Gordon Murray S1 LM Becomes Most Expensive New Car
Gordon Murray Special Vehicles has confirmed that the S1 LM supercar (Chassis #1) sold for $20,630,000 (£15,772,773.78) at auction in Las Vegas, cementing the British driver-focused brand’s status in the supercar world and setting a new benchmark as the most expensive new car ever sold at auction, excluding charitable sales. As the final chassis from an ultra-exclusive five-car production run, the Gordon Murray S1 LM now stands as a landmark in modern automotive history and in the rarefied world of high-value supercar auctions.
The dramatic helicopter arrival of the S1 LM set the tone for an unforgettable evening at the amfAR charity’s Gala Dinner, held in partnership with the Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix. Suspended beneath a helicopter, the S1 LM flew into the event and descended into the Wynn Las Vegas venue in a theatrical display that underlined its status as the “Special One” and reinforced the spectacle surrounding this record-breaking Gordon Murray supercar.
Collectors present at the gala and remote bidders around the globe then competed fiercely for the car, driving the hammer price to a record-breaking level that will resonate across the luxury, motorsport, and automotive sectors. The Gordon Murray S1 LM auction reinforced the appeal of highly focused, limited-run British supercars among international collectors seeking rare, analogue driving experiences.
The winning bidder now embarks on what Gordon Murray Special Vehicles regards as the most special customer journey in its history. This experience extends far beyond ownership of a rare and timelessly beautiful supercar. The owner will take part in personal specification sessions with Professor Gordon Murray CBE, shaping every detail of their bespoke S1 LM to reflect their taste and driving style. They will join four-time IndyCar champion and three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti for development drives, offering feedback that helps optimise performance on road and track. They will gain exclusive access to the GMSV team, including direct participation in final vehicle development, and they will contribute to the artistry and engineering that define this special car and its unique position among modern supercars.
Gordon Murray Special Vehicles complements this customer journey with a unique 500-page monograph chronicling the S1 LM’s creation, offering the new owner an in-depth record of the car’s development. The volume includes original sketches and notes from Gordon Murray’s own design notebook, providing a rare insight into the creative process behind one of the world’s most exclusive British supercars and further enhancing the car’s long-term collector appeal.
Professor Gordon Murray CBE said: “This world record auction result is a defining moment for our entire team and for the automotive world. The S1 LM represents everything I have learned in six decades of design – a pure expression of driving perfection, engineering art, and a true return to beauty. To see it achieve this scale of appreciation is truly humbling.” His words capture the philosophy that drives Gordon Murray Special Vehicles and explain why the S1 LM now stands as a reference point for future performance-car design and engineering.
With a name that recalls Gordon Murray’s legendary McLaren F1 LM, the S1 LM takes its place as the first and most exclusive creation from Gordon Murray Special Vehicles. GMSV will build just five examples, each a masterpiece of lightweight engineering and timeless design aimed at enthusiasts who value analogue control and purity of response. The car’s iconic styling celebrates the 1995 Le Mans-winning McLaren F1 GTR, connecting this new British supercar to one of motorsport’s most revered victories while maintaining a distinctive road-focused identity.
At the heart of the Gordon Murray S1 LM, a bespoke 4.3-litre V12 engine produces 720 PS at 12,100 rpm, delivering an intensely engaging and highly responsive driving experience that reflects Murray’s commitment to performance and refinement. A newly optimised six-speed manual gearbox works with race-inspired yet road-honed suspension to create an immersive connection between driver, powertrain and chassis, underlining GMSV’s philosophy of driver-centric engineering. An all-new body constructed from ultra-lightweight carbon fibre panels keeps weight to an absolute minimum, enhancing agility, braking and steering feel in line with the brand’s focus on lightweight innovation.
Inside, the S1 LM features a Naked Polish Carbon Fibre interior with unique artistic detailing that highlights the craftsmanship and attention to detail behind every surface. Every element of the S1 LM embodies Gordon Murray’s seven principles: Driving Perfection, Lightweight, Engineering Art, A Return to Beauty, Exclusivity, and The Customer Journey. Together, these principles shape a car that aims to redefine what a modern supercar can deliver on road and track, from performance and design to ownership and long-term collectability.
Gordon Murray Special Vehicles unveiled the GMSV S1 LM during Monterey Car Week in August 2025, where the brand announced that a single individual had purchased all five supercars, instantly making the collection one of the most coveted in the world. Beyond the historic Las Vegas auction of Chassis #1, GMSV has not disclosed details regarding ownership or plans for the remaining four chassis, adding an extra layer of intrigue and exclusivity around the S1 LM and reinforcing its status as one of the rarest and most desirable British supercars ever created.
