A single buyer originally snapped up all five units, and now the last available chassis is being offered to the public with full build input from Murray himself.
A Hypercar With a Twist
The final Gordon Murray S1 LM available to the public will cross the block during the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend, appearing at the amfAR benefit gala on November 21. Although Gordon Murray Special Vehicles planned just five examples, all of them were initially sold to a single buyer, an arrangement the company has confirmed has not changed. The sale of Chassis #1 suggests the original owner decided one LM too many might be on their hands.
An Homage With Teeth
Inspired by the five McLaren F1 LMs built to celebrate the F1 GTR’s 1995 Le Mans victory, the S1 LM carries the ethos of its spiritual predecessor but is constructed with modern methods Murray never had in the 1990s. It’s a compact, ultralight, fully carbon-bodied machine built around driver involvement. Everything, materials, packaging, and ergonomics, reflects Murray’s long-held obsession with reducing weight and elevating responsiveness.
A V12 Designed for One Purpose
At the center of the car sits a purpose-built 4.3-liter GMA-Cosworth V12 developed exclusively for the S1 LM. It produces over 700 horsepower, revs to a stratospheric 12,100 rpm, and pairs with a six-speed manual gearbox. The target weight is just 957 kg (2,150 pounds), reinforcing the car’s focus on purity and agility.
Passion Project
Murray removed the rear fan system used on the related T.50 to make room for the enlarged V12 and its accompanying Inconel exhaust, wrapped in 18-karat gold heat shielding. The four center-mounted pipes recall the F1 GTR’s layout. Murray has said the project carried personal weight, noting that the concentrated engineering work was “a big part of getting me through” his cancer recovery.
Inside the Build Process
The winning bidder receives more than a completed hypercar, they receive a seat at the design table. The buyer will meet with Gordon Murray to finalize the car’s specification, following a process reminiscent of the bespoke builds of the 1990s. From the cabin layout to aerodynamic details, the car will be shaped according to the owner’s preferences within Murray’s framework.
Links to the T.50—But More Focused
Although the S1 LM shares foundational DNA with the GMA T.50, it stands apart. Murray’s team revised the suspension, lowered the stance, and fine-tuned the car for sharper responses. The design retains the famed central driving position, and while the S1 LM is track-leaning in character, it remains street legal. Its performance and rarity place it in the company of original F1 GTRs in terms of collectability, and likely price.
The $20 Million Question
RM Sotheby’s expects bidding to clear $20 million, driven by scarcity, engineering pedigree, and its direct lineage to Murray’s earlier work. The fact that one collector secured all five cars has only heightened interest. Now that the final chassis is being relinquished, the sale represents a rare chance for anyone outside that original transaction to obtain one.
Importing It Won’t Be Simple
For American buyers, the car qualifies only under the federal “Show or Display” exemption. According to the auction listing, “Gordon Murray will assist with the necessary steps to have the S1 LM added to the approved list for this eligibility.” Even with that support, the buyer remains responsible for import duties, taxes, and any optional federalization costs.
