Exclusive: new pics of Murray’s S1 LM, the road-legal, V12 tribute to the F1 GTR

This is the S1 LM. It is a road-legal, V12-engined tribute to the McLaren F1 GTR, built by a chap named Gordon Murray for one very special customer. Its appearance marks 30 years since said F1 GTR won the Le Mans 24hr race, so yes, it’s a Big Deal.

And it has now reappeared for your delectation in these lovely new pics exclusive to TopGear.com, courtesy of photographer Alex Penfold, making this a Really Big Deal.

You’ll know of course that this S1 LM has been spun off Murray’s superlative T.50 and T.50s supercars: the panels are made from the same lighter material used on the T.50s, for example, but the three-seater layout and six-speed manual come straight out of the T.50.

The V12’s been embiggened for its duties in the S1 LM. Murray sent it back to Cosworth’s School of Excellence, where it gained bulk and strength. So capacity’s up from 4.0-litres to 4.3, there are lighter internals, and ‘over 700bhp’. Still revs like a loon right up to and over 12,000rpm.

Sadly, you can’t hear that in these lovely new pics, but you can see that delightful F1 GTR-inspired body in detail.

Photography: Alex Penfold