British Cars
not including UK made for US brands
See also : Cars Cars II Aston Martin Jaguar McLaren Post war cars Cars 1951-53 Cars 1954-55 Cars 1956-57 Cars 1960s Cars 1960-61 Cars 1962-64 Supercars
Chronology : 1953 1956 1997 1998 2000-2009 2001
See also : Cars Cars II Aston Martin Jaguar McLaren Post war cars Cars 1951-53 Cars 1954-55 Cars 1956-57 Cars 1960s Cars 1960-61 Cars 1962-64 Supercars
Chronology : 1953 1956 1997 1998 2000-2009 2001
1953 C-Type Jaguars for Le Mans
2015 SOLD for $ 13.2M including premium
In June 1950 in Le Mans, Jaguar executives are delighted. They had allocated some cars to private pilots and one of them showed a good behavior of his XK120 before dropping at the 21th hour for a braking issue. Jaguar is then resolutely committed to the technological challenge of competition and launches the study of the XK120C soon known as the C-Type.
In 1951, success is achieved for the first official attempt by Jaguar at Le Mans : a C-Type wins the race. In the following year, the failure is scathing. To counter Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar had modified the aerodynamics without appreciating that it would cause an excessive overheating.
The option taken for 1953 is innovative, with a lightweight body made of aluminum and some equipment improvements. The unique target of the brand is Le Mans, and only three cars are assembled. They will be the last three in the C-Type. Success returns : the new Jaguars brilliantly occupy the first, second and fourth final positions.
This variant of transition is the rarest Jaguar, made obsolete by the development of the D-Type.
Jaguar is not totally uninterested in the fate of its C-Type Works Lightweight since they managed to sell all the three cars to the Ecurie Ecosse after the 1953 season. The three cars are getting high successes throughout 1954 before being sold again.
The best overall record of these Lightweight comes to the car that had been fourth at Le Mans in 1953. It then will undergo major transformations including changing its coachwork. Its current owner has fitted a new body that scrupulously meets the 1953 configuration, excepted that it is metallic blue painted in the colors of Ecurie Ecosse.
The C-Type Lightweight is the rarest Jaguar. This newly restored unit is estimated $ 9M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 14, lot 235. I invite you to watch the video shared by Petrolicious.
In 1951, success is achieved for the first official attempt by Jaguar at Le Mans : a C-Type wins the race. In the following year, the failure is scathing. To counter Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar had modified the aerodynamics without appreciating that it would cause an excessive overheating.
The option taken for 1953 is innovative, with a lightweight body made of aluminum and some equipment improvements. The unique target of the brand is Le Mans, and only three cars are assembled. They will be the last three in the C-Type. Success returns : the new Jaguars brilliantly occupy the first, second and fourth final positions.
This variant of transition is the rarest Jaguar, made obsolete by the development of the D-Type.
Jaguar is not totally uninterested in the fate of its C-Type Works Lightweight since they managed to sell all the three cars to the Ecurie Ecosse after the 1953 season. The three cars are getting high successes throughout 1954 before being sold again.
The best overall record of these Lightweight comes to the car that had been fourth at Le Mans in 1953. It then will undergo major transformations including changing its coachwork. Its current owner has fitted a new body that scrupulously meets the 1953 configuration, excepted that it is metallic blue painted in the colors of Ecurie Ecosse.
The C-Type Lightweight is the rarest Jaguar. This newly restored unit is estimated $ 9M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 14, lot 235. I invite you to watch the video shared by Petrolicious.
1955 Short Nose for Ecurie Ecosse
2016 SOLD for $ 21.8M including premium
In the early 1950s, Jaguar targets Le Mans. The C-Type perfectly meets this ambition. Design changes are frequent to maintain competitiveness and to follow the rule changes made necessary to ensure the safety.
The C-Type Lightweight from 1953 is a transition model preparing the 1954 D-type. In 1955, the D-Type Long Nose carries the expectations of the brand. In the same year, for meeting the requirement to engage commercially available models in competition, Jaguar begins to produce in series the D-Type model with its 1954 "short nose".
The first two commercial D-Type, chassis XKD 501 and 502, are delivered in 1955 to Ecurie Ecosse, a private team that works closely with Jaguar. Due to an accident, XKD 501 cannot participate at Le Mans in its first year.
The disaster of Le Mans significantly changes the game. Mercedes-Benz will not return. In 1956, a regulatory limitation of the fuel creates a headache for high volume engines. The XKD 501 of the Ecurie Ecosse wins the race one lap ahead of an Aston Martin. The feat of the Ecurie Ecosse is of high merit because the car is equipped with a big 3.4-liter engine.
Still more important changes are being considered in the rules. In 1957 Jaguar terminates its racing team. In 1958 Le Mans limits the size of engines to 3 liters, precipitating the end of career of the glorious chain of the C-Types and D-Types. It is funny to note that "C" meant Competition while "D" is simply the next after C in the alphabet.
XKD 501 was maintained in its configuration and its engine of the 1956 Le Mans victory. Its condition is certainly the most authentic among the five Jaguar that won at Le Mans in the 1950s. It had been fitted before Le Mans with the engine from the third D -Type of Ecurie Ecosse, XKD 561, a car that the team mostly used as a spare.
XKD 501 is estimated $ 20M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 19, lot 114. In its class, glory brings an added value : in very good condition, XKD 561 was sold for £ 2.6M including premium by Bonhams on December 1, 2013. Please watch the video shared by RM.
The C-Type Lightweight from 1953 is a transition model preparing the 1954 D-type. In 1955, the D-Type Long Nose carries the expectations of the brand. In the same year, for meeting the requirement to engage commercially available models in competition, Jaguar begins to produce in series the D-Type model with its 1954 "short nose".
The first two commercial D-Type, chassis XKD 501 and 502, are delivered in 1955 to Ecurie Ecosse, a private team that works closely with Jaguar. Due to an accident, XKD 501 cannot participate at Le Mans in its first year.
The disaster of Le Mans significantly changes the game. Mercedes-Benz will not return. In 1956, a regulatory limitation of the fuel creates a headache for high volume engines. The XKD 501 of the Ecurie Ecosse wins the race one lap ahead of an Aston Martin. The feat of the Ecurie Ecosse is of high merit because the car is equipped with a big 3.4-liter engine.
Still more important changes are being considered in the rules. In 1957 Jaguar terminates its racing team. In 1958 Le Mans limits the size of engines to 3 liters, precipitating the end of career of the glorious chain of the C-Types and D-Types. It is funny to note that "C" meant Competition while "D" is simply the next after C in the alphabet.
XKD 501 was maintained in its configuration and its engine of the 1956 Le Mans victory. Its condition is certainly the most authentic among the five Jaguar that won at Le Mans in the 1950s. It had been fitted before Le Mans with the engine from the third D -Type of Ecurie Ecosse, XKD 561, a car that the team mostly used as a spare.
XKD 501 is estimated $ 20M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 19, lot 114. In its class, glory brings an added value : in very good condition, XKD 561 was sold for £ 2.6M including premium by Bonhams on December 1, 2013. Please watch the video shared by RM.
1956 Aston Martin targets Le Mans
2017 SOLD for $ 22.6M including premium
When David Brown buys Aston Martin and Lagonda in 1947, his ambition is to lead Aston Martin to win at the 24 hours of Le Mans by relying on the innovative achievements of both brands. Twelve years of stubborn efforts will follow.
The valiant DB3S manages to sneak into the podiums of the endurance competitions but is not powerful enough against Ferrari, Jaguar and Maserati. The changes in Le Mans regulation for limiting the volume in the prototype category are favorable to Ferrari and Aston Martin. The two brands launch ambitious developments : the 250 TR in 1957 for Ferrari and the DBR1 (David Brown Racing 1) in 1956 for Aston Martin.
The first DBR1 car (DBR1/1) is assembled in 1956 with a 3-liter engine sometimes replaced until 1958 by a 2.5-liter engine to comply with the new regulations of some competitions. In 1957 a second DBR1 is made, along with two DBR2 equipped with a larger engine that will be upgraded in two phases to 4.2 liters. Three additional DBR1 will follow.
This model is perfect for the 1000 Km Nürburgring won in 1957 by DBR1/2, in 1958 by DBR1/3, and in 1959 by DBR1/1 with Stirling Moss and Jack Fairman. Taking advantage of Ferrari's misfortune, DBR1/2 realizes at last its boss's dream by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959. After a final DBR1/2 victory at Goodwood, Aston Martin stops the competition probably due to financial difficulties and the cars continue their careers with private teams.
Painstakingly maintained as close as possible to its 1959 configuration with the cooperation of the former chief designer of the DBR project, DBR1/1 will be sold by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 18, lot 148. It is equipped with a replica engine of the correct configuration and accompanied by its 3-liter engine of 1959. The press release of June 23 expects a price in excess of $ 20M.
Wikipedia and several sources on the web since 2013 indicate that DBR2/1 was sold for £ 9.2M in a private sale.
Please watch in the RM tweet the very short video shared by the auction house.
Wikimedia shares an image of DBR1/1 driven by Carroll Shelby at Sebring in 1958. Attribution : By C5813 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The valiant DB3S manages to sneak into the podiums of the endurance competitions but is not powerful enough against Ferrari, Jaguar and Maserati. The changes in Le Mans regulation for limiting the volume in the prototype category are favorable to Ferrari and Aston Martin. The two brands launch ambitious developments : the 250 TR in 1957 for Ferrari and the DBR1 (David Brown Racing 1) in 1956 for Aston Martin.
The first DBR1 car (DBR1/1) is assembled in 1956 with a 3-liter engine sometimes replaced until 1958 by a 2.5-liter engine to comply with the new regulations of some competitions. In 1957 a second DBR1 is made, along with two DBR2 equipped with a larger engine that will be upgraded in two phases to 4.2 liters. Three additional DBR1 will follow.
This model is perfect for the 1000 Km Nürburgring won in 1957 by DBR1/2, in 1958 by DBR1/3, and in 1959 by DBR1/1 with Stirling Moss and Jack Fairman. Taking advantage of Ferrari's misfortune, DBR1/2 realizes at last its boss's dream by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959. After a final DBR1/2 victory at Goodwood, Aston Martin stops the competition probably due to financial difficulties and the cars continue their careers with private teams.
Painstakingly maintained as close as possible to its 1959 configuration with the cooperation of the former chief designer of the DBR project, DBR1/1 will be sold by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 18, lot 148. It is equipped with a replica engine of the correct configuration and accompanied by its 3-liter engine of 1959. The press release of June 23 expects a price in excess of $ 20M.
Wikipedia and several sources on the web since 2013 indicate that DBR2/1 was sold for £ 9.2M in a private sale.
Please watch in the RM tweet the very short video shared by the auction house.
Wikimedia shares an image of DBR1/1 driven by Carroll Shelby at Sebring in 1958. Attribution : By C5813 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
1961 Aston Martin for Competizione
2015 SOLD for $ 14.3M including premium
It seemed difficult to compete with Ferrari without using Italian coachbuilders. In 1960, Aston Martin chose Zagato to equip 25 DB4 GT chassis.
The DB4 GT Zagato is a lightweight car in which most of the elements previously in steel have been replaced by aluminum. With its rounded forms specially designed for aerodynamics, it looks like an Italian car without being close to a Ferrari.
Designed for the road with a willingness of compatibility with the competition, it is stripped of all unnecessary equipment and can be directly compared with the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione developed by Ferrari in 1959.
The racing success did not meet the expectations of Aston Martin and the release of the Ferrari 250 GTO diverted from the English brand the customers of high-end Italian cars. The production of the DB4 GT Zagato is stopped after the 19th unit. Due to the popularity of cars from this prestigious period, the six remaining Zagato bodies are assembled from 1988 on old DB4 chassis upgraded to DB4 GT specification.
On December 10 in New York, RM Sotheby's sells the 14th Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, completed in December 1961 to prepare for the 1962 season in which it had a significant racing history in Australia. It was restored in 2002 with the collaboration of the Carrozzeria Zagato.
This car is estimated $ 15M, lot 215. I invite you to watch the short video shared by the auction house.
The DB4 GT Zagato is a lightweight car in which most of the elements previously in steel have been replaced by aluminum. With its rounded forms specially designed for aerodynamics, it looks like an Italian car without being close to a Ferrari.
Designed for the road with a willingness of compatibility with the competition, it is stripped of all unnecessary equipment and can be directly compared with the 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Competizione developed by Ferrari in 1959.
The racing success did not meet the expectations of Aston Martin and the release of the Ferrari 250 GTO diverted from the English brand the customers of high-end Italian cars. The production of the DB4 GT Zagato is stopped after the 19th unit. Due to the popularity of cars from this prestigious period, the six remaining Zagato bodies are assembled from 1988 on old DB4 chassis upgraded to DB4 GT specification.
On December 10 in New York, RM Sotheby's sells the 14th Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, completed in December 1961 to prepare for the 1962 season in which it had a significant racing history in Australia. It was restored in 2002 with the collaboration of the Carrozzeria Zagato.
This car is estimated $ 15M, lot 215. I invite you to watch the short video shared by the auction house.
1961 The British Berlinetta
2018 SOLD for £ 10M including premium
After the great successes of 1959 Aston Martin terminates its works teams in Grand Touring and then in Formula 1. The development efforts concerning the DB4GT include however competition versions. The domination of Ferrari calls for weight reduction for which Aston Martin cooperates with Carrozzeria Zagato. The DB4GT Zagato coupe was unveiled at the 1960 London Motor Show.
John Ogier, owner of the Essex Racing Stable private team, desired to maintain a full British participation in international competitions. He bought two DB4GT Lightweight in 1960 and two DB4GT Zagato in 1961 and obtained for his team the support of the factory. At the same time the American sportsman Briggs Cunningham was trying a comparable approach to Jaguar.
In 1962 Aston Martin feels that it will not be enough for winning. Under the project reference MP209, Zagato goes even further in lightening including major changes in body shape.
One of the two 1961 Zagato of Team Essex is heavily damaged in May 1962 at Spa. Major repairs are needed and Aston Martin turns this car into the DP209 configuration. It is again crashed in August 1962 in Gooodwood, this time by the future world champion Jim Clark.
In the high end the victories generate sales. The Aston Martin berlinetta has a lot of issues in competition, including with handling and with tire wear. The collaboration between Aston Martin and Zagato is ended after the 19th car while 25 had been originally planned. Only three cars had received the DP209 configuration. They can be considered as prototypes for the P214 chassis released by Aston Martin in 1963.
The ex-Ogier Zagato DP209 was restored to its 1962 configuration after a road accident in the 1990s. It will be sold as lot 335 by Bonhams at Goodwood on July 13. Please watch the videoprepared by the auction house. The rear view is shared by Hipwell on Wikimedia.
The 14th Zagato, which was not a DP209, was sold for $ 14.3M including premium by RM Sotheby's on December 10, 2015.
John Ogier, owner of the Essex Racing Stable private team, desired to maintain a full British participation in international competitions. He bought two DB4GT Lightweight in 1960 and two DB4GT Zagato in 1961 and obtained for his team the support of the factory. At the same time the American sportsman Briggs Cunningham was trying a comparable approach to Jaguar.
In 1962 Aston Martin feels that it will not be enough for winning. Under the project reference MP209, Zagato goes even further in lightening including major changes in body shape.
One of the two 1961 Zagato of Team Essex is heavily damaged in May 1962 at Spa. Major repairs are needed and Aston Martin turns this car into the DP209 configuration. It is again crashed in August 1962 in Gooodwood, this time by the future world champion Jim Clark.
In the high end the victories generate sales. The Aston Martin berlinetta has a lot of issues in competition, including with handling and with tire wear. The collaboration between Aston Martin and Zagato is ended after the 19th car while 25 had been originally planned. Only three cars had received the DP209 configuration. They can be considered as prototypes for the P214 chassis released by Aston Martin in 1963.
The ex-Ogier Zagato DP209 was restored to its 1962 configuration after a road accident in the 1990s. It will be sold as lot 335 by Bonhams at Goodwood on July 13. Please watch the videoprepared by the auction house. The rear view is shared by Hipwell on Wikimedia.
The 14th Zagato, which was not a DP209, was sold for $ 14.3M including premium by RM Sotheby's on December 10, 2015.
1963 Ultimate Laps for Aston Martin
2018 SOLD for $ 21.5M including premium
Aston Martin was brilliant in competition in 1959 but failed in 1960. The owner, David Brown, does not take the risk of losing money. He terminates his competition team while maintaining his development abilities around manager John Wyer, chief engineer Ted Cutting and engine mechanic Tadek Marek.
Competition rules change frequently. The 1962 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is favorable to prototypes. Aston Martin is interested. The Design Project 212 is an evolution of the DB4 GT with a unique car incorporating a 4-liter 6-cylinder in-line engine and a lightened bodywork validated in the wind tunnel.
For 1963 Aston Martin prepares the DP214 for the GT class with two cars. This project, similar to the DP212, incorporates bodywork modifications to mitigate the risk of rear lifting.
John Wyer appreciates the motivation and skill of his teams. Under the reference DP215 he requests an additional car for the same competition, with other characteristics for the prototype class. Engineers have two months left to accomplish this feat, with an extremely limited budget.
DP215 has an engine of the same model as DP212 and the five-speed gearbox from the DBR1. The chassis is new, to receive a possible V8 engine. The engine position is lowered.
At the Le Mans practice, the DP215 driven by Phil Hill and Lucien Bianchi is the first car timed at more than 300 Km/h at Mulsanne. Both DP214 achieve a similar performance. None of the three cars finish the 24 hours : at the beginning of the third hour, the transmission of the DP215 is broken.
During its next race at Reims it becomes obvious that the gearbox is undersized for the engine power. After a demonstration run in the same year at Brands Hatch, DP215 abandons the competition. In November 1963 the Aston Martin Racing Department is closed. John Wyer had already left the company.
Its current owner commissioned a gearbox copying that of the DP212 and recovered its original engine that had been installed in the only DP214 survivor. The DP215 was restarted into a working condition close to the original configuration including the spare DP214/215 bodywork built in period by Aston Martin. It is estimated $ 18M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 24, lot 141.
Please watch the video prepared by the auction house. The image is shared by Wikimedia with attribution By Redsimon [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
Competition rules change frequently. The 1962 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is favorable to prototypes. Aston Martin is interested. The Design Project 212 is an evolution of the DB4 GT with a unique car incorporating a 4-liter 6-cylinder in-line engine and a lightened bodywork validated in the wind tunnel.
For 1963 Aston Martin prepares the DP214 for the GT class with two cars. This project, similar to the DP212, incorporates bodywork modifications to mitigate the risk of rear lifting.
John Wyer appreciates the motivation and skill of his teams. Under the reference DP215 he requests an additional car for the same competition, with other characteristics for the prototype class. Engineers have two months left to accomplish this feat, with an extremely limited budget.
DP215 has an engine of the same model as DP212 and the five-speed gearbox from the DBR1. The chassis is new, to receive a possible V8 engine. The engine position is lowered.
At the Le Mans practice, the DP215 driven by Phil Hill and Lucien Bianchi is the first car timed at more than 300 Km/h at Mulsanne. Both DP214 achieve a similar performance. None of the three cars finish the 24 hours : at the beginning of the third hour, the transmission of the DP215 is broken.
During its next race at Reims it becomes obvious that the gearbox is undersized for the engine power. After a demonstration run in the same year at Brands Hatch, DP215 abandons the competition. In November 1963 the Aston Martin Racing Department is closed. John Wyer had already left the company.
Its current owner commissioned a gearbox copying that of the DP212 and recovered its original engine that had been installed in the only DP214 survivor. The DP215 was restarted into a working condition close to the original configuration including the spare DP214/215 bodywork built in period by Aston Martin. It is estimated $ 18M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 24, lot 141.
Please watch the video prepared by the auction house. The image is shared by Wikimedia with attribution By Redsimon [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
1995 McLaren F1 in America
2017 SOLD for $ 15.6M including premium
The McLaren F1 is the result of a brainstorming between the leaders of the group in 1988. Their dominance on Formula 1 is total : Senna and Prost won 15 of the 16 official competitions of that season. The new idea is to transfer this know-how to a road legal sports car that will be the fastest, most powerful, most comfortable and most elegant of all time.
Produced from 1993 this monocoque car is effectively a breakthrough in automobile manufacturing practices with innovative materials and new components. An F1 recorded 386 km/h in top speed.
The security rules are not the same in America. The central position of the driver is tolerated but the side seats for the passengers are not allowed. Other differences include bumper height, headlights and cooling system. A company named Ameritech makes the changes necessary for the legalization in a way that can be easily and completely reversible. 7 F1 are processed by them around 1997.
On August 18 at Quail Lodge - Carmel, Bonhams sells as lot 73 an F1 made in 1995 which had been in 1996 the first to be shipped to the United States, transformed by Ameritech and legalized. It was later returned to its original configuration as almost all (or all?) the F1 Ameritech.
It is announced as a dream car, consigned by its first owner with only 15,500 Km from new and an excellent history of services, in its original configuration without any further option. With a population of 64 in its basic version the McLaren F1 is however less rare than the Ferrari 250 GTO. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Produced from 1993 this monocoque car is effectively a breakthrough in automobile manufacturing practices with innovative materials and new components. An F1 recorded 386 km/h in top speed.
The security rules are not the same in America. The central position of the driver is tolerated but the side seats for the passengers are not allowed. Other differences include bumper height, headlights and cooling system. A company named Ameritech makes the changes necessary for the legalization in a way that can be easily and completely reversible. 7 F1 are processed by them around 1997.
On August 18 at Quail Lodge - Carmel, Bonhams sells as lot 73 an F1 made in 1995 which had been in 1996 the first to be shipped to the United States, transformed by Ameritech and legalized. It was later returned to its original configuration as almost all (or all?) the F1 Ameritech.
It is announced as a dream car, consigned by its first owner with only 15,500 Km from new and an excellent history of services, in its original configuration without any further option. With a population of 64 in its basic version the McLaren F1 is however less rare than the Ferrari 250 GTO. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
1997 McLaren F1
2013 SOLD for $ 8.5M including premium by Gooding
narrated in 2014 before the auction of another car by Gooding (see below)
Technical director at McLaren since 1987, Gordon Murray convinced his bosses to develop the best grand touring car of all time. The project is named F1 for announcing that the same care should be taken in the design and manufacture of this coupe as for a formula 1 car.
The first prototype was unveiled in Monaco in 1992, starting the era of the supercars. Until the end of production in 1998, it was a complete technical success. McLaren had built the world's fastest production car only rivaled still now by the supercars of most recent time.
The F1 is the first production car with a carbon fiber monocoque chassis. The cockpit offers an exceptional visibility in the driving position with a central pilote seat and two lateral seats slightly behind for the passengers. As for the great berlinettas and coupes made by Ferrari and Ford in the 1960s, the shape of the bodywork is superb.
For the first time probably in the history of the automobile, some of the first owners maintained their car as if it were a work of art, anticipating the passion for supercars led ten years later by the Bugatti Veyron.
An F1 made in 1997 was sold for $ 8.5M including premium by Gooding on August 17, 2013, lot 51. With only 14,000 miles from new, it had its original paint in magnesium silver color along with its original toolbox and documentation. Here is the link to the pre sale press release.
An F1 made in 1995 passed at Gooding on August 16, 2014.
The first prototype was unveiled in Monaco in 1992, starting the era of the supercars. Until the end of production in 1998, it was a complete technical success. McLaren had built the world's fastest production car only rivaled still now by the supercars of most recent time.
The F1 is the first production car with a carbon fiber monocoque chassis. The cockpit offers an exceptional visibility in the driving position with a central pilote seat and two lateral seats slightly behind for the passengers. As for the great berlinettas and coupes made by Ferrari and Ford in the 1960s, the shape of the bodywork is superb.
For the first time probably in the history of the automobile, some of the first owners maintained their car as if it were a work of art, anticipating the passion for supercars led ten years later by the Bugatti Veyron.
An F1 made in 1997 was sold for $ 8.5M including premium by Gooding on August 17, 2013, lot 51. With only 14,000 miles from new, it had its original paint in magnesium silver color along with its original toolbox and documentation. Here is the link to the pre sale press release.
An F1 made in 1995 passed at Gooding on August 16, 2014.
1998 A McLaren F1 signed by Murray
2015 SOLD for $ 13.8M including premium
The McLaren F1 is the most prestigious production supercar of the 1990s. The project developed by Gordon Murray was to offer the most powerful model that still remained legal for the road. There are however some variations among the 106 vehicles produced from 1992 to 1998.
The F1 GTR is the version for the race. The F1 GT was created to demonstrate to the boards regulating the competitions that the concepts of GTR were consistent with the features of a grand tourer. It was not proposed in the commercial catalog but after the completion of the prototype two F1 chassis were upgraded to F1 GT on special orders from private clients.
The F1 LM is a lighter version of the F1 GTR. Intended for wealthy private clients, it was built in 1995 as one prototype and five units. It could reach 385 km/h through a modification of the engine that disqualified it against the competition regulations.
In 1998 the F1 series is going to its close out. The engineers from McLaren Special Operations are responsible for producing the most exciting car of this so successful series, somehow the ultimate F1 with all possible improvements, the best supercar of its time.
The 63th and penultimate F1 street legal chassis is equipped altogether with an engine meeting the LM specification and with the comfort provided to the wealthy clients of the GT. Aware of creating a masterpiece of contemporary automobile, Murray signed it on the transmission tunnel.
This extraordinary McLaren is for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 13, lot 107. This car is exceptional without being unique: another F1 chassis was also equipped with a LM engine.
The F1 GTR is the version for the race. The F1 GT was created to demonstrate to the boards regulating the competitions that the concepts of GTR were consistent with the features of a grand tourer. It was not proposed in the commercial catalog but after the completion of the prototype two F1 chassis were upgraded to F1 GT on special orders from private clients.
The F1 LM is a lighter version of the F1 GTR. Intended for wealthy private clients, it was built in 1995 as one prototype and five units. It could reach 385 km/h through a modification of the engine that disqualified it against the competition regulations.
In 1998 the F1 series is going to its close out. The engineers from McLaren Special Operations are responsible for producing the most exciting car of this so successful series, somehow the ultimate F1 with all possible improvements, the best supercar of its time.
The 63th and penultimate F1 street legal chassis is equipped altogether with an engine meeting the LM specification and with the comfort provided to the wealthy clients of the GT. Aware of creating a masterpiece of contemporary automobile, Murray signed it on the transmission tunnel.
This extraordinary McLaren is for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 13, lot 107. This car is exceptional without being unique: another F1 chassis was also equipped with a LM engine.
1994-2001 The F1 Special
2019 SOLD for $ 20M including premium
Created in 1989, McLaren Cars manages to realize an old dream of Bruce McLaren : a road car that combines all the imaginable qualities. The first model of the brand is the F1. Speed, acceleration, comfort, security : it reaches its most ambitious goals. It does not matter that the arrangement of the three seats is incompatible with a road homologation in the United States.
Competition versions are added to the basic road version. In its first year in 1995, the F1 GTR dominates the 24 hours of Le Mans : the 5 cars are ranked first, third, fourth, fifth and thirteenth.
McLaren commemorates this overwhelming success in the same year with a new variant made in five units, the F1 LM. The engine of the GTR is reused but without the power restrictions required for the competitions. Aerodynamics are modified to maintain the stability, including the installation of a rear wing and the modification of the nose. Without exceeding the top speed of the GTR, the LM has a sensational acceleration, reaching 160 km/h in less than 6 seconds.
To keep cars in perfect condition and please the customers, McLaren creates a division in charge of service and of bespoke customization, which will much later become McLaren Special Operations.
In 1998 the penultimate road car was specially followed in production. When it is finished, the customer leaves it at the factory for having it upgraded to the LM specification. It was sold for $ 13.8M including premium by RM Sotheby's on August 13, 2015.
The second owner of an F1 made in 1994 requires a similar modification. Transformed in two rounds in 2000 and 2001, this second and last F1 upgraded to F1 LM specification benefits from the latest developments and can be considered as the ultimate achievement of the best model of its time. It is estimated $ 21M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 16, lot 261.
Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Competition versions are added to the basic road version. In its first year in 1995, the F1 GTR dominates the 24 hours of Le Mans : the 5 cars are ranked first, third, fourth, fifth and thirteenth.
McLaren commemorates this overwhelming success in the same year with a new variant made in five units, the F1 LM. The engine of the GTR is reused but without the power restrictions required for the competitions. Aerodynamics are modified to maintain the stability, including the installation of a rear wing and the modification of the nose. Without exceeding the top speed of the GTR, the LM has a sensational acceleration, reaching 160 km/h in less than 6 seconds.
To keep cars in perfect condition and please the customers, McLaren creates a division in charge of service and of bespoke customization, which will much later become McLaren Special Operations.
In 1998 the penultimate road car was specially followed in production. When it is finished, the customer leaves it at the factory for having it upgraded to the LM specification. It was sold for $ 13.8M including premium by RM Sotheby's on August 13, 2015.
The second owner of an F1 made in 1994 requires a similar modification. Transformed in two rounds in 2000 and 2001, this second and last F1 upgraded to F1 LM specification benefits from the latest developments and can be considered as the ultimate achievement of the best model of its time. It is estimated $ 21M for sale by RM Sotheby's in Monterey on August 16, lot 261.
Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
