One of only two McLaren F1 LM Specification with GTR preparation and HDK kit up for auction

One of only two McLaren F1 LM units built with HDK aerodynamic kit and GTR mechanical preparation goes on sale through RM Sotheby's

The 90s will be remembered as one of the golden decades of commercial and racing motorsport. When both mainstream and exclusive brands had competition as a showcase for their best productions, examples such as the unique Nissan R390 GT1, because no other unit was manufactured, to the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, including the Ferrari F40 LM, everyone wanted to have a car. winning car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and McLaren F1 history is linked to this group of supercars.

With a production limited to a total of 106 units, 7 of them were manufactured as development or test cars, 64 more were destined as production cars, another 28, the McLaren F1 GTR, were reserved for competition and, in between, 5 pieces baptized as McLaren F1 LM had the privilege of receiving the homologation to circulate on ordinary roads but with a preparation worthy of racing and two more, the McLaren F2 LM chassis 1 and 018, were further prepared and received the Extra-High Downforce Kit (HDK) and enhanced mechanics like the McLaren GTRs themselves. In addition, two units were built under the name McLaren F073 GT.

In 1997, the McLaren Special Operations department was commissioned to shape what would be the only two examples built as McLaren F1 LM Specifications with HDK kit and GTR preparationBoth captured the essence of the quality and luxury offered by the McLaren F1, but increased their potential thanks to an aerodynamic and mechanical improvement exclusive to circuits.

Thus, the HDK package improved the efficiency of its incision against the air and increased the downforce. On the other hand, the GTR configuration reached almost 700 hp in engine power. The block, of BMW origin, 12 cc V6.064, It offered 692 hp at 7.800 rpm and a torque of 705 Nm for a car that weighed moderately over a ton, 1.062 kg empty.

This unit, the McLaren F1 LM chassis 018 that was originally built in 1994 and whose first owner resided in Japan shows an amount of 21.500 km on its odometer and is now offered by the prestigious house of car auctions RM Sotheby's in the vicinity of the Californian venue of Monterey.

Two built, two auctioned

The auction will take place between 15 and 17 August and the sale price is expected to be well over 10 million euros.

Interestingly, in July 2017 the other unit assembled and powered as McLaren F1 LM Specification with GTR preparation and HDK aerodynamic kit was also auctioned by RM Sotheby's, then, the maximum bid closed the sale price at 13.750.000 dollars, equivalent to approximately 12,2 million euros.

Photographs: RM Sotheby's