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

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

The 1990s will be remembered as one of the golden decades of commercial and competition motorsport. When both mainstream and exclusive brands saw competition as the showcase for their finest productions, examples such as the one-off Nissan R390 GT1, through to the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR and passing by the Ferrari F40 LM, all wanted to have a winning car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the history of the McLaren F1 is tied to this group of supercars.

With a limited production of 106 units in total, 7 were built as development or test cars, 64 more were destined as production cars, another 28, the McLaren F1 GTRs, were reserved for competition, and among them, 5 units named McLaren F1 LM had the privilege of receiving approval for road use but with a race-ready preparation, and 2 more, the McLaren F1 LM chassis 018 and 073, were further upgraded and received the Extra-High Downforce Kit (HDK) and a boosted mechanical package like the McLaren GTR cars themselves. In addition, there were two units built under the McLaren F1 GT designation.

In 1997 the McLaren Special Operations department was tasked with shaping what would become the only two examples built as McLaren F1 LM Specifications with HDK kit and GTR preparation. Both captured the essence of the quality and luxury that the McLaren F1 offered, but increased its potential thanks to an exclusive aerodynamic and mechanical upgrade for circuits.

Thus, the HDK package improved the efficiency of its airflow cutting through the air and increased aerodynamic downforce. On the other hand, the GTR configuration pushed engine output to nearly 700 CV. The engine, of BMW origin, is a 6,064 cc V12, delivering 692 CV at 7,800 rpm and 705 Nm of torque for a car that moderately exceeds one tonne in weight, 1,062 kg dry.

This unit, the McLaren F1 LM chassis 018, originally built in 1994 and whose first owner resided in Japan, shows 21,500 km on its odometer and is now offered by the prestigious car auction house RM Sotheby’s around the Californian event in Monterey.

Two built, two auctioned

The auction will take place between 15 and 17 August next month, and the sale price is expected to far exceed 10 million euros.

Curiously, in July 2017 the other unit assembled and upgraded as McLaren F1 LM Specification with GTR preparation and HDK aerodynamic kit was also auctioned by RM Sotheby’s; the top bid then closed the sale price at $13,750,000, equivalent to about 12.2 million euros.

Photographs: RM Sotheby’s