In the world of motorsport, few names command the same reverence as Mansour Ojjeh. A quiet titan, Ojjeh’s influence transformed McLaren from a respected racing team into a powerhouse of Formula 1 and a benchmark for automotive excellence. Now, the ultimate tribute to his legacy—the famed “Last of Legends” collection—is up for sale, offering collectors and enthusiasts a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of automotive history.
The collection, being sold through respected dealer Tom Hartley Jnr, comprises 20 McLaren models—each one handpicked, customized, and meticulously preserved under Ojjeh’s personal vision. This isn’t just a garage of hypercars. It is the embodiment of a man’s life’s work: decades of passion, perfectionism, and an unrelenting pursuit of the extraordinary.
A Visionary Behind McLaren’s Rise
Born in Paris in 1952 to Saudi entrepreneur Akram Ojjeh, Mansour was raised with a global outlook and a business acumen sharpened by studies in California. As CEO of Techniques d’Avant Garde (TAG), he invested in diverse industries—from aviation to luxury goods—but it was motorsport where he left his indelible mark.
Ojjeh’s Formula 1 journey began in 1979 as a sponsor of the Williams team, but his defining moment came in 1984, when TAG acquired a stake in McLaren. That move reshaped the sport’s landscape. TAG funded the development of the iconic TAG-Porsche turbo engines, powering McLaren to multiple world championships in the mid-1980s and laying the foundation for a golden era.
Under Ojjeh’s influence, McLaren captured seven Constructors’ and ten Drivers’ Championships, while expanding its brand into road cars and high-performance technology. His role in launching McLaren Automotive and McLaren Applied Technologies positioned the marque at the cutting edge of both competition and innovation.
From Collector to Creator
Ojjeh’s love affair with cars began long before McLaren. In his twenties, while living in North America, he amassed icons like the Lamborghini Countach and Rolls-Royce Corniche. Eventually, he assembled one of the world’s most enviable Ferrari collections, including the 250 California Spyder and 288 GTO. But his ultimate goal wasn’t just to collect greatness—it was to create it.
That dream crystalized in 1988, after a chance airport conversation with Ron Dennis and Gordon Murray. The trio committed to a singular mission: to build the greatest road car the world had ever seen. The result was the McLaren F1, a technological marvel still revered as perhaps the finest car ever produced.
Later, as McLaren Automotive took off, Ojjeh sold his Ferrari collection to focus solely on McLaren—shaping a new portfolio around the F1 and its spiritual successors. The result is the Last of Legends.
The Crown Jewel: McLaren F1 in Mansour Orange
At the heart of the collection is a truly singular specimen: the last McLaren F1 ever built, finished in a one-off shade originally dubbed Yquem, later renamed Mansour Orange in his honor. This particular car, chassis #108, has covered just 1,810 kilometers, yet its legacy includes being driven by none other than Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula 1 World Champion.
Every car in the collection was specified with the final production chassis number of its respective model—ensuring the most refined version of each vehicle. With the exception of the track-driven P1 GTR, none of the cars have seen the road. Maintained directly by McLaren under special instruction, this level of factory involvement is unprecedented for any private collection.
Beyond Rarity: A Collector’s Masterpiece
The collection spans McLaren’s finest achievements: from longtails and Le Mans specials to rarities like the Senna GTR, Speedtail, Sabre, and Elva—the latter delivered posthumously with Ojjeh’s unique emblem replacing the standard McLaren badge.
“This collection is more than metal and carbon fiber,” says Kathy Ojjeh, Mansour’s widow. “It’s a portrait of his spirit. Every car was crafted with the same care and vision that Mansour brought to McLaren. Saying goodbye is difficult, but it’s time for a new custodian to continue the story.”
Indeed, this sale represents more than an auction. It is the passing of a torch—from a man who lived and breathed performance, elegance, and engineering perfection, to someone who recognizes what this ensemble truly represents.
A Timeless Legacy
Mansour Ojjeh passed away in June 2021, leaving behind more than trophies and titles. He left a legacy that stretched far beyond pit lanes and podiums—a legacy defined by vision, generosity, and a relentless drive to push boundaries.
The Last of Legends collection is his final chapter. Not as a businessman, not even as a car enthusiast—but as an architect of dreams, realized in carbon fiber, orange paint, and roaring engines.
And now, the story is ready to be continued—by the next visionary bold enough to preserve it.
Source: Tom Hartley Jnr.
Gallery:
