Pop-Art McLaren F1 GTR Set to Fetch Over $35 Million at 2026 Monterey Car Week

RM Sotheby’s has listed the 1996 McLaren F1 GTR—chassis 10R, famously painted in a neon-bright “Pop Art” livery—for the Monterey Car Week auction scheduled for August 15, 2026. The auction house estimates the car will sell for “in excess of $35 million,” a price that would place it among the most valuable examples of the legendary supercar.

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Designed by Formula 1 technical visionary Gordon Murray, the original McLaren F1 was the fastest production car of its era and secured victory at the 1995 24-Hours of Le Mans despite being a road-car platform. The GTR variant, built for customers who wanted a race-ready version, incorporated carbon-ceramic brakes, a fixed rear wing, and extensive weight-saving measures that helped McLaren win Le Mans in 1995. Only nine 1996-spec F1 GTRs were produced; chassis 10R was the first of its kind and served as McLaren’s test and promotional car before a brief, non-participating appearance at the 1996 Le Mans race.

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After its factory testing role, chassis 10R was sold to Pink Floyd drummer and collector Nick Mason. Mason’s ownership included regular maintenance by specialist firm Lanzante and a full restoration completed in 2009 following a crash by a journalist. Mason’s own accident in 2017 did not affect the car’s condition, according to the auction description, which emphasizes the vehicle’s meticulous upkeep and the rarity of its distinctive livery.

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The combination of the car’s limited production run, its celebrated racing pedigree, the eye-catching “Pop Art” paint scheme, and celebrity ownership contributes to its high valuation. While the McLaren F1 series already commands five-figure prices across most specifications, the unique attributes of chassis 10R are projected to push its auction result well beyond the $35 million threshold set by RM Sotheby’s.

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