Key Highlights
- A Honda NSX used by three-time Formula 1 champion Ayrton Senna sold for £871,250 at RM Sotheby’s in London.
- The Formula Red NSX was one of three cars Honda provided for Senna’s personal use during his McLaren-Honda years.
- The car features a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine producing 271bhp and has a top speed of 165mph.
Ayrton Senna’s Honda NSX Sets Auction Record
A Honda NSX associated with three-time Formula 1 world champion Ayrton Senna has set an auction record for the model after selling for £871,250 at RM Sotheby’s in London on 31 October. The car had been expected to fetch between £500,000 and £800,000 before the sale.
The NSX was offered alongside several other significant collector cars, including a 2002 Ferrari 550 Maranello, a 1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso by Scaglietti and a 1903 Clement AC4R 12/16 HP Rear-Entrance Tonneau.
The Honda NSX Provided for Senna’s Personal Use
Honda gave Senna access to three NSXs for personal use under an agreement made during his time with the McLaren-Honda Formula 1 team. Two of the cars were black, while the third, chassis T000233, was finished in Formula Red with a black roof and black leather interior.
Registered in Portugal as SX-25-59 in 1991, the car remained in Lisbon and was made available to Senna during his visits to the country. Senna had purchased a property at Quinta do Lago, where the NSX was kept for his use.
From Portugal to the UK and Japan
Following Senna’s death at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, the NSX was sold to Robert McKagan and moved to the UK. McKagan later sold the car in 2024, after which its new owners returned it to Japan. It was subsequently brought back to the UK for the RM Sotheby’s auction.
The car is powered by a six-cylinder, 3.0-litre engine producing 271bhp. It can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in 5.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 165mph.
Senna’s Connection With the NSX
Senna played a role in the development and testing of the Honda NSX and famously drove the sports car at Suzuka Circuit, the venue for the Japanese Grand Prix. His connection with the model has helped make the car particularly significant to collectors of Formula 1 and automotive history.
Sholto Gilbertson, RM Sotheby’s UK director of sales, said: “Senna’s legacy runs far deeper than his three world championships. His style and elegance are everlasting, and when you think of Senna—nonchalantly dressed in jeans, white socks and brown loafers behind the wheel of a road car—you think of an NSX. This is a wonderful opportunity to own a genuine piece of sporting and cultural history.”
Why This Matters
The auction result highlights the additional value created when a production sports car has a documented connection to a major Formula 1 figure. This NSX combines Honda’s racing-era relationship with Ayrton Senna, its identifiable chassis and registration history, and the driver’s direct involvement with the model’s testing and development. Its £871,250 sale establishes a new auction benchmark for the Honda NSX.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Ayrton Senna’s Honda NSX sell for?
The NSX sold for £871,250 at RM Sotheby’s in London on 31 October.
What made this Honda NSX significant?
Honda provided the car for Senna’s personal use during his time with the McLaren-Honda Formula 1 team. Senna also helped test the NSX and drove it at Suzuka Circuit.
What are the car’s performance specifications?
The NSX has a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine producing 271bhp. It can reach 60mph from a standstill in 5.8 seconds and has a top speed of 165mph.
