Man and Machine
Most manufacturers that have high-performance vehicles and race teams work together when developing special sports or supercars. This partnership means that the automaker has access to the racing team’s drivers to test and give feedback on the cars; on rare occasions, both the car and driver are classified as legends.
When Honda embarked on an ambitious project to make a supercar that could be a daily driver and also beat its European rivals, everyone took notice. Proving how serious they were about the NSX project, Honda called on the services of one of the most legendary race car drivers ever: Ayrton Senna.
Ken Saito/RM Sotheby’s
Senna’s 1991 NSX
If you’re a true petrolhead, you’ve probably seen the iconic video of Senna wearing high white socks paired with his brown loafers while properly thrashing a Honda NSX around Suzuka. Such was his influence in the development of the NSX that he naturally got one for himself. Now, his personal 1991 Honda NSX is up for sale at RM Sotheby’s, and should there be any doubts that it’s his, there are throwback photos of the man with the car that prove it was his.
Since he had an agreement with Honda as part of being their F1 driver, he was given access to a pair of black NSXs. There was also this car, chassis number T000233, which was configured in Formula Red paint and a contrasting black roof. This car was imported to Portugal and registered in March of 1991 and was stored in Lisbon, only driven when Senna was in town to race in Estoril. It was used more when Senna bought property in the Quinta do Lago resort and was his personal transport between there and the racetrack. It even featured in the documentary Ayrton Senna: Racing Is In My Blood.
Ken Saito/RM Sotheby’s
Life After Senna
When Senna was tragically killed in an accident during the Imola Grand Prix, the car was initially kept by its own dealership after Honda assured its Senna provenance. It then changed hands four more times in 2009, 2013, 2019, and 2024. The car itself appears to be preserved in immaculate condition, with a photo showing a total driving mileage of around 63,000 kms (39,000 miles). Its listing price on the website starts at $679,000 and goes up to over $1 million.
Ercole Colombo/Studio Colombo/Getty Images
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