Gordon Murray, the legendary designer behind the McLaren F1, has once again delved into his illustrious past to create something truly special. During the prestigious Monterey Car Week, the maestro pulled the covers off not just two new supercars, but an entirely new division: Gordon Murray Special Vehicles (GMSV). Think of it as Murray’s personal skunkworks, a place where the most passionate (and presumably wealthy) enthusiasts can commission automotive dreams into reality.
While Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) will continue to build its “regular” production supercars like the T.50 and T.33, GMSV is set up to handle one-off commissions, limited-edition series, and heritage-inspired models. It’s a direct response to sustained demand from collectors and visionaries seeking cars that go beyond even GMA’s exclusive offerings.
Phil Lee, Gordon Murray Group CEO, explains, “GMSV allows us to explore these core trends, fuelled by the enthusiasm and imagination of our customers… We look forward to partnering with the world’s most passionate driving enthusiasts to create more automotive works of art”.
To kick things off, GMSV has revealed its first two creations, both deeply rooted in Murray’s love for endurance racing and his iconic 1995 Le Mans victory.
GMSV S1 LM: A Bespoke Love Letter to Le Mans ’95
The GMSV S1 LM is the ultimate tribute car. As the first-ever commission for the new division, its name ‘S1’ fittingly stands for ‘Special One’. Born from a specific client’s passion for Murray’s 1990s designs, it’s a road-going homage celebrating the 30th anniversary of the F1 GTR’s landmark win at Le Mans.
Professor Gordon Murray himself is clear on the design philosophy: “I love timeless design. I never want us to join the race to make the most outrageous looking supercar at expense of balance, beauty and proportion. Look at the result, the car is timeless and beautiful”.
Every single body panel is new, sculpted from ultra-lightweight carbon fibre, with a lowered roofline and a bespoke aero package featuring a prominent front splitter, rear diffuser, and a dual-element rear wing. At its heart, the S1 LM houses a masterpiece. By removing the T.50’s signature rear fan, GMSV made room for a unique 4.3-litre V12 screaming to an astonishing 12,100 rpm and producing over 700 PS. The engine is paired with a bespoke Inconel exhaust system, with heat shielding wrapped in 18-karat gold foil—a direct and glorious nod to its McLaren F1 ancestor.
The experience is built around a central driving position in a minimalist, “fighter jet-style” cockpit. A manual gearbox promises short, “rifle-bolt” throws, while bespoke suspension and an innovative solid-mounted engine deliver what GMSV calls the “purest expression of transient handling”.
This is exclusivity at its peak. GMSV’s Bespoke division will build just five of these road-legal S1 LMs for the commissioning client, with deliveries starting in 2026.
GMSV Le Mans GTR: The Ultimate Longtail Reimagined
Where the S1 LM is a specific tribute, the Le Mans GTR is a broader celebration of an entire era of racing. This sleek longtail draws inspiration not just from Murray’s own racers, but also from icons like the Matra-Simca MS660, Porsche 917, and Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/3.
“Longtail racing cars perfectly combine aerodynamic benefit and aesthetic balance,” says Murray. “Our Le Mans GTR timelessly reimagines the longtail racers I’ve admired since I began designing cars, adding contemporary aerodynamics and our exquisitely engineered chassis, engine, and transmission”.
Built on a new GMSV platform, the Le Mans GTR uses the high-revving GMA V12 and six-speed manual but changes almost everything else. Aerodynamics are key here. The car generates massive ground effect and high-speed stability through enhanced Passive Boundary Layer Control, a deep front splitter, side skirts, a twin-channel rear diffuser, and a full-width rear wing—all without the T.50’s fan.
The focus is firmly on the track. The GTR gets stiffer, lighter suspension, a wider track, larger Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, and enhanced cooling via side-pod intakes. The orchestral V12 soundtrack is delivered through a double exhaust and amplified by a roof-mounted ram-air intake, ensuring the driver feels every one of the 12,100 revs.
A limited series of just 24 Le Mans GTRs will be built, one for every hour of the legendary race. In a testament to the brand’s appeal, all 24 are already sold, with deliveries also set for 2026.
