Gordon Murray’s GMSV Debut: S1 LM Tribute to the McLaren F1 and the Longtail Le Mans GTR

Gordon Murray Special Vehicles announces two radical supercars at Monterey

At Monterey Car Week, Gordon Murray has once again seized the spotlight with the launch of two exclusive supercars from his new division, Gordon Murray Special Vehicles (GMSV). Rather than modest evolutions of the T50 family, Murray introduced two distinct machines that reinterpret racing heritage with contemporary engineering: the S1 LM and the Le Mans GTR. Both cars signal a fresh strategic direction for Murray’s growing automotive group and reaffirm his commitment to lightweight structure, aerodynamic purity, and driver-focused performance.

S1 LM: a modern salute to the McLaren F1

The S1 LM is a deliberate homage to the McLaren F1 — the design that first made Murray a legend — and specifically to that car’s 1995 Le Mans victory. The S1 LM blends signature F1 cues with technical DNA drawn from the T50 and T50S, while introducing new forms and updated mechanical components. The result is instantly recognizable yet wholly contemporary: proportions and light treatments echo the F1, but the S1 LM carries its own visual identity through reworked ducts, distinctive shoulder scoops, and revised surface detailing.

Design and cockpit

GMSV describes the cabin as a three-abreast layout built around what it calls “skeletal architecture,” prioritizing structural lightness and driver immersion. The three-seat configuration remains a Murray hallmark, emphasizing central-driver ergonomics and an intimate connection to the controls. Exterior design language nods to the F1 with oval slats above the front wheel arches and purposeful side ducting, but contemporary lighting and refined surfacing give the S1 LM a modern face.

Powertrain and performance

Under the rear decklid, the S1 LM hides an updated V12 displacing 4.3 liters and producing in excess of 700 horsepower (521 kW). The gearbox is an amalgam of T50 and T50S components, tuned to suit the new power delivery. Murray and his engineers also revisited the suspension: compared with the T50 it is lighter and stiffer, sharpening handling and responsiveness while maintaining the composure expected of a high-spec supercar.

Exclusivity

Production is extremely limited: GMSV will build just five S1 LM examples, and all have already been reserved by a single collector. That level of scarcity places the S1 LM firmly in the rarefied world of boutique, collector-grade supercars.

Le Mans GTR: reimagining the longtail for today’s tracks

The Le Mans GTR channels the spirit of the F1 GTR Longtail while borrowing design inspiration from historic endurance racers such as the Porsche 917, Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/3, and Matra-Simca MS660. Where the S1 LM updates the F1’s aesthetic, the Le Mans GTR adapts the longtail concept for modern aerodynamics and track performance.

Aero, cooling and chassis

In contrast to the fan-assisted cooling of the T50, the Le Mans GTR removes the fan and relies on elongated bodywork and refined aero surfaces to cut drag and increase downforce. Large vents, substantial side pods, and enhanced cooling channels manage track temperatures under sustained load. Chassis and drivetrain mounting have been reinforced to improve responsiveness and feedback without amplifying noise or vibration — a balancing act between race-derived function and road-usable refinement.

Powertrain and customization

The Le Mans GTR retains the same V12 engine architecture used in the T50 family, while most other systems are reworked to suit the longtail application. GMSV will build 24 examples, each offering a high degree of bespoke customization, especially within the three-seat cockpit which can be tailored to buyer preferences.

Technical summary and comparisons

Key technical highlights across both models include lightweight construction, V12 power, and driver-focused layouts. The S1 LM is positioned as a direct contemporary tribute to the McLaren F1 with a unique 4.3L V12 tuned beyond 700 hp, extreme rarity, and a design that blends past and present. The Le Mans GTR channels classic longtail endurance racers with longer bodywork, a focus on aerodynamic efficiency, and greater volume for customer personalization.

How they compare with Murray’s earlier cars

Unlike the T50, T50S, and T33 — all of which set benchmarks for packaging ingenuity and aerodynamic thinking — the S1 LM and Le Mans GTR are more explicitly focused on narrative and heritage. The S1 LM is a direct stylistic tribute with updated mechanicals, while the Le Mans GTR is an aerodynamic exercise in longtail efficiency. Both, however, retain Murray’s engineering priorities: low mass, balanced proportions, and mechanical clarity.

Market positioning and buyer appeal

GMSV’s new models target collectors and dedicated enthusiasts who demand both provenance and performance. With production limited to single-digit and low-double-digit runs, these cars will settle firmly into the multi-million-dollar collector market. For buyers, GMSV promises near-limitless bespoke options — effectively turning customer imagination into coachbuilt reality. That approach positions GMSV as a boutique coachbuilder-cum-manufacturer, competing with ultra-exclusive series from established marques and independent specialists.

Conclusion: technique meets nostalgia

Gordon Murray’s S1 LM and Le Mans GTR demonstrate how a designer deeply rooted in racing history can reinterpret legendary forms for today’s standards of performance and engineering. Whether you prize the S1 LM’s direct McLaren F1 lineage or the Le Mans GTR’s longtail efficiency, both cars reinforce Murray’s mantra: timeless design driven by considered engineering. For collectors who value exclusivity, technical purity, and a strong link to motorsport heritage, GMSV’s debut offerings will be hard to ignore.