$20 Million for a Supercar: Gordon Murray’s S1 LM Shatters Auction Records

A supercar no one has driven yet achieves historic figures in Las Vegas.

When a car arrives at an auction, the way it’s transported usually indicates its potential value. While an open trailer is fine for ordinary cars, an enclosed transport signals a serious investment. And if the car arrives by helicopter, accountants should start worrying. That’s exactly what happened with the Gordon Murray Special Vehicles S1 LM, a model that has already become legendary before it has even hit the road.

A historic record: Chassis number one of the S1 LM sold for $20,630,000, the highest amount ever paid at auction for a brand-new car. The remarkable part? The car hasn’t even been built and no one has driven it yet, highlighting the iconic value of the project and the prestige of Gordon Murray’s name in the automotive and Formula 1 world.

Exclusivity and Personalized Experience

With only five units planned, the buyer of the first S1 LM receives private sessions with Gordon Murray to determine the car’s exact specifications. They will also participate in development test drives with three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti, providing direct feedback to the engineering team. The package includes a 500-page book featuring original sketches and notes from Murray himself, making it the ultimate collector’s masterpiece.

In terms of performance, the S1 LM blends design and engineering: a body inspired by the 1995 Le Mans-winning McLaren F1 GTR, powered by the heart of the Gordon Murray Automotive T.50, a 4.3-liter V12 producing 710 hp paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. The iconic central driving position and raw V12 sound promise a one-of-a-kind driving experience… though you might want headphones to handle the roar.

Finally, although it was initially announced that all five models had been sold, the auction of chassis number one suggests that there may still be opportunities to acquire one of these automotive masterpieces. Deliveries of the S1 LM are scheduled for 2026, and they will undoubtedly mark a milestone in supercar history.