Ultra Rare McLaren F1 In LM-Spec Is Going Up For Auction

What you’re looking at here is a 1998 McLaren F1 with the chassis number SA9AB5AC4W1048073 but don’t look at it as just another “regular” F1 with some pieces of body kit applied.

The owner of this particular example commissioned the McLaren Special Operations (MSO) team to upgrade the car to the LM specification where the changes are significant and go beyond the surface.

One of only two which were upgraded by the MSO to LM-spec, this makes the car unique as it has the mechanical upgrades of the LM cars, but still has the creature comforts of the regular McLaren F1 road cars.

Those LM changes begin with a race-spec 6.1-litre naturally-aspirated V12 engine producing 691hp, numerous mechanical and chassis upgrades to cope with the additional power, along with an Extra High Downforce Package by McLaren, installed to increase the downforce generated over the traditional package.

A custom set of 18-inch multi-spoke O.Z. racing wheels are also fitted and the interior has been updated to GT specification. Unlike the original five McLaren F1 LMs produced, this LM-spec version retains its air-conditioning system, stereo, and a Phillips satellite navigation system, as well as a helicopter-grade car-to-car radio and intercom system when you need to chat with your passengers while the race-spec engine gets warmed up.

Interested? Well, auction house RM Sotheby is offering potential owners the chance to bid for this very rare McLaren F1 in Monterey, California from August 13-15. Expect to pay quite a hefty sum.

For those who would like to know what the McLaren F1 LM is, it is based on the McLaren F1 GTR but unlike the track-only racer, receives modifications to make it a road legal car but without the engine intake restrictions the are imposed on the GTR (600hp limitation). Only five units of the McLaren F1 LM were ever produced plus one prototype.