NEWS FLASH: McLaren F1 'LM-Specification' Leads Night Two of RM Sotheby's Monterey Auction at Record $19.8 Million

MONTEREY, California (16 August 2019) – This evening in Monterey, California, RM Sotheby’s sold the 1994 McLaren F1 ‘LM-Specification’, the world’s most revered modern supercar, for $19.8 million, becoming the most valuable McLaren ever sold at auction.

The world’s fastest naturally aspirated production car, serial no. 018 is one of just two upgraded to Le Mans specification by McLaren, equipped with the GTR engine and an extra high-downforce package that went above and beyond the coachwork effects of the original five LM cars. Used on a handful of tours and rallies, the fastidiously-cared-for McLaren was offered at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction in exceptional condition, showing just 21,500 km, the best imaginable iteration of an already perfect machine. With the crowd on their feet as the car drove onto the auction podium, four bidders vied for four-and-a-half-minutes before the car sold to a private collector based in the United States.

 

The sale also saw exceptional results with the 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype, chassis no. GT/108, which sold for $7.65 million (est. $7m/9m). The forefather of “the pace car for an entire company”, the car was influential in the development of Detroit’s first purpose- built prototype-class race car, which famously went on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans for four consecutive years.

 

The auction continues Saturday, 17 August at the Monterey Conference Center, headlined by the presentation of the 1939 Porsche Type 64, the antecedent of the Porsche brand. Official results will be available following sale. For further information on the Monterey auction, please visit rmsothebys.com.