You can buy Ayrton Senna’s first F1 car

Ayrton Senna made his F1 debut in 1984 at his home Grand Prix in Brazil. There was no fairytale. He lasted just eight laps, forced to retire with a dodgy turbo.

Senna was driving for the Toleman team in the unreliable TG184. Retiring from races that year was something he became quite used to, completing only six of the 16 races on the calendar.

Of course, Senna made the F1 world stop and take notice at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he put in a masterful performance to claim second place. It was also the first time we got a glimpse of Senna’s paranoia, believing the race, red-flagged due to poor weather, was stolen from him due to some French conspiracy or other. Anyway…

That ratty old Toleman TG184-2 is now up for sale and can be all yours if you have the desire and the cash. If the tyranny of distance is holding you back and you can’t be at the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit on 16 May you’ll need to make contact with Silverstone Auctions to arrange the bidding process.

Oh, going back to the 1984 Monaco GP for a moment. Another young driver made a name for himself that day too, albeit in a car that was later deemed illegal. That man was Stefan Bellof, still the fastest man around the Nürburgring and another brilliant driver lost too early on a famous racetrack.

After the break there’s the official press release for the sale of the Toleman and we’ve also found a delightfully deadpan review of the 1984 Monaco GP for you to enjoy, with Clive James at the microphone.

Unique Senna F1 car up for auction

A truly unique piece of motorsport history, a Toleman TG184-2 Formula One car driven by Ayrton Senna in his debut F1 season, is up for auction at The Spring Sale to be hosted by Silverstone Auctions on 16th May.

This particular car has become the stuff of legends and is perhaps best known for Senna’s remarkable second place drive in the rain-soaked 1984 Monaco GP, arguably the race which first demonstrated his extraordinary talents to the world.

Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions, said: “We are thrilled to bring this iconic race car to auction as it’s undoubtedly one of the most important lots we’ve ever offered under the hammer.

“Senna mania is reaching fever pitch and rightly so as he’s considered by many as the greatest F1 driver we’ve ever seen. It goes without saying that this will be one of the star attractions at the sale as it’s a very rare chance to own a much sought after piece of motorsport and Ayrton Senna history.”

Indeed, the Toleman, which Senna also raced to 3rd in the British and 7th in the Canadian Grand Prix’s, has been in private ownership for the past 16 years, so its sale at open market really is an opportunity not to be missed.

However, Silverstone Auctions is no stranger to success with Senna related lots. At its first auction of the year, a helmet and race suit used by the driver fetched £74,750 and £35,650, respectively, both considerably more than their pre-sale estimates.

And while the race car is undoubtedly one of the key lots at the forthcoming Spring Sale to be held at Silverstone, it will be joined by an impressive range of other race cars, modern sports cars, motorcycles and automobilia

“Excitement is building for the auction which promises to be a must attend sale for any serious collector or motorsport enthusiast. Apart from the Senna F1 car, another notable early entry is a stunning 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7, estimated at between £190,000 to £210,000. If these are examples of what’s to follow, then it promises to be quite an event,” added Nick.

Those interested in submitting an entry into The Spring Sale, or any of Silverstone Auctions forthcoming events, are invited to call the team on 01926 691 141 or email enquiries@silverstoneauctions.com

Notes

Formed in 2011 as a joint venture between Nick Whale and Silverstone Circuits – Silverstone Auctions is a world-class, specialist auction house for classic cars, modern supercars, all types of competition cars, modern and historic motorcycles and automotive memorabilia.

The company holds the exclusive automotive auction rights for Silverstone circuit.

Auctions take place in The Wing, the circuit’s new £27 million building, which has space to display up to 100 auction vehicles and includes seating accommodation for up to 400 attendees.