- A 1997 McLaren F1 formerly owned by Oracle CEO Larry Ellison is set for auction at Monterey Car Week.
- The car features McLaren Special Operations upgrades and has travelled fewer than 10,500km.
- Recent servicing in October 2023 included a rebuilt transmission, new tyres and engine bay heat shielding repairs.
A 1997 McLaren F1 with a tech-tycoon twist is headed to auction, and it's tipped to fetch eye-watering figures.
Once owned by Oracle founder Larry Ellison, this Magnesium Silver missile is expected to cross the block at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction next month, with estimates reaching US$23 million ($38.2 million) or even higher.
Chassis 062 is a bona fide unicorn. One of only seven F1s imported to the United States, it boasts an exceptionally low odometer reading of under 6500 miles (10,460km). Ellison himself clocked just 2600 miles before parting ways with it in 2005. Since then, only two more collectors have held the keys, with the current owner acquiring it in 2010.
A V12 masterpiece, pampered and preserved
Underneath the gold-lined engine bay sits the BMW-sourced 6.1-litre naturally aspirated V12, unchanged in its symphonic fury. But Chassis 062 has enjoyed some tasteful modernisation courtesy of McLaren Special Operations, including a sport exhaust (the original’s still included), upgraded radiators and air conditioning and an aluminium fuel tank.
The car received a comprehensive service as recently as October 2023. Highlights include a transmission rebuild, fresh spark plugs, a new battery, a correct-spec windscreen and four new tyres mounted on its original magnesium wheels. McLaren Philadelphia also saw to minor cosmetic work on the gold foil heat shielding.
California dreamin’, but for how much longer?
Having spent its entire life basking in California sunshine, this McLaren F1 is now poised to become one of the most valuable examples ever sold. While RM Sotheby’s hasn’t disclosed a reserve price, expectations are sky-high given the car’s pedigree, provenance and pristine condition.
With the classic car world already watching Monterey Car Week (Ferrari F40 LM, anyone?) closely, this F1 might just break records - not with speed, but with its final bid.
