'LM-spec' McLaren F1 for sale at RM Sotheby's

RM now offers a private sales division, and would you just look at what's for sale?

Anybody who enjoys daydreaming about Lotto win garages - and let's face it, who doesn't? - will be aware of RM Sotheby's. Because its auctions tend to feature all the exotica you could ever want. But now RM now has an additional way to waste time at work (and buy very expensive cars) with its Private Sales department. As you might expect, it features some rather nice stuff...

In amongst the Aston DB AR1 Zagato, the Ferrari 275 GTB and the Mercedes-Benz 680 S Torpedo Sport Avant Garde, however, is this: a McLaren F1 'LM Specification', one of the most important and desirable F1s ever made. Which, by extension, probably makes it one of the most important and desirable hypercars in history.

'LM Specification' is the key, F1 chassis #73 being one of just two road versions upgraded to the same engine spec as the Le Mans cars. That means a higher compression ratio, new pistons and new cams to create 680hp at 7,800rpm, up from 636 as standard. In addition this F1 was upgraded at Woking (by the team that's now McLaren Special Operations) with the Extra High Downforce package, boasting a new rear spoiler with Gurney flap, revised front end with more vents and a set of 18-inch wheels.

Originally painted AMG Green Velvet with a two-tone cream and green interior, this F1 was resprayed and retrimmed in orange with magnolia. It was also upgraded with air-con, sat-nav and, according to RM, a "helicopter-grade car-to-car radio and intercom system." Oh yes, and Gordon Murray has signed it, too.

Having covered 6,000km with its original owner, F1 #73 currently sits on just 6,700 and will be sold with original manuals, gold-plated titanium Facom tool roll and the standard exhaust (it having been swapped for something racier as part of the LM overhaul).

So yes, it's a pretty special McLaren F1, even by the ludicrously exalted standards of McLaren F1s. RM describes it as "a perfect mix of the best aspects of both the original road car and the radical LM", which we wouldn't disagree with. It's rarer than the LM yet more accommodating, while being faster and more focused than the road car as well. What more could you want?

As for price, it's upon request. Natch. But given the specification, plus the fact that RM sold it in 2015 for $13.7m, you can probably make an educated guess at it being Quite Expensive. Still, you would if you could, right?