1998 McLaren F1 ‘LM-Specification’ for sale by RM Sotheby’s

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 19.06.2018

An incredible McLaren F1 made even more so by McLaren’s Special Operations

Offered up for sale by RM Sotheby’s is this 1998 McLaren F1, rebuilt by McLaren’s Special Operations department.

A McLaren skunkworks division that will take your normal road-going F1, and upgrade, and personalise your car however your heart should desire.

This F1 rolled off the Woking production line with the chassis no. 73. The second-to-last McLaren F1 built in standard ‘road trim’. The car began life painted in AMG Green Velvet and sported a cream and green two-tone interior.

Instead of the owner taking delivery of the car, they opted for the car to be stored at the McLaren factory, and subsequently, all servicing and maintenance is extensively documented and was carried out by the factory itself.

The car was later sent to the MSO division, who were tasked with turning the normal F1 into "the finest and most desirable F1 on the planet".

The car received the more powerful, race-honed LM-Specification engine, derived from the McLaren F1 GTR race cars. While McLaren produced five McLaren F1 LMs from factory, only two road-specification F1s to be fitted with an LM engine.

On the outside, the F1 received McLaren’s Extra High Downforce Package, which saw a heavily revised aero around the car, with a new nose, more aggressive rear wing, gurney flap; as well as gas discharge headlights and a custom set of 18" wheels. The car was resprayed in a bright metallic orange hue to finish the exterior.

Converse to the performance and racing-derived engine and aero package, the interior was updated to GT Specification, featuring wall to wall magnolia leather and alcantara. The air-conditioning was upgraded, as well as the stereo and even satellite navigation.

The finishing touch was the signature of McLaren F1 designer, Gordon Murray, on the transmission tunnel.

The McLaren F1 was an incredible car to start with, but this one has been completely rebuilt, and stands to be truly one of the most unique and even usable examples.

While McLaren did produce five F1 LMs, they are all-out unforgiving GTR-based race cars for the road. This car however, has the power and aero, but more modern amenities and luxuries than the standard road-going F1 ever did. Overall, this is car is one of two F1s that have undergone the MSO treatment and received the LM engine.

The price for this car? Well that’s as per request, but this exact car sold through RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction in 2015 for AUD$18.65 million. Safe to say, it will surpass its previous sale price as McLaren F1s rarely come up for sale, and are extremely sought after.

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