Unique McLaren F1 from the Sultan of Brunei’s Collection Prepares for Auction
A Historic Example with Royal Provenance
A highly interesting supercar will be presented at auction in December. This is not the first McLaren F1 to be sold this year, but the peculiarity of this 1994 example lies in the fact that it was once part of the famous car collection of the Sultan of Brunei. It is expected to sell for over $21 million, making it one of the most expensive McLaren F1s in the history of public auctions.
Technical Features and Modifications
McLaren produced only 64 road-going versions of the F1 model, and this example bears chassis number 014. The car was initially painted in Titanium Yellow with a black interior of leather and Alcantara. However, unlike other F1 cars from the Sultan’s collection, this one did not remain in it for long. It was sold to a buyer from the United Kingdom and later came into the ownership of former McLaren Cars director David Clark.
Then, an unnamed collector from New York owned the car for approximately three years before it moved to California. In 2006, the car changed owners again and was sent to McLaren headquarters for a major overhaul. During this process, it was repainted in its current shade of Ibis White and equipped with a rare aerodynamic package that includes a large fixed rear wing, a front bumper inspired by the F1 GTR, and front louvres like those on the F1 LM model.
Exclusivity and Current Condition
During the modernization, the car also received an updated exhaust system, OZ Racing five-spoke alloy wheels, and the interior was refitted to LM specifications. The total cost of the restoration exceeded $500,000. The car also bears the autograph of Lewis Hamilton, which he signed during the 2007 Formula 1 season. For most of the last decade, the car has been in the USA but is currently owned by an individual residing in Denmark.
This McLaren F1 is in excellent condition and has a mileage of 13,711 miles (22,065 km). It is being sold together with a Gordon Murray T.50 car, which is currently owned by the same owner.
Photo: Sam Chick/RM Sotheby’s
The sale of this car could set a new record for a McLaren F1 at a public auction, highlighting the continually growing interest in iconic supercars from the 1990s. The combination of royal provenance, rare modifications, and the Hamilton name makes this lot particularly attractive to serious collectors. The fact of being sold together with its modern successor, the T.50, adds an interesting symbolism to the story, demonstrating the evolution of Gordon Murray’s philosophy.