Supercars
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Cars II British cars McLaren Big Five
Chronology : 1995 1997 1998 2001 2002 2003
See also : Cars II British cars McLaren Big Five
Chronology : 1995 1997 1998 2001 2002 2003
Intro
The oil crisis of the 1970s halted for ten years the market of the high-end production cars. However, technological advances already hinted further wonderful vehicles. The restart is triggered in the following decade by the short-lived Group B of the FIA. Ferrari develops the 288 GTO which is recorded at 303 Km/h in 1985. Porsche improves the 911 and introduces the 959.
The breakthrough of this evolution becomes visible in 1992 when McLaren unveils the F1, which will be timed in the following year at 370 Km/h with the rev limiter and 386 Km/h when disabling it.
The breakthrough of this evolution becomes visible in 1992 when McLaren unveils the F1, which will be timed in the following year at 370 Km/h with the rev limiter and 386 Km/h when disabling it.
McLaren F1
Intro
The McLaren F1 is the result of a brainstorming between the managers of the group in 1988. In that year their dominance over Formula One is total : Senna and Prost win 15 of the 16 Grands Prix.
Technical director since 1987, Gordon Murray convinces his bosses to develop the most powerful, most comfortable and most elegant grand touring car of all time. The model is named F1 for announcing that the same care should be taken in the design and manufacture of this coupe as for a Formula One car.
The first prototype is unveiled in Monaco in 1992. The F1 had the great merit to start the commercial production of supercars after the dark years of the oil crisis. Nearly fifteen years after the series was terminated with its 106th unit in 1998, it was still the fastest model of road cars.
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 pilot 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 original 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.
Technical director since 1987, Gordon Murray convinces his bosses to develop the most powerful, most comfortable and most elegant grand touring car of all time. The model is named F1 for announcing that the same care should be taken in the design and manufacture of this coupe as for a Formula One car.
The first prototype is unveiled in Monaco in 1992. The F1 had the great merit to start the commercial production of supercars after the dark years of the oil crisis. Nearly fifteen years after the series was terminated with its 106th unit in 1998, it was still the fastest model of road cars.
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 pilot 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 original 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.
1
1994
2021 SOLD for $ 20.5M by Gooding
The McLaren F1 was acclaimed in due course as a sensational breakthrough in automotive history, both technically and aesthetically. In 1995 a private Japanese collector purchased an F1 for keeping it forever in museum condition out of public view. His car with chassis number 029 had been the last one assembled in 1994 and is titled 1995.
029 has been carefully maintained and serviced like any road going car while being driven for about 300 km only in Japan, most of it cumulated during a promotional filming session. The first owner parted from it after 17 years. The same care was applied by a subsequent long term owner in the USA who added less than 100 km on the odometer when making it US emission compliant.
The car is in pristine condition with a wide set of factory supplied tooling, documentation, and spares even including flashlight. It is preserving its one-off original color scheme of brown hues and its original 1994 Goodyear Eagle tires that had been specially designed for the F1. It is accompanied by the few equipment that were changed in 2014 for making it US legal. While not driven afterward, it was regularly maintained with fluid changes.
It was sold for $ 20.5M from a lower estimate of $ 15M by Gooding on August 13, 2021, lot 29. It is indeed a perfectly preserved example of the best road car model of the later 20th century. It is illustrated in the pre sale press release. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
029 has been carefully maintained and serviced like any road going car while being driven for about 300 km only in Japan, most of it cumulated during a promotional filming session. The first owner parted from it after 17 years. The same care was applied by a subsequent long term owner in the USA who added less than 100 km on the odometer when making it US emission compliant.
The car is in pristine condition with a wide set of factory supplied tooling, documentation, and spares even including flashlight. It is preserving its one-off original color scheme of brown hues and its original 1994 Goodyear Eagle tires that had been specially designed for the F1. It is accompanied by the few equipment that were changed in 2014 for making it US legal. While not driven afterward, it was regularly maintained with fluid changes.
It was sold for $ 20.5M from a lower estimate of $ 15M by Gooding on August 13, 2021, lot 29. It is indeed a perfectly preserved example of the best road car model of the later 20th century. It is illustrated in the pre sale press release. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
2
1995
2017 SOLD for $ 15.6M by Bonhams
The F1 is the best but 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, 2017, Bonhams sold for $ 15.6M as lot 73 an F1 made in 1995, chassis number 044, 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
On August 18, 2017, Bonhams sold for $ 15.6M as lot 73 an F1 made in 1995, chassis number 044, 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
3
1997
2013 SOLD for $ 8.5M by Gooding
An F1 made in 1997 was sold for $ 8.5M by Gooding on August 17, 2013, lot 51. With 22,000 km from new, it had its original paint in magnesium silver color along with its original toolbox and documentation.
4
1998 Special
2015 SOLD for $ 13.8M by RM Sotheby's
There are some variations among the 106 vehicles produced from 1992 to 1998.
The racing car was a logical development for the F1. The F1 GTR was released in 1995. The F1 road car was far ahead of its time, but on track the competition was rude with Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. In 1997, the chassis is changed. The F1 GTR Longtail, produced in ten units, is the ultimate competition model in this series. The third Longtail was sold for $ 5.3M by Gooding on 17-18 January, 2014.
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. It was built in 1995 as one prototype and five units. 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.
In its first year in 1995, the F1 LM dominates the 24 hours of Le Mans : the 5 cars are ranked first, third, fourth, fifth and thirteenth. Later one of them was timed at 385 km/h.
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 special car was sold for $ 13.8M by RM Sotheby's on August 13, 2015, lot 107. It is exceptional without being unique : another F1 chassis was also equipped with a LM engine.
The racing car was a logical development for the F1. The F1 GTR was released in 1995. The F1 road car was far ahead of its time, but on track the competition was rude with Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. In 1997, the chassis is changed. The F1 GTR Longtail, produced in ten units, is the ultimate competition model in this series. The third Longtail was sold for $ 5.3M by Gooding on 17-18 January, 2014.
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. It was built in 1995 as one prototype and five units. 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.
In its first year in 1995, the F1 LM dominates the 24 hours of Le Mans : the 5 cars are ranked first, third, fourth, fifth and thirteenth. Later one of them was timed at 385 km/h.
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 special car was sold for $ 13.8M by RM Sotheby's on August 13, 2015, lot 107. It is exceptional without being unique : another F1 chassis was also equipped with a LM engine.
5
1994-2001 Special
2019 SOLD for $ 20M by RM Sotheby's
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 by RM Sotheby's in 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 was sold for $ 20M by RM Sotheby's on August 16, 2019, lot 261. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
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 by RM Sotheby's in 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 was sold for $ 20M by RM Sotheby's on August 16, 2019, lot 261. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
Ferrari Formula 1
1
1998 F300
2022 SOLD for $ 6.2M by RM Sotheby's
After being Formula 1 world champion with Benetton in 1994 and 1995, Michael Schumacher became Ferrari's star driver in 1996. At that time Ferrari was entering a new model every year in the Grand Prix.
Ferrari had not won a Formula One world drivers' championship since 1979 and the championship for constructors since 1983. They become once again a formidable challenger in 1998 with the F300 and Schumacher as its leading driver. The 1998 winners were Häkkinen just ahead of Schumacher and McLaren-Mercedes just ahead of Ferrari.
The Ferrari model of the 1998 season was the F300. Its new 3.0-liter 80 degrees V-10 engine reached 17,500 rpm producing 800 hp. The aerodynamics was improved from the previous F310B by a width shortening and a new exhaust reduced the heating.
Schumacher competed in the 16 Grand Prix of the season, winning 6 of them. He used various F300 cars for that purpose.
One of these cars was undefeated in its four entries. After being an unused spare cars in Monaco, it won the three successive Canadian, French and British Grand Prix in June and July plus the Italian Grand Prix in September. It is still now the only undefeated FIA Grand Prix chassis with at least three wins.
It was never re-used after its Italian win and was kept in an unrestored and unaltered as-raced condition. It was sold for $ 6.2M by RM Sotheby's on August 20, 2022, lot 342. Please watch the video shared by the auction including an interview with Jean Todt, the team manager who was operating in that period the resurgence of the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1.
Another F300 also driven by Schumacher in 1998 fetched $ 1.87M in January 2014 at Barrett-Jackson.
Ferrari had not won a Formula One world drivers' championship since 1979 and the championship for constructors since 1983. They become once again a formidable challenger in 1998 with the F300 and Schumacher as its leading driver. The 1998 winners were Häkkinen just ahead of Schumacher and McLaren-Mercedes just ahead of Ferrari.
The Ferrari model of the 1998 season was the F300. Its new 3.0-liter 80 degrees V-10 engine reached 17,500 rpm producing 800 hp. The aerodynamics was improved from the previous F310B by a width shortening and a new exhaust reduced the heating.
Schumacher competed in the 16 Grand Prix of the season, winning 6 of them. He used various F300 cars for that purpose.
One of these cars was undefeated in its four entries. After being an unused spare cars in Monaco, it won the three successive Canadian, French and British Grand Prix in June and July plus the Italian Grand Prix in September. It is still now the only undefeated FIA Grand Prix chassis with at least three wins.
It was never re-used after its Italian win and was kept in an unrestored and unaltered as-raced condition. It was sold for $ 6.2M by RM Sotheby's on August 20, 2022, lot 342. Please watch the video shared by the auction including an interview with Jean Todt, the team manager who was operating in that period the resurgence of the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1.
Another F300 also driven by Schumacher in 1998 fetched $ 1.87M in January 2014 at Barrett-Jackson.
2
2001 F2001
2017 SOLD for $ 7.5M by RM Sotheby's
A two-time world champion with Benetton in 1994 and 1995, Michael Schumacher won his third and fourth championship in 2000 and 2001 with Ferrari. He won nine of the seventeen grand prix in 2000 with the F1-2000 model and nine of the seventeen grand prix in 2001 with the F2001 model.
The new Ferrari model for 2001 was the F2001 characterized by a spectacular low nose.
An F2001 twice driven to was sold for $ 7.5M by RM Sotheby's on November 16, 2017, lot 55. Sotheby's assisted by RM Sotheby's had entered the car in the post-war and contemporary art evening auction with an estimate of $ 4M, which could revive the interest of collectors for this prestigious class of vehicles. Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's.
On May 27, 2001 that F2001 had won the Monaco Grand Prix, giving Schumacher his fifth and last victory in this highly difficult competition but not reaching Ayrton Senna's record.
His victory with the same car at the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 19, 2001 is even more significant. While there are still four Grand Prix to finish the season, it ensures Schumacher his fourth title of Drivers' world champion and to Ferrari their eleventh title of Constructors' world champion. With this 51st victory Schumacher equaled the record of victories in Formula 1 Grand Prix held by Alain Prost since 1993.
The new Ferrari model for 2001 was the F2001 characterized by a spectacular low nose.
An F2001 twice driven to was sold for $ 7.5M by RM Sotheby's on November 16, 2017, lot 55. Sotheby's assisted by RM Sotheby's had entered the car in the post-war and contemporary art evening auction with an estimate of $ 4M, which could revive the interest of collectors for this prestigious class of vehicles. Please watch the video shared by Sotheby's.
On May 27, 2001 that F2001 had won the Monaco Grand Prix, giving Schumacher his fifth and last victory in this highly difficult competition but not reaching Ayrton Senna's record.
His victory with the same car at the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 19, 2001 is even more significant. While there are still four Grand Prix to finish the season, it ensures Schumacher his fourth title of Drivers' world champion and to Ferrari their eleventh title of Constructors' world champion. With this 51st victory Schumacher equaled the record of victories in Formula 1 Grand Prix held by Alain Prost since 1993.
3
2002 F2002
2019 SOLD for $ 6.6M by RM Sotheby's
For 2002 Ferrari prepares the F2002. Inspired by the F2001, it is largely modified with a lighter body, a new specification of the V-10 3 liter engine and significant improvements in the gearbox, aerodynamics, cooling, balance of weights.
The development of the F2002 is a bit late. Schumacher drives an F2001 in the first two grand prix, winning one of them. For the fifteen grand prix of the rest of the season, he uses the F2002 with which he records ten victories. The same model brings four wins to his teammate Rubens Barrichello. The only failure of the F2002 in this phase is the Grand Prix of Monaco where Schumacher is 2nd behind a McLaren-Mercedes.
On November 30, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, RM Sotheby's sold for US $ 6.6M from a lower estimate of $ 5.5M an F2002, lot 117. Please watch the video shared by the auction house. The image is shared by Wikimedia with attribution: I, SilverArrows [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
This car won the 2002 Grand Prix of San Marino, Austria and France. The victory at Magny-Cours secures Schumacher's World championship title with six races still remaining. Such dominance of a car model and a champion is unique in the history of Formula 1.
In the following year this model is already out of date. Schumacher still wins with another F2002 the fourth grand prix of that season which he will continue with the F2003-GA.
The development of the F2002 is a bit late. Schumacher drives an F2001 in the first two grand prix, winning one of them. For the fifteen grand prix of the rest of the season, he uses the F2002 with which he records ten victories. The same model brings four wins to his teammate Rubens Barrichello. The only failure of the F2002 in this phase is the Grand Prix of Monaco where Schumacher is 2nd behind a McLaren-Mercedes.
On November 30, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, RM Sotheby's sold for US $ 6.6M from a lower estimate of $ 5.5M an F2002, lot 117. Please watch the video shared by the auction house. The image is shared by Wikimedia with attribution: I, SilverArrows [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
This car won the 2002 Grand Prix of San Marino, Austria and France. The victory at Magny-Cours secures Schumacher's World championship title with six races still remaining. Such dominance of a car model and a champion is unique in the history of Formula 1.
In the following year this model is already out of date. Schumacher still wins with another F2002 the fourth grand prix of that season which he will continue with the F2003-GA.
4
2003 F2003 GA
2022 SOLD for CHF 14.6M by RM Sotheby's
In 2003 Ferrari begins the Formula 1 season with the F2002, replaced from the fifth Grand Prix by the F2003 GA. The 2003 had a longer wheelbase to improve the aerodynamics. GA reads as a tribute to the late Gianni Agnelli, reminding that Ferrari was then a company of the Fiat group.
After the 16th and last Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher is the world drivers's champion for the sixth time, surpassing Fangio's record of five and including four consecutive seasons as Fangio had done.
In that highly disputed season against McLaren, Schumacher had one win with an F2002 and five wins plus two podiums with only one F2003 GA chassis while he used another chassis in three mid season Grand Prix with no win.
This highly successful F2003 still in full running order was sold for CHF 14.6M from a lower esimate of CHF 7.5M by Sotheby's in association with RM Sotheby's in a single lot auction on November 9, 2022. Please watch the video shared by RM Sotheby's, in which the car is narrated and driven by Michael Schumacher's son Mick.
A total of six F2003 GA had been built.
After the 16th and last Grand Prix, Michael Schumacher is the world drivers's champion for the sixth time, surpassing Fangio's record of five and including four consecutive seasons as Fangio had done.
In that highly disputed season against McLaren, Schumacher had one win with an F2002 and five wins plus two podiums with only one F2003 GA chassis while he used another chassis in three mid season Grand Prix with no win.
This highly successful F2003 still in full running order was sold for CHF 14.6M from a lower esimate of CHF 7.5M by Sotheby's in association with RM Sotheby's in a single lot auction on November 9, 2022. Please watch the video shared by RM Sotheby's, in which the car is narrated and driven by Michael Schumacher's son Mick.
A total of six F2003 GA had been built.
2005 Ferrari Enzo
2015 SOLD for $ 6M by RM Sotheby's
Released in 1993, the Ferrari F50 did not reach the success of its predecessor the F40. The scheduled figure of 349 cars will not be increased.
Ten years later the Enzo starts better. The marketing was similar, with 349 cars sold before the production to customers selected by the brand, but the requests from non-selected users made it increase to 399. All these cars were made in 2003. The very expensive sale ticket was about $ 650,000.
Taking benefit of some Formula One technologies, the Enzo could reach 100 km/h in about 3.5 seconds and 200km/h in 9.5 seconds, plus a top speed at 350 km/h. Some fans of previous models objected against its rude shape designed by the Pininfarina workshop for improving the aerodynamics and the driving experience.
An Enzo was sold for $ 3.36M by RM Sotheby's on August 14, 2021, lot 316. Its rare nero finish had long been covered by a protective film. Originally owned by casino mogul Steve Wynn, it had been used in a paid admission display at Las Vegas.
That figure of 399 units was undeniably an invite to round it in a prestige operation. The 400th Enzo was made in 2005 for being presented to Pope John Paul II. The Pope did not accept the car but desired that its proceeds are donated to the victims of a Southeast Asian tsunami. The final Enzo was sold at auction by Sotheby's for $ 1.27M on June 28, 2005 and the instructions of the then deceased Pope were executed by his successor.
Still with less than 200 km from new, the car was sold for $ 6M by RM Sotheby's on August 13, 2015, lot 103.
For later similar prestige operations, Ferrari preferred selecting the charities and going directly at auction. The final LaFerrari coupe was sold for $ 7M in 2016 for the reconstruction after the Italian earthquakes and the still unassembled final LaFerrari Aperta for € 8.3M in 2017 for the benefit of Save the Children charity. Both sales were managed jointly by RM Sotheby's and Ferrari without adding a buyer's premium.
Ten years later the Enzo starts better. The marketing was similar, with 349 cars sold before the production to customers selected by the brand, but the requests from non-selected users made it increase to 399. All these cars were made in 2003. The very expensive sale ticket was about $ 650,000.
Taking benefit of some Formula One technologies, the Enzo could reach 100 km/h in about 3.5 seconds and 200km/h in 9.5 seconds, plus a top speed at 350 km/h. Some fans of previous models objected against its rude shape designed by the Pininfarina workshop for improving the aerodynamics and the driving experience.
An Enzo was sold for $ 3.36M by RM Sotheby's on August 14, 2021, lot 316. Its rare nero finish had long been covered by a protective film. Originally owned by casino mogul Steve Wynn, it had been used in a paid admission display at Las Vegas.
That figure of 399 units was undeniably an invite to round it in a prestige operation. The 400th Enzo was made in 2005 for being presented to Pope John Paul II. The Pope did not accept the car but desired that its proceeds are donated to the victims of a Southeast Asian tsunami. The final Enzo was sold at auction by Sotheby's for $ 1.27M on June 28, 2005 and the instructions of the then deceased Pope were executed by his successor.
Still with less than 200 km from new, the car was sold for $ 6M by RM Sotheby's on August 13, 2015, lot 103.
For later similar prestige operations, Ferrari preferred selecting the charities and going directly at auction. The final LaFerrari coupe was sold for $ 7M in 2016 for the reconstruction after the Italian earthquakes and the still unassembled final LaFerrari Aperta for € 8.3M in 2017 for the benefit of Save the Children charity. Both sales were managed jointly by RM Sotheby's and Ferrari without adding a buyer's premium.
