Rare McLaren P1 Spider Conversion Expected to Command Up to $5 Million at Miami Auction

A highly exclusive McLaren P1 Spider, one of only five ever converted from the original coupe design, is set to headline an upcoming auction in Miami with an estimated value reaching as high as $5 million.

Originally introduced in 2013, the McLaren P1 was produced strictly as a closed-roof hypercar, with all 375 units featuring a hybrid powertrain delivering 903 horsepower. At the time, those seeking an open-top experience at similar performance levels had to turn to rival manufacturers. Nearly a decade later, British engineering firm Lanzante undertook the challenge of reimagining the P1 as a convertible, creating a limited run of just five Spider variants.

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The example heading to auction is the second of those five conversions and carries a notable history that predates its transformation. Known as “the Professor,” it began as chassis number 209 and was originally delivered in a distinctive metallic cobalt blue finish commissioned specifically for its first owner. The car’s bespoke design extended to its interior, which included custom carbon-fiber seating and personalized detailing.

After its initial ownership, the vehicle gained attention through multiple high-profile auction appearances. It achieved a record-setting sale in 2017, with proceeds directed toward an academic endowment. Years later, it changed hands again before its current owner commissioned Lanzante to carry out the extensive Spider conversion.

The transformation required significant engineering expertise, including the removal of the original carbon-fiber roof and the addition of newly designed structural elements to maintain rigidity. The modified car now features distinctive carbon-fiber buttresses and air intakes, preserving the performance capabilities of its twin-turbocharged V-8 engine. Following the conversion, the vehicle was refinished in a historic racing-inspired color scheme, paired with a fully redesigned interior suited for open-air driving.

With fewer than 3,000 miles recorded and minimal use since its conversion, the car enters the auction as a rare collector piece. Its combination of limited production, unique customization and documented history has positioned it as one of the most sought-after modern hypercars expected to cross the auction block.