This McLaren F1 Could Break Records. But Not For Speed

The McLaren F1, now 30 years old, is a well-established legend. Launched in 1992, examples sell today well into the millions of dollars. There’s an F1 heading to auction next month that could go for $23 million or more when the hammer drops.

The 1997 F1 in question, sold new to Oracle Software CEO Larry Ellison, has had three total owners and has accumulated less than 6,500 miles. Chassis 062 features several McLaren Special Operations upgrades, such as a sport exhaust (the original comes with the car), an upgraded air conditioning system, upgraded radiators, and an aluminum fuel tank.

The car underwent a major service in October 2023, getting a rebuilt transmission, new spark plugs, and four new tires on the original magnesium wheels. It also got a new battery, a correct windshield, and some repairs made by McLaren Philadelphia to the gold foil that lines the engine bay surrounding the BMW-sourced 6.1-liter V-12.

The McLaren, one of seven imported to the United States, wears Magnesium Silver with a black leather interior and a gray driver’s seat insert. Ellison put only 2,600 miles on the car before selling it in 2005. The second owner sold it to its current owner in 2010, having driven it less than 1,000 miles.

The car has lived its entire life in California, and that’s where RM Sotheby’s will auction it off next month during Monterey Car Week. If it sells for as much as the auction house values it at, it could become one of the most expensive F1s ever sold.