GMSV S1 LM Revealed: Gordon Murray Reimagines The Iconic McLaren F1 GTR

Iconic automotive design Gordon Murray has reimagined the car that put him on the global map – the McLaren F1. Murray’s reimagined version is called the S1 LM and comes from his brand, aptly named the Gordon Murray Special Vehicles (GMSV). Only five of these will ever be built, and surprisingly, all five have been bought by a single, yet unnamed person. 

A ‘Special One’ For A Special Few

The S1 stands for ‘Special One’ and it has been modelled after the McLaren F1 GTR, the racecar that won the 1995 Le Mans endurance race. The S1 LM is powered by a unique 4.3-litre naturally aspirated V12 that revs to up to 12,100 rpm! Proper power figures haven’t been revealed, but GMSV says the engine produces over 690 bhp. 

GMSV has given the S1 LM a manual gearbox, which is based on the manual gearbox in the Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) T.50 supercar. GMSV claims the gearbox has short rifle-bolt-like throws. Even the suspension is unique to the S1 LM with new geometry, a lower ride height, and unique damper settings for a better driving experience. It has an inconel exhaust system wrapped in 18-karat gold for better heat shielding, and that’s exactly how the exhaust in the McLaren F1 also was. 

A Design Rooted In History, Evolved For Today

On the outside, the S1 LM looks exactly like how the McLaren F1 should have, if it was designed and launched in the 2020s. The large headlamps of the GMA T.50 have been covered to make the headlamps look sleek, and the rear looks like a modern McLaren F1 with louvres covering the round taillamps and the engine section. It also has a fixed rear wing to pay homage to the car it is inspired by. Of course, since this is a Gordon Murray creation, it couldn’t have done without a set of butterfly doors. Even the five-spoke alloy wheels pay homage to the F1 GTR. 

A Cockpit Like No Other

Inside, paying homage to the 1995 model, the S1 LM also comes with a three-seat layout with the driver placed exactly in the middle of the car. GMSV has kept the cabin to a minimum and has a skeletal architecture. The minimalist carbon-fibre steering wheel also has a 30th Anniversary badge right in the middle.

Overall, the dashboard is an evolution of the one in the GMA T.50 with three dials each on either side of the instrument console. There’s a round dial in the middle that has the tachometer, and it’s flanked by two screens.