An exclusive Gordon Murray supercar has set a new benchmark in the automotive world after selling for £15.77m at a Las Vegas auction. The Gordon Murray S1 LM, one of only five ever made, now holds the title of the most expensive new car ever sold at auction, marking a record-breaking moment for both the automaker and collectors worldwide.
The S1 LM made a dramatic entrance at the annual amfAR gala dinner, held this year at the Wynn Las Vegas hotel, arriving by helicopter. The auction attracted fierce competition from both on-site bidders and remote participants, reflecting the high demand for this ultra-exclusive vehicle. The winning bidder secured not just the car itself, but an immersive experience including personal specification sessions with Prof Gordon Murray CBE, development drives alongside Indy 500 legend Dario Franchitti, and direct access to the Gordon Murray Special Vehicles team as the car was finalised.
Additionally, the winner received a 500-page monograph documenting the S1 LM’s creation, featuring original sketches and notes from Prof Murray’s design notebook. Speaking on the sale, Prof Murray 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.”
The five-car S1 LM collection draws inspiration from the 1995 Le Mans-winning McLaren F1 GTR, featuring a bespoke 4.3-litre V12 engine, six-speed manual gearbox, race-inspired suspension, and a carbon fibre body and interior. Each detail has been carefully designed to offer a unique driving experience while celebrating Gordon Murray’s legendary design philosophy.
While the Las Vegas auction has confirmed the sale of one S1 LM, the whereabouts and ownership details of the remaining four cars remain undisclosed. With its combination of exclusivity, engineering mastery, and historic design influence, the S1 LM is now firmly cemented as a milestone in automotive history.
