VIN: the Sultan of Brunei McLaren F1 LM chassis LM4
History of chassis LM4
Chassis LM4 was one of six F1s built to LM specification. This figure comprised the prototype (chasiss XP LM) which was retained by McLaren and five customer cars (chassis LM1 to LM5).
Of the five examples delivered to private purchasers, three were sold to the Brunei Royal Family who at the time were the world’s single biggest buyers of exotic and luxury cars.
The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, was Brunei’s head of state, absolute monarch and head of government which meant he was in total control of the funds raised from the county’s enormous gas and oil fields. Between 1986 and 1997, the Sultan employed his brother, Prince Jefri, as Brunei’s finance minister and chairman of the country’s investment agency.
During this period, the two men spent nearly £200m per year on high end cars, many of which were special commissions from Europe’s top manufacturers.
Included among the near 7000 vehicles acquired were no less than ten from McLaren: five regular F1 road cars (chassis 002, 004, 005, 008 and 014), an F1 GTR (chassis 09R), an F1 GT (chassis 054) and the aforementioned trio of LM special editions (chassis LM1, LM4 and LM5).
Whereas LM5 was finished in Historic Orange (as per the three LMs that did not go to Brunei), chassis LM1 and LM4 were configured in identical black over pale grey colour schemes with blue, yellow and pale grey stripes. Inside, both cars featured dark grey alcantara upholstery with yellow as opposed to orange highlights for the steering wheel script and gear lever trim.
Upon delivery to Brunei, chassis LM4 was registered BP75 while the otherwise identical LM1 was registered KF90.
Both cars remain in the Brunei Royal collection to this day having covered nominal mileage since new.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed
