Previously owned by three-time F1 World Champion Ayrton Senna, this 1991 Honda NSX has been sold for over R19 million at RM Sotheby’s The London Auction 2026.
Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna’s 1991 Honda NSX has gone under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s The London Auction 2026. Known colloquially as the ‘hosepipe’ car, Senna’s Formula Red NSX featured in the Ayrton Senna: Racing Is In My Blood documentary and was seen arriving at the 1991 Portuguese Grand Prix, the country where he took delivery of the vehicle. Distinctive with its black roof and black interior upholstery, Senna’s NSX also features bespoke touches like his helmet badge on the dashboard, making this example instantly recognisable to the right collector. Before his untimely passing at Imola, Senna further stamped his legacy into the vehicle as he became famous for helping in the development of the NSX – seen in the now-famous video of him doing laps around Suzuka in his loafers, executing heel-and-toe downshifts with relative ease.
Now, Senna’s NSX has been sold at RM Sotheby’s The London Auction 2026; fetching £871 250, or R19 213 920,20 at the current Rand-Pound exchange rate. Noteworthy here, this this example sold for nearly R3 million more than what was expected. Indeed, Senna’s NSX was expected to clear $1 million (R16 518 470) before going under the hammer. The auction took place on 31 October 2026.
Built in Japan, the original NSX is powered by a 3.0-litre naturally aspirated V6 producing 201 kW and 284 N.m of torque – the former and the latter available from 7 300 and 5 400 r/min, respectively. This powertrain is paired with a five-speed manual gearbox, which delivers drive exclusively to the rear wheels. The NSX also featured ventilated disc brakes on all four corners, with accompanying double wishbone front and rear suspension.
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