Looking for something special for your collection? What about an example of one of the greatest supercars of all time that was once owned by one of the world’s richest men?
A 1997 McLaren F1 originally purchased by Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison will be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s during Monterey Car Week. Not only does the car have a famous provenance, but it also remains in excellent condition nearly 30 years after leaving the factory.
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At the tail-end of the 1980s, legendary race car engineer Gordon Murray approached the then-McLaren owner Ron Dennis about developing the F1, a vehicle that would offer best-in-class looks, performance, and driving experience. It was something that many automakers had tried, but few had accomplished, especially with their first road car. But thanks to a body and interior designed by Peter Stevens, a lightweight carbon-fiber monocoque, and a BMW-sourced V-12, the F1 was able to deliver on this promise when it went on sale in 1992. In the process, it redefined what a performance vehicle could be and laid the groundwork for nearly every supercar to follow.
Ellison’s F1, chassis no. 62, was exported to the U.S. by Ameritech in 1997. Despite its numbering, it was the 53rd of 106 road-going and track-only examples of the vehicle that were built, only seven of which made it stateside when new (Elon Musk infamously bought one in 1999), according to the auction listing. The smooth, clean-lined body is finished in Magnesium Silver, while the interior is clad in black leather with a grey driver’s seat insert.
Despite its age, the car promises to be in excellent condition. It’s passed through the hands of two owners in addition to Ellison, both of whom were also based in the San Francisco Bay area. The vehicle’s naturally aspirated 6.1-liter V-12 has actually gotten a workout over the years, with 6,500 miles showing on the odometer. It also features several McLaren Special Operation post-production add-ons, including an upgraded air conditioning system, sports exhaust, and an aluminum fuel tank.
If you’re familiar with the F1, you know that, on the rare chance one hits the open market, it won’t come cheap. Ellison’s car is no different. RM Sotheby’s expects it to sell for more than $23 million when bidding closes on Saturday, August 16.
Click here for more photos of Larry Ellison’s former McLaren F1.
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