Extremely-Uncommon McLaren F1 GTR Longtail #27R Heads to Public sale with BMW V12 Energy

We love the McLaren F1 right here at BMWBLOG, for a number of causes. For one, we’re fanatics, and the F1 is maybe the Holy Grail of the fanatic automobile world. However arguably extra importantly, the F1 is powered by a BMW-devised V12 energy plant dubbed the S70 V12 engine. This magical piece of equipment sings a refrain of 618 horsepower all the best way to 7,500 rpm. However at this time we’re taking a look at an offshoot of the F1 that will get talked about even lower than common; the longrtail. Particularly, F1 GTR chassis #27R.

Meet McLaren F1 Chassis #27R

We’ve written about particular chassis prior to now — notably #17R, the FINA automobileand chassis #11R— and at this time we’re centered on #27R. Like these, that is one in all 28 F1 GTR fashions; not like the others we’ve coated, it’s one in all simply ten longtail-bodied F1 GTRs. Strap in — that’s the primary of many crucial variations that distinguishes #27R. This F1 GTR received its first race at Silverstone in 1997, which additionally marked the primary victory for a longtail automobile. It continued to race within the FIA GT Championship, inserting prime six at Silverstone, Nürburgring, and Spa. It could be a powerful, one-of-a-kind automobile if we stopped right here, however there’s a lot extra to say about 27R.

The longtail went on to compete in 24 Hours of Le Mans, rounding out its 1997 racing profession. In 1999 it returned to the British GT Championship with AM Racing, now owned by James Munroe. James was a person with little competitors racing expertise, and fortunately recruited driver Chris Goodwin as a teammate. 27R was resprayed Papaya Orange and hit the circuit with middling outcomes. Remarkably, James Munroe was later discovered to be in reality a person named James Cox, who in reality occurred to be embezzling fairly some huge cash from writer McGraw-Hill. Cox, or Munroe, went to jail and 27R went to public sale. The brand new homeowners displayed it on the 2005 Goodwood Pageant of Pace.

Quick ahead 4 years, F1 specialists Lanzante Restricted transformed the automobile for road use underneath the possession of recent proprietor Jeff Leadley. Complete price of street legalization was £110,000. Regardless of now being “road-legal,” the F1 GTR retains its prized S70/3 BMW V12 engine. The S70/3 is the race model of the S70/2 present in McLaren F1 street vehicles. It revs to eight,000 and makes slightly bit extra energy (626 hp/494 lb-ft). Longtails additionally obtained a revised six-speed gearbox, going sequential somewhat than an H-pattern. The automobile was additionally featured within the the 2011 Goodwood Pageant of Pace; the present proprietor has been steward of 27R since 2018.

Obtained a Few Million? You’ll Want a Few Extra

If 27R sounds just like the McLaren F1 you’ve at all times wished, you’re in luck. The automobile is up for public sale with RM Sotheby’s, and bidding opens March 5 2026. So, you’ve obtained slightly bit over 30 days to get your affairs so as or promote a kidney or root via the sofa cushions and discover the $20 million or so the automobile is predicted to fetch at public sale. Notably, the final F1 RM bought — chassis #14, which sported a BMW of North America service historical past — went for a ridiculous $25,317,500. It trounced expectations (by round $4 million); we count on this one would possibly do the identical. Anyway, you may learn extra about 27R — and see extra photos of the automobile on the RM Sotheby’s public sale itemizing.