts to consider using the McLaren F1 as a track tool, with Murray once again called in to advise. The resultant F1 GTR package would claim 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 13th place in its first visit to the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1995. To celebrate this momentous achievement, McLaren built just five examples of the F1 LM road car.
Now 79, Murray’s passion and enthusiasm for his seven principles of design: driving perfection; weight saving; engineering art; premium brand; a return to beauty; exclusivity, and customer journey have seen him develop several new projects. None more spectacular, though, than his limited-edition T.50 and T.33 creations, which closely mimic the McLaren F1 in terms of their respective packaging.
Commissioned by a wealthy enthusiast, Murray’s newest work is the S1 LM, which uses the 4.3-litre V12-powered T.50, with its 997 kg curb weight, manual transmission and central driving position, as a canvas for a run of just five “ultimate driving machines”.
Delivered to its auction venue on the famous Las Vegas strip by helicopter, the first S1 LM fetched $20 630 000, the highest recorded bid for a new car sold at auction.
Ian McLaren has more than 25 years of experience as a motoring journalist. Here, he will be compiling a series of articles documenting his learning curve when it comes to all things auction. Find him on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok at @IanMcLaren76.
These articles aim to offer insights only and in no way encourage reckless or hit-and-miss purchasing decisions.