A MCLAREN supercar described as “one of the most desirable in existence” has been put on the market for more than £15million.
The F1, where the driver is positioned in the middle with a passenger on either side, is the most sought-after modern-day motor.
5
And this 1998 model, which was one of the last F1’s built, has been upgraded to “LM” specification – making it quicker on the track while remaining road legal.
The Woking-built supercar is fitted with a 6.1-litre V12 engine which produces around 680bhp.
This gives it a 0-62mph time of around three seconds, with a top speed of 240mph.
Inside, the F1 LM has been fitted with a number of luxuries including air-conditioning, sat-nav and a helicopter-grade car-to-car radio and intercom system.
5
5
And despite being 20 years old, the car has been driven just 4,154 miles.
It has now been put on the market through the newly-formed private sales department at RM Sotheby’s for “in excess of $20 million” (£15.2million).
McLaren F1 values are soaring, with a standard model costing around £540,000 in 1990s.
But recently the supercars have seen an even bigger spike in popularity, with this model going up for sale for almost double the £8.8million the current owner paid for it just three years ago.
5
5
The F1 has been labelled the modern day Ferrari 250 GTO – currently the most valuable car in the world with a £52million price tag.
A number of big name celebrities have owned one of the classic British models, including Jay Leno, Ralph Lauren, George Harrison and Rowan Atkinson.
In 1998, an F1 became the world’s fastest production when it hit 243mph on a closed track, smashing the previous record by an incredible 30mph.
The motor held the record for a further seven years, and still remains the world’s fastest non-turbocharged or supercharged road car.
Even though it was purpose-built to be the world’s fastest and finest road car, the F1’s performance was unrivaled on the track, and a McLaren F1 took 1st overall in the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans.
More classic motors up for sale
RM Sotheby’s has called it “the ultimate F1”, saying the upgrades carried out have produced a car lauded “by many as the finest F1 in existence, as it is a perfect mix of the best aspects of both the original road car and the radical LM”.
A statement from RM Sotheby’s said: “Here, in the ultimate version of the greatest automobile ever built, its new owner will become the next member of a close-knit and exclusive fraternity of enthusiasts, each of whom is dedicated to serving as the custodian of a McLaren F1 and enjoying it at speed.
“To call this car the ‘modern 250 GTO’ is no exaggeration, nor is the exclusivity of joining this rarified club.”
