For sale: Ayrton Senna’s classic Honda NSX

An original Honda NSX first owned by Ayrton Senna is currently advertised for sale on Auto Trader.

This red 1991 coupe is arguably the most recognisable NSX used by Senna, and the late F1 driver was frequently photographed with the car.

Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Senna’s tragic death at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, the sale of the NSX is your opportunity to own a piece of true motorsport history.

A winning partnership

Starting with Lotus in 1987, and continuing until the end of the 1993 season with McLaren, Senna drove Formula One cars powered by Honda engines. 

All three of Senna’s F1 World Drivers’ Championships were achieved with Honda power, along with 32 race wins and 46 pole positions.

This success gave the Brazilian driver a close association with the Japanese brand, which led to him undertaking development work on the NSX. 

Senna drove several final prototype versions of the V6-engined supercar, providing feedback to improve its suspension and chassis rigidity. This resulted in a number of detail changes, helping to hone the renowned driving machine.

The world’s most famous NSX?

Although he owned two other examples of the NSX, this 1991 coupe is the car most closely associated with Senna. 

It was given to him by Honda Portugal for use when in Europe. His two other black NSXs were kept at home in Brazil.

Finished in Formula Red, the NSX up for sale was also made famous by featuring in the 1992 movie, Racing Is In My Blood.

In 2019, the NSX was driven around the Imola circuit by Giancarlo Minardi, commemorating the 25th anniversary of Senna’s death.

‘A real pleasure to own’

The NSX’s current owner, Robert McFagan, purchased the car in 2013 during a trip to the Algarve in Portugal.

McFagan commented that the car has since “sat proudly at my estate in East Sussex”.

He added: “Being a huge Senna fan myself, I was delighted when I was able to get my hands on the NSX. It’s been a real pleasure owning what is one of the most famous cars belonging to a true sporting legend and the thrill of driving Senna’s car never goes away”.

Registered in the UK, the left-hand-drive NSX has amassed just over 39,100 miles from new.

Formula One history for sale

Inevitably, a car owned and driven by one of the greatest drivers in Formula One history does not come cheap. The NSX is advertised on Auto Trader for £500,000.

For comparison, a Honda NSX Zanardi Edition, owned by Canadian superbike rider Miguel Duhamel, sold for £214,000 in 2020.

Following the listing of the Honda NSX, Erin Baker, editorial director at Auto Trader, commented: “Senna’s impact on Formula One and the world of motorsport was immeasurable and Senna’s iconic Honda NSX is a chance to own a rare piece of sporting history that will no doubt turn heads and spark conversations amongst friends, family and neighbours”.

All images (c) @senna_unofficial

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