Las Vegas, US – 24 November 2025 – In a dramatic display of automotive theatre, Gordon Murray Special Vehicles (GMSV) has made history with the sale of its S1 LM supercar (Chassis #1) for a staggering $20,630,000 (£15,772,774) at a Las Vegas auction. This landmark transaction establishes the S1 LM as the most expensive new car ever sold at auction, excluding charitable sales.
The record-breaking sale took place during an unforgettable evening at the amfAR Gala Dinner, coinciding with the Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix. The S1 LM made a theatrical entrance, arriving suspended beneath a helicopter before descending gracefully into the Wynn Las Vegas venue, perfectly underscoring its reputation as the ‘Special One’.
Bidding was fierce, with collectors present at the gala and remote participants worldwide competing for the ultra-exclusive chassis. The final hammer price not only set a new benchmark for new car auctions but also cemented the S1 LM’s status as a contemporary automotive masterpiece.
An Unparalleled Customer Journey
The winning bidder now embarks on an extraordinary ownership experience. This goes far beyond possession of one of the rarest supercars ever created:
- Bespoke Collaboration: Personal specification sessions with Professor Gordon Murray CBE, allowing the customer to shape every aspect of their S1 LM.
- Performance Feedback: Development drives with four-time IndyCar champion and three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti, ensuring the car’s performance is honed to perfection.
- Exclusive Access: Participation in final development alongside the GMSV team, contributing to the engineering and artistry of the vehicle.
- Legacy Documentation: A 500-page monograph chronicling the S1 LM’s creation, featuring original sketches and notes from Gordon Murray’s personal design notebook.
Professor Gordon Murray CBE said of the sale: “This world record auction result is a defining moment for our team and the automotive world. The S1 LM represents everything I have learned in six decades of design – a pure expression of driving perfection, engineering art, and a true return to beauty. To see it achieve this scale of appreciation is truly humbling.”
The ‘Special One’
The S1 LM is the first creation from Gordon Murray Special Vehicles and the pinnacle of driver-focused design. Only five examples will ever be built, each combining lightweight engineering with timeless styling. Key highlights include:
- Styling inspired by the 1995 Le Mans-winning McLaren F1 GTR
- Bespoke 4.3-litre V12 engine producing 720 PS at 12,100 rpm
- Newly optimised six-speed manual gearbox and race-inspired suspension
- Ultra-lightweight carbon fibre body panels
- Naked Polish Carbon Fibre interior with unique artistic detailing
Every element of the S1 LM embodies Murray’s seven principles: Driving Perfection, Lightweight, Engineering Art, A Return to Beauty, Exclusivity, and The Customer Journey.
Originally unveiled at Monterey Car Week in August 2025, all five S1 LMs were reportedly purchased by a single collector. The Las Vegas auction marks the historic sale of the first chassis, while the remaining four examples remain shrouded in secrecy.
With its record-breaking sale and theatrical debut, the S1 LM has not only rewritten the record books but also reaffirmed Gordon Murray Special Vehicles’ place at the pinnacle of automotive artistry.
