A customized Porsche Boxster was put up for sale on eBay UK recently, which gave buyers the chance to possess a McLaren F1 LM, albeit, as a replica. The vehicle, located in the Czech Republic, was modified to look like a racing version of the renowned McLaren F1 supercar from the 1990s.
Replicating high-end supercars with less expensive sports vehicles is a common practice with some even transforming regular cars to cartoon characters. This McLaren F1 LM replica is built on a Porsche chassis, with a fiberglass body that convincingly matches the look of the McLaren F1 LM.
The cabin has also been redesigned to mirror the McLaren F1's center seating position, with passenger seats on each side of the driver. The car even has a hydraulic front suspension system, which allows the front bumper to be lifted to pass speed humps and curbs, something usually reserved for supercars.
This replica's engine is a standard 3.2-liter flat-six from a Porsche Boxster S, rather than the original McLaren F1's 6.1-liter V12. While the Porsche engine is well-regarded, it lacks the performance and distinct sound of the McLaren F1, which set a production car speed record of 240.1 mph.
The seller does offer the option to modify the replica by adding a BMW V12 engine and a manual transmission for an unknown additional fee. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a modified five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.
The car was listed for £150,000 as a "buy now" option (roughly $185,000), which is more than double the price of a similarly specced Porsche Boxter S. According to the seller, the car will arrive with "drawing documentation" in addition to its original Porsche documents. The listing has ended but we're not sure if the car found a new home.
While the cost of a replica may appear high, it pales in contrast to the worth of a genuine McLaren F1, let alone an LM model. A genuine McLaren F1 sold at an auction in 2021 for $20.465 million. The McLaren F1 LM on which this replica was based is even more limited, with only 6 units ever built, making it one of the rarest cars in the world.