A rare McLaren Elva, one of only 149 ever built, has sold for $813,000 at a Copart salvage auction in Van Nuys, California, a steep discount compared to its current market value of more than $2 million.
The limited-production roadster was listed with light crash damage and ultimately found a new owner after bidding closed. Originally introduced in 2019 as the fourth model in McLaren Automotive’s Ultimate Series, the Elva was derived from the 720S platform and powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing 804 horsepower. It featured a bespoke carbon fiber body and was designed as an open-air speedster, initially offered without a windshield or roof.
The Elva’s styling and name pay tribute to McLaren’s M1 race cars of the 1960s, which were produced in partnership with British firm Elva. The model emerged during a brief resurgence of ultra-exclusive, roofless speedsters that included the Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2 and the Aston Martin V12 Speedster. When new, the Elva started at just under $1.7 million.
The example sold at auction appears to have sustained front-end damage in a crash. While the exact circumstances of the incident remain unclear, the vehicle was listed as running and driving, having been tested at speeds exceeding 30 mph.
Visible damage includes impact to the nose section, which is formed from a single-piece carbon fiber clamshell. Repairing or replacing such components can be especially costly due to the specialized materials involved. The crash also appears to have affected the car’s Active Air Management System, a deployable aerodynamic feature designed to channel airflow over the cockpit at higher speeds. Copart’s listing further noted radiator damage and inoperable brakes.
Despite the repair challenges ahead, the sale represents a significant price break for one of McLaren’s most exclusive modern supercars.
Shawn Henry