Gordon Murray S1 LM Sets Record With $20.6 Million Auction Sale in Las Vegas
SME News UK. Gordon Murray Special Vehicles (GMSV) has confirmed that its ultra-exclusive S1 LM supercar (Chassis #1) has sold for an astonishing $20,630,000 at auction, establishing a new benchmark as the most expensive new car ever sold at auction (excluding charitable sales). The milestone sale took place during the prestigious amfAR Gala Dinner, held in partnership with the Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix.
A Dramatic Arrival for the ‘Special One’
The S1 LM made a breathtaking entrance, arriving at the Wynn Las Vegas venue suspended beneath a helicopter. The theatrical delivery set the tone for the evening and underscored the car’s status as one of the world’s rarest and most coveted driver-focused supercars.
Inside the gala, intense bidding unfolded between in-person collectors and remote participants across the globe. The fierce competition ultimately pushed the hammer price to its record-breaking total, sending shockwaves through the luxury automotive market.
A Customer Journey Unlike Any Other
The winning bidder now begins a personalised ownership experience that goes far beyond the acquisition of an ultra-rare supercar. Their journey will include:
- One-to-one specification sessions with Professor Gordon Murray CBE, shaping every bespoke detail
- Development drives with racing legend Dario Franchitti, providing direct feedback for performance refinement
- Exclusive involvement with the GMSV engineering team, including participation in final vehicle development
- A collector’s monograph, a 500-page archive detailing the creation of the S1 LM with original sketches and notes from Murray himself
Professor Murray described the achievement as “a defining moment for our entire team and for the automotive world,” adding that the S1 LM embodies his “six decades of design — a pure expression of driving perfection, engineering art, and a true return to beauty.”
The S1 LM: A New Benchmark in Modern Coachbuilding
Inspired by the legendary McLaren F1 LM, the S1 LM represents the pinnacle of Gordon Murray’s design philosophy. Only five examples will be produced, each crafted to be a singular engineering and artistic statement.
Key highlights include:
- Iconic styling echoing the 1995 Le Mans-winning McLaren F1 GTR
- A bespoke 4.3-litre V12 engine delivering 720 PS at 12,100 rpm
- Newly optimised six-speed manual gearbox and race-inspired suspension
- Ultra-lightweight carbon fibre bodywork
- A Naked Polish Carbon Fibre interior featuring intricate artistic detailing
These elements reflect Murray’s core design principles: Driving Perfection, Lightweight, Engineering Art, Return to Beauty, Exclusivity, and The Customer Journey.
Ultra-Exclusive and Already Fully Sold
Debuted during Monterey Car Week 2025, the S1 LM production run sold out immediately — all five units were reportedly purchased by a single unnamed collector. The Las Vegas sale represented the final chassis available through auction, with details of the remaining four vehicles kept tightly confidential.
