A R300-million McLaren Has Just Been Purchased
The annual Monterey Car Week auction at Pebble Beach recently disclosed one of the big-ticket items that would be going under the mallet – an ultra-exclusive McLaren F1 LM. Now, McLaren F1’s are known to fetch millions and millions of Rands at auctions, but this specific McLaren takes its place at the top of the list after being sold for a mega R300-million. To put that into perspective, you could buy the most expensive new Bugatti ever made and still have change.
The Bugatti La Voiture Noire was sold for around R263-million, a cool R37-million less than the McLaren. In fact, we’ve compiled a list of 15 cars, including a Lamborghini Veneno and a Bugatti Chiron Sport, that you could buy for the price of the Bugatti. You can take that entire list and add 6 McLaren 720S Coupe’s on top of it for R300-million.
This McLaren F1 started its life as a regular F1 in 1994, finished in Midnight Blue Pearl with a black interior. Then, in the year 2000, the car was shipped back to the McLaren factory in the UK for an exclusive modification. The result was the McLaren F1 LM - a Platinum Silver Metallic reincarnation of the V12 supercar.
McLaren boosted the engine output from the 6.1-litre naturally aspirated BMW V12 by 40kW, bringing maximum power up to 507kW. But R300-million doesn’t just pay for more power. It also buys aerodynamics and improved handling in the form of a large rear wing, unique side vents and a remodelled front end. To top it all off, McLaren fitted an upgraded exhaust system, two extra radiators and race-spec springs and dampers, as well as a set of 18-inch wheels borrowed from the McLaren F1 GTR.
FAQ
Q: How much did the McLaren F1 LM sell for?
The McLaren F1 LM sold for a staggering R300-million at the Monterey Car Week auction at Pebble Beach, making it one of the most expensive cars ever sold at auction.
Q: What makes the McLaren F1 LM so expensive?
The McLaren F1 LM commands R300-million because it's an ultra-rare factory conversion of a regular F1, featuring a boosted 507kW BMW V12 engine, race-spec aerodynamics including a large rear wing, upgraded suspension, and exclusive Platinum Silver Metallic paint.
Q: How much power does the McLaren F1 LM produce?
The McLaren F1 LM produces 507kW from its 6.1-litre naturally aspirated BMW V12 engine, which is 40kW more than the standard McLaren F1's output.
Q: Is the McLaren F1 LM worth R300-million?
For collectors with deep pockets, the McLaren F1 LM's R300-million price tag reflects its extreme rarity, factory racing modifications, and status as one of the ultimate supercars ever built, though you could buy an entire fleet of supercars for the same money.
Q: What year was this McLaren F1 LM originally built?
This particular McLaren F1 LM started life as a regular F1 in 1994 before being converted to LM specification by the McLaren factory in 2000, transforming it from Midnight Blue Pearl to Platinum Silver Metallic.
Should You Buy It?
Unless you have R300-million burning a hole in your pocket and a serious case of supercar obsession, this McLaren F1 LM is probably not for you. At R300-million, you're looking at collector car territory that makes a Bugatti Chiron look like a budget option. For perspective, you could buy 15 incredible supercars including a Lamborghini Veneno and six McLaren 720S Coupes for the same money. The McLaren F1 LM is undoubtedly one of the greatest supercars ever built, with its 507kW naturally aspirated V12 and race-bred modifications making it automotive royalty. However, for mere mortals looking for McLaren thrills, a McLaren 720S at around R4.5-million will deliver 90% of the excitement for about 1.5% of the price. Buy it if you're a billionaire collector seeking the ultimate trophy car, but for everyone else, admire it from afar and pick up something more sensible from the McLaren range.
