McLaren built five F1 LMs to celebrate the F1 GTR's 1995 Le Mans success. The LM adopts the GTR's 6.1L BMW V12 (without race restrictors), race aerodynamics, gearbox and lowered ride, and features Papaya Orange livery and a central driving position. Published performance and weight figures vary widely; commonly cited numbers include roughly 680 bhp, a dry weight just over 1,060 kg, 0-62 mph in about three seconds and a top speed near 225 mph .

Origin: a road car to honor a Le Mans victory

In 1995 the McLaren F1 GTR famously won the 24 Hours of Le Mans on its first attempt. To mark that achievement McLaren built a limited run of five road cars called the F1 LM - one for each GTR that finished the race. The brief was simple: make a road-legal car as close to the 1995 GTR as possible, with minimal modifications.

Racing hardware, road useability

The F1 LM uses the race-derived BMW-sourced 6.1-liter V12 that powered the GTRs, but without the race air restrictors, giving it substantially more power than the standard F1 road car. McLaren fitted race aerodynamics, the GTR gearbox and 18-inch wheels to the LM. The ride was lowered compared with the standard F1 to improve handling and track manners.

Tribute details and cockpit

As a tribute to Bruce McLaren, each LM was finished in Papaya Orange - the color associated with his early teams. Inside, the LM favors a stripped-but-finished approach: carbon-fiber structural elements and lighter trim, a central driving position with molded passenger seats, and an all-carbon race-style driver's seat that delivers a very Formula-style experience on the road.

Performance and technical notes

The LM's engine is the most potent version of the F1's V12, tuned from the GTR unit to suit road use while retaining race characteristics. Published figures commonly cite nearly 680 bhp and a torque figure in the 500 lb-ft range . The LM's dry weight is quoted just above 1,060 kg, making it lighter than the standard road F1 1. That combination of power and low mass gives very brisk acceleration; contemporary reports list 0-62 mph in roughly three seconds and a top speed around 225 mph, although the LM's large rear wing prioritizes downforce over outright top speed 2.

Rarity and value

Only five McLaren F1 LMs were made, and all were delivered to private owners. McLaren originally priced the cars in the mid-seven-figure range; the catalogue price is frequently given as about $1.307 million at time of sale 3. Today the LM's rarity and race-derived pedigree make it one of the most sought-after variants of the F1, with values that have risen sharply at auction and in private sales (specific auction results vary by car and provenance).

Why the LM matters

The F1 LM stands as a deliberate bridge between racing and road use: a minimal, driver-focused machine that preserves the spirit, components and colors of McLaren's 1995 Le Mans success while being usable on public roads. Its significance lies as much in its intent and scarcity as in its performance.
  1. Confirm the LM's exact peak power output (bhp/PS) and the official torque figure from McLaren or factory documents.
  2. Verify the LM's listed dry weight or curb weight from factory specification sheets.
  3. Confirm the precise 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) acceleration time and top speed figures for the LM from contemporary road tests or McLaren documentation.
  4. Verify the original sales price (commonly cited as $1,307,000) with period sales literature or McLaren press releases.

FAQs about McLaren F1 LM

How many McLaren F1 LMs were built?
Five road-going F1 LM cars were built, each created to commemorate the 1995 Le Mans finishes.
What makes the F1 LM different from the regular McLaren F1?
The LM used the race-derived 6.1L BMW V12 without air restrictors, race aerodynamics and gearbox, lowered suspension, and lighter interior trim. It also wore Papaya Orange livery as a tribute to Bruce McLaren.
Is the F1 LM street legal?
Yes - the LM was built to be road-legal while retaining many race-derived components and character.
Are performance figures for the LM definitive?
Published performance numbers vary. Commonly cited figures include nearly 680 bhp, a dry weight just above 1,060 kg, 0-62 mph in about three seconds and a top speed around 225 mph, but these specific values should be checked against primary sources and chassis-specific documentation .