Gordon Murray Unveils Two Stunning Supercars Honoring the Legendary McLaren F1 GTR

Legend Reborn - The thrill of motorsport history has just received a modern encore. Thirty years after Gordon Murray’s F1 GTR stormed to victory at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans, Murray has unveiled something that bridges past and present: the S1 LM. This stunning supercar, built by Gordon Murray Special Vehicles (GMSV), is a road-legal homage to the legendary race car, reimagined with the technology and engineering of the GMA T.50 and T.50s.

The GMSV S1 LM, a stunning supercar, is a road-legal homage to the legendary race car, reimagined by Gordon Murray Special Vehicles (GMSV) using the advanced technology and engineering of the GMA T.50 and T.50s. (Picture from: BBC_TopGear in X)

For a bit of context, the original McLaren F1 was never intended for racing. It was designed as the ultimate road car, yet demand from wealthy enthusiasts and encouragement from McLaren’s Ron Dennis nudged Murray to enter the track world. Limited modifications were made to the F1, but the results were extraordinary: a 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th place finish at its Le Mans debut. The car instantly became a racing icon, and McLaren soon followed up with a handful of LM road cars that captured the spirit of the track machine while offering more power and luxury for road use.

The GMSV S1 LM is a visual masterclass of homage and modern reinterpretation, featuring slim, futuristic headlights that nod to the original F1 GTR, complemented by lozenge-shaped vents and a bridge wing at the front.. (Picture from: TopGear)

Fast forward to 2025, and the S1 LM emerges as a modern interpretation of that iconic machine. Only five of these cars will be built, all commissioned by a single passionate collector who wanted a street-legal F1 GTR tribute. The S1 LM fuses the best elements of the T.50 and T.50s: the lightweight body panels and the innovative three-seat layout with six-speed manual transmission. Every component reflects a careful balance of heritage and cutting-edge engineering.

The GMSV S1 LM features a sharp, three-seat cockpit design and a reworked 4.3-liter V12 producing over 700 horsepower, with upgraded suspension and a solid-mounted engine for precise handling and everyday drivability. (Picture from: TopGear)

The heart of the car, a naturally aspirated V12, has been extensively reworked. Originally a 4.0-liter engine, it now boasts a 4.3-liter capacity with lighter internals and a larger bore, allowing it to scream past 12,000 rpm while producing over 700 horsepower. Suspension upgrades make the car lighter and stiffer than the T.50, and the engine is solid-mounted to deliver razor-sharp handling—all while retaining the refinement needed for everyday driving.

The GMSV S1 LM’s cabin honors Murray’s principles of lightweight engineering while adding playful touches like tartan seats, a wooden shifter, and ear defenders, emphasizing that this is a car to be truly experienced, not just admired. (Picture from: TopGear)

Visually, the S1 LM is a masterclass in homage and modern reinterpretation. Its front features slim, futuristic headlights with nods to the original F1 GTR, along with lozenge-shaped vents and a bridge wing. The side profile combines sharp angles and air intakes with the distinctive three-seat cockpit, while the rear is a showstopper: dual-plane fixed wing, four circular taillights with neon slats, and quad Inconel exhausts.  

The GMSV S1 LM’s rear is a showstopper, featuring a dual-plane fixed wing, four circular taillights with neon slats, and quad Inconel exhausts. (Picture from: TopGear)

Inside, the cabin pays tribute to Murray’s legendary principles of lightweight engineering while injecting playful touches—tartan seats, wooden shifter, and ear defenders—that remind you this is a car meant to be experienced, not just admired.

Here’s the GMSV S1 LM’s sibling, the SV Le Mans GTR, a longtail supercar inspired by classic endurance racers such as the Matra-Simca MS660, Porsche 917, and Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/3, finished in brilliant ocean wave blue and featuring contemporary aerodynamics.th contemporary aerodynamics. (Picture from: RoadAndTrack)

The S1 LM is not GMSV’s only offering. Alongside it, the SV Le Mans GTR has been introduced, a longtail supercar inspired by classic endurance racers such as the Matra-Simca MS660, Porsche 917 and Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/3. The Le Mans GTR finished in a brilliant, ocean wave blue, incorporates contemporary aerodynamics. 

The SV Le Mans GTR is an elegant road-track beast powered by an optimized V12 engine and six-speed manual transmission, featuring Passive Boundary Layer Control for low-drag efficiency, a deep full-width rear wing, and a stiffer, lighter suspension setup. (Picture from: RoadAndTrack)

The elegant road-track beast powered by an optimized V12 engine, and a six-speed manual transmission. It features Passive Boundary Layer Control for low-drag efficiency, a deep full-width rear wing, and a stiffer, lighter suspension setup. Only 24 units will be produced, each tied to a specific moment in the Le Mans race, and all have already found their owners. | Sda_IW28TCM |

With the S1 LM and the Le Mans GTR, Gordon Murray has once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the most visionary minds in automotive design. By blending the legendary past of the F1 GTR with the advanced engineering of the T.50, he has created a car that celebrates history, thrills the senses, and remains eminently road-worthy. The S1 LM and the Le Mans GTR are more than a tribute; it’s a living, breathing connection between one of motorsport’s most iconic victories and the future of supercar innovation. So, what would you like to see next? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BBC_TOPGEAR IN X | TOPGEAR | ROADANDTRACK | ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.