RM Sotheby’s will be opening a special department to sell rare and exquisite cars in an atmosphere of secrecy. Only a chosen few clients will be invited to participate in each of the auctions, and all trade information will be kept strictly confidential.
The last-but-one McLaren F1 supercar to have been produced will be the first to go under the hammer in a non-public format.
The vehicle left the works in 1998 lacquered green with creamy-green leather finishing of the interior. However, it hasn’t even been a year until its owner ordered it personalized in the McLaren Special Operations (MSO) atelier.
The engineers took out the stock 6.0-liter naturally-aspirated V12 engine and installed a racing-grade GTR motor in its place. As a result, the performance of the McLaren F1 went up from 636 to 690 hp (474 to 515 kW). It is worth pointing out that only two street-legal McLaren vehicles in their entire history ever received GTR engines, this being one of them.
The MSO designer team has painted the body of the car orange, designed a new aerodynamic body kit for better downforce, upgraded the cooling and exhaust systems, redesigned the headlights and installed new 18” light alloy wheels.
They have also overhauled the interior completely by changing the upholstery, the steering wheel, the handbrake and the dashboard to match those found in the GTR. Last but not least, they gave it a radio station and GPS navigation.
On an interesting side note, this particular McLaren F1 has already been sold at public auctions before and fetched U.S. $13,700,000 three years ago. Unsurprisingly, its price will remain undisclosed this time around.
Photo: motor1.com