It’s not every day a piece of automotive history rolls through our bay doors, but that’s exactly what happened when we hosted the RM Sotheby’s team in our Fremont studio.
The subject? A 1995 McLaren F1—specifically, Chassis 062. Known as “The Silicon F1” for its original owner, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, this Magnesium Silver icon is one of only seven ever imported to North America. With pre-auction estimates suggesting a value near $23 million and a legacy as the fastest naturally aspirated production car in history, it’s safe to say we had to be on our A-game
The Setup
Before this car ever hit the auction block, it made a stop at our studio. When you’re working with a vehicle of this caliber, the production process changes.
The first priority was the load-in. We worked closely with the RM Sotheby’s team to guide the F1 through our roll-up door, utilizing our stage layout to ensure the car stayed 100% safe throughout the entire production. When a subject is essentially a piece of fine art, there is zero room for error.
The Lighting
Lighting a car as iconic (and reflective) as the F1 is a unique challenge. Working alongside the photographer brought in by RM Sotheby’s, our team helped rig a lighting setup designed to highlight the car’s legendary lines and carbon fiber details.
We focused on using large, soft, overhead diffusion to catch the curves of the bodywork and emphasize that unmistakable silhouette. Watching that Magnesium Silver finish hit the light in our studio before the rest of the world saw the listing was a real highlight for our team.
Making it Happen
At Mac House, we thrive on problem-solving. Whether it’s a music video in a blackout or a high-stakes shoot with a multi-million-dollar hypercar, our studio is built to be a sandbox for creators.
Seeing the final results of this project go live for the RM Sotheby’s auction was a great reminder of why we do what we do. It’s an honor to provide the space where history is captured.
Need a space for your next high-stakes project? Let’s talk.
