A rare 1996 McLaren F1 GTR is up for grabs at RM Sotheby’s 2026 Monterey auction, and it is expected to become the most expensive McLaren to be sold yet. The reason for this is that it is the only McLaren F1 GTR with factory livery in scarlet and yellow finish, influenced by 1900s pop-art design.
The said vehicle, known as chassis 10R, carries an estimated value in excess of USD 35 million (about P2.16 billion), according to RM Sotheby’s website. The McLaren chassis 10R rolled off its Woking facility in December 1995 as the first of only nine examples built to F1 GTR 1996 specification. It is also one of only two McLaren F1 GTR Short-Tail prototypes, along with the 1995 24 Hour Le Mans winner chassis 01R.
McLaren retained the car and would have been driven by a host of the manufacturer’s top drivers, including 1995 Le Mans winner JJ Lehto, during winter testing at Magny-Cours. McLaren also used the car for promotional purposes and was present at several rounds of the BPR Global GT Series, flaunting the “Blood Red” paint with contrasting yellow “96 GTR” graphics.
In April, the car completed 12 hours of testing for the 1996 24 Hours of Le Mans. Three weeks later, chassis 10R participated in the pre-qualifying of Circuit de la Sarthe in France. Wearing a plain red livery with graphite wheels, the car was run by reigning champions Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing and driven by factory driver David Brabham.
Then it was sold directly to its sole private owner, Nick Mason, the drummer of the rock band Pink Floyd. Under Mason’s ownership, McLaren converted the car for road use. Mason is also a car enthusiast long before finding fame with Pink Floyd. Off-stage, Mason has curated an impeccable collection of the world’s most significant automobiles, including a Ferrari 250 GTO, Maserati 250F, Bugatti Type 35, Jaguar D-Type, Porsche 962, among others.
With its credentials, such as being a factory prototype and previously owned by a drummer from a famous rock band, the 1996 McLaren F1 GTR is expected to go for an auction price in excess of P2.16 billion. As such, it is set to secure its place as the most expensive McLaren sold yet.
Autocar’s Take
The 1996 McLaren F1 GTR is up for auction at RM Sotheby’s, and it is expected to become the most expensive McLaren to be sold. Given its credentials, the vehicle is considered rare since it is the first of only nine examples built to F1 GTR 1996 specification. Known as chassis 10R, it is also one of only two McLaren F1 GTR Short-Tail prototypes, along with the 1995 24 Hour Le Mans winner chassis 01R.
Aside from that, it was also sold to its only private owner, Nick Mason, the drummer of the famous Pink Floyd band. As such, with its history and being owned by a popular music icon, the 1996 McLaren F1 GTR will be the most expensive McLaren to be sold yet.
