McLaren F1: The Supercar That Outran Time

The McLaren F1 is not just a car – it’s a legend that continues to mesmerize automotive enthusiasts around the world. Conceived in 1992 by visionary engineer Gordon Murray, the F1 was designed to fulfill the dream of the ultimate driver-focused supercar. It didn’t just meet expectations; it changed the trajectory of collectible automotive history and became one of the most sought-after and valued vehicles.

Revolutionary Engineering and the Price of Lightness

What set the McLaren F1 apart wasn’t just its design, but its groundbreaking engineering. It was the first production car to feature a carbon fiber monocoque chassis – a concept borrowed from Formula 1 that drastically reduced weight and enhanced structural rigidity.

In the relentless pursuit of lightness, the F1 did away with what many considered essentials: no power steering, no anti-lock brakes (ABS), and no traction control. The engine bay was lined with a thin layer of gold to reflect heat, the wheels were made of magnesium alloy, and titanium bolts were used throughout. The result? A curb weight of just 1,138 kg.

Speed, Records, and a Racing Legacy

Powering the McLaren F1 is a naturally aspirated 6.1-liter BMW V12 engine producing 627 horsepower. This powerhouse launched the F1 to a record-breaking top speed of 386 km/h (240.1 mph) – a record it held until 2005, when the Bugatti Veyron clocked in at 407 km/h. Koenigsegg would later push the bar even higher with the Agera RS hitting 458 km/h.

A total of 106 McLaren F1 cars were produced: 64 road cars, 28 GTRs (race-spec Le Mans models), 5 LMs (lightweight, high-performance versions inspired by the Le Mans winner), 3 GTs (long-tail models), and 6 prototypes.

Interestingly, the F1 wasn’t initially built for racing, yet a modified version of it surprised the motorsport world by winning the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans, outpacing purpose-built race prototypes.

Valuation and Auction Record 

At launch, the McLaren F1 had a steep price tag of around $640,000 – eye-watering at the time. But with only 106 units ever built and its reputation as one of the finest supercars ever created, its value has soared.

In August 2021, at the Gooding & Company auction during Pebble Beach, a 1995 McLaren F1 with just 387 kilometers on the clock sold for a staggering $20.465 million, setting a new record for the model. This particular chassis, number 025, featured a rare “Creighton Brown” exterior paired with a two-tone Light Tan and Dark Brown leather interior. It also included factory-original accessories: custom luggage, gold-plated titanium tool kit, and Goodyear Eagle F1 tires.

Famous McLaren F1 Owners

The F1’s rarity and mystique attracted some of the world’s most recognizable figures:

• Rowan Atkinson – The British actor best known as Mr. Bean famously crashed his F1 twice, had it fully restored and sold with an approx. $11 million profit.
• George Harrison – The Beatles guitarist and passionate car enthusiast.
• Ralph Lauren – The iconic fashion designer with a renowned automotive collection.
• Jay Leno – American comedian and TV host with a garage full of rare cars.
• Elon Musk – Crashed his F1 in 2000 while showing off to investor Peter Thiel. The car was uninsured and later sold.
• Hassanal Bolkiah – The Sultan of Brunei, known for his ultra-exclusive car fleet.

Where to See a McLaren F1  in Europe?

Out of the 106 McLaren F1s ever built, only 100 remain today – six have been reportedly lost to accidents. The majority of cars are located in the United Kingdom (40 units) and the United States (30 units), while a few reside in countries like Bahrain, Brunei, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, and others. Notably, the royal family of Brunei owns seven of them, including four racing variants.

Want to see one up close? While no F1s are known to be permanently displayed in the Baltics, mainland European car shows and museums occasionally feature them. Commody recommends the Retromobile Show in Paris, which has exhibited several F1s in recent years.

Every Collector’s Dream

The McLaren F1 isn’t just a dream car—it’s a symbol of innovation, obsession with performance, and engineering purity. It redefined what a road car could be and continues to set the bar for collectible automobiles.

Would you love to have an F1 in your garage? So would we. While we can’t offer one just yet, Commody lets you start building your dream garage today—for as little as €25. Create your account, explore our curated collectible cars, and become part of a passionate community.

Want to read more about the most coveted collectible cars? Check out our blog post on the legendary cars we spotted in Retromobile Paris 2025: 10 Collectible Legends from Retromobile 2025.