Gordon Murray Sketches Cars to Beat Cancer

Gordon Murray’s new S1 supercar stands out at Monterey Car Week, even among rivals from Koenigsegg and McLaren. The limited-run V-12 vehicle represents the debut of his new brand, Gordon Murray Special Vehicles, and for Murray, the project offered a critical lifeline during a difficult period. The S1 Spyder also sets a new speed record.

Designing Through Treatment

Murray revealed that he was battling esophageal cancer when he began planning the S1. The disease carries a low survival rate, but he caught it early through annual checkups. His treatment included robotic surgery and four months of chemotherapy.

During his sessions in the treatment chair, Murray did not bring a book. He took a sketch pad and a ballpoint pen instead. He sketched continuously throughout every session and continued the practice at home while administering his own medication.

The designer explained that focusing on the business logistics of his new venture provided necessary mental separation from the physical toll of the illness. “I just spent the whole time—four months—thinking of how I could set the company up and who would run it,” Murray said. He believes this focus made the experience more bearable. “I still do 11 hours [of work] a day, yeah, and just turned 80. If I was just some chap who’d retired and went through that… I’m not sure I could have got through, to be honest.”

Murray noted that the process was physically demanding, but having a concrete goal to work toward changed his perspective. The mental engagement required to build a new company allowed him to manage the emotional and physical challenges of the disease without becoming overwhelmed by the reality of his situation.

A New Robot for the Surgery

Despite the severity of the diagnosis, Murray’s recovery from robotic surgery was relatively quick. He spent only six days in intensive care, a stark contrast to his brother, who died from the same condition after a long hospitalization.

Satisfied with the medical outcome, Murray purchased a new robot for his surgeon. The device arrived the night before Murray spoke at the event. “It just arrived last night. Funnily enough, coincidentally, the surgeon sent me two pictures and said, ‘Thank you very very much. Just done the first operation with your robot…’,” Murray recounted.

The engineer has since developed a professional interest in the technology, frequently asking questions about the equipment. He described the machine as a “fascinating” piece of engineering, highlighting how his passion for technical details extended into his recovery process.