Though it first debuted over 30 years ago, the McLaren F1 remains one of the most sought-after, valuable, and legendary automobiles in history. Thanks to their extremely innovative and exotic nature, and their immense rarity, all McLaren F1 examples command massive price tags. Lower-mile specimens even more so — as evidenced by “Chassis 029” — an ultra-low-mile 1995 F1 example with a chassis number (SA9AB5AC9S1048029) ending in those three digits that’s scheduled to soon take its turn crossing the auction block.
What Makes The F1 So Special?
With a top speed of around 220mph, the McLaren F1’s performance is objectively impressive, even by today’s standards. So you can probably imagine just how incredibly groundbreaking it was when it debuted in 1992. Boasting a a 3.2-second 0-60mph time — making it quicker than McLaren’s MP4/8 Formula One racer of the era — the F1 was way ahead of its time, with extreme performance capabilities and a slew of noteworthy features including an on-board diagnostic computer, an advanced aero setup, a centrally-mounted driver’s seat, a drag coefficient of just 0.32, an engine heat shield made from genuine gold foil, and a wildly-advanced braking system plucked straight from Formula 1 cars of the day. Penned by auto design legend Gordon Murray, the McLaren F1 was also the first “production” car to be constructed around a carbon fiber chassis — a composite frame that required over 3,000 hours of labor to make each unit. And, despite being race-derived through and through, McLaren’s envelop-pushing F1 was completely road legal.
Heart Of A Legend
At the heart of the McLaren F1 was a mid-mounted BMW Motorsports-developed S70/2 engine. The motor consisted of a naturally-aspirated, quad cam, 48-valve, 6.1-liter V12 that benefitted from the use of the Bavarian brand’s variable value timing. Thanks to some extensive tuning, the S70/2 V12 was able to generate a very impressive 620hp and 479ft-lbs of torque — respectable figures by today’s standards but truly staggering numbers 30-years-ago. When combined with its advanced aero kit, 0.32 drag coefficient, and 2,579-pound curb weight, the engine allowed the McLaren F1 to reach 200mph from a complete standstill in just 28 seconds — and reach its ultimate top speed of just over 220mph.
What Makes “Chassis 029” So Special?
There are numerous factors that make the Chassis 029 McLaren F1 so incredibly noteworthy — any one of which would be impressive by themselves. For starters, the car is one of only 106 F1 units ever made. Of those vehicles, it happens to be one of the 64 road-going F1 specimens that were built. Further distinguishing it from other F1 examples is the fact that Chassis 029 happens to be the only F1 that’s finished with a Creighton Brown exterior over a Light Tan and Brazilian Brown interior. It doesn’t end there, however, as Chassis 029’s biggest claim to fame is unequivocally its super low milage. Since leaving the factory in ’95, only 410 kilometers (254.7 miles) have been put on the odo. This unquestionably makes Chassis 029 one of the lowest mileage F1 examples currently known to exist. And, while we can understand not wanting to lower its value by putting a ton of miles on the thing, it’s heartbreaking to know that this ultra-high-performance, purpose-built road-legal track weapon has gotten so little use over its three decades on the planet.
Provenance & Ownership History
After first leaving the factory in the UK, Chassis 029 was purchased new by a buyer in Japan in 1995. It would remain under the tutelage of its original owner for 17 years before being acquired by Art Sports in 2012. The following year it would trade hands once again, this time ending up in a private collection in Pennsylvania. For the next eight years, that’s where the F1 remained, until 2021, when it was sold once again. This time, the car wound up in a private collection in North Carolina. While owned by the North Carolina collector, this very example was exhibited at last year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it was awarded third in its class. After possessing the vehicle for three years, that owner has now opted to part ways with their Chassis 029 and find a new home for the nine-figure, four-owner supercar.
Included Extras
Alongside the vehicle itself, the sale also includes a custom F1-branded fitted luggage set that’s trimmed in the same Light Tan and Brazilian Brown leather used in the cabin. What’s more, the car also comes with a FACOM tool chest and a tool roll. Completing the package is a Swiss-made automatic TAG Heuer 6000 Chronometer McLaren F1 V12 watch from 1995 that’s currently valued at over $10,000.
Brand: McLaren
Model: F1
Year: 1995
Mileage: 254.7 Miles
Engine: 6.1L V12
Power: 620HP & 479FT-LBs
0-60MPH Time: 3.2 Seconds
Top Speed: 221MPH
Expected Valuation: $20,000,000+
Auction Info & Valuation
The 1995 McLaren F1 “029” example is slated to go under the hammer at the upcoming Sotheby’s Sealed auction in New York City starting on May 13. And, while the auction house has yet to reveal a valuation for the ‘90s era supercar, the amounts that it’s sold for previously in recent years would point to it fetching at least $20,000,000, if not several million more. Because it’s being sold through Sotheby’s Sealed, the final sale price won’t be revealed to the public.
Recap
1995 McLaren F1 029
With less than 260 original factory miles on the clock, the McLaren F1 Chassis 029 is one of the lowest-mileage F1 examples in existence. Also the only example finished in Creighton Brown over Light Tan and Brazilian Brown, this ultra-rare ultra-low-mile specimen is expected to fetch over $20,000.
