An auction house has put up for sale the 1996 McLaren F1 GTR with chassis 10R, owned by Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason. The car is valued at over $35 million. The bidding will take place as part of an auction in Monterey. RM Sotheby’s reports.
McLaren F1 GTR 10R became the prototype for the 1996 version
Chassis 10R is one of two F1 GTR Short-Tail prototypes, alongside the 1995 “24 Hours of Le Mans” winner, chassis 01R. It is the first of nine cars built to the 1996 specification.
The updated version received extended front and rear body sections, a larger splitter, and a modernized transmission with a magnesium casing. The changes helped reduce weight by 38 kg. According to the auction house, the 1996 modification was even faster than the 1997 F1 GTR Long-Tail.
The car was used during testing ahead of the 1996 “24 Hours of Le Mans.” During pre-qualifying, it was driven by McLaren factory pilot David Brabham. The car placed eighth in its class and 20th overall.
Nick Mason’s most expensive car received road registration
The McLaren remained in the manufacturer’s ownership until 1999, when it was purchased by Nick Mason. Before handing it over to the musician, the factory converted the racing car for public roads. It became one of approximately 16 road-going F1 GTRs.
Chassis 10R stands out with the only factory livery among F1 GTRs in red and yellow colors. Due to the design, influenced by 1990s pop art, the car earned the nickname The Pop Art F1.
The car was restored twice by Lanzante specialists after incidents in 2009 and 2017. It also participated in road tours and demonstration runs, and in 2022 appeared at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.