Senna’s 1985 Mercedes-Benz Heads to Auction

1985 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16, previously owned by the legendary Ayrton Senna, is set to be auctioned at RM Sotheby’s, with an estimated value of $300,000–$340,000.

In 1984, to celebrate the reopening of the Nuburgring and the launch of the new 190 E 2.3-16 model, Mercedes organized a “Race of Champions”, gathering nine Formula 1 world champions and two rising stars Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. It is reported that Emerson Fittipaldi ceded his spot to Senna. All cars were slightly modified for racing, and Senna competed in a smoky silver 190 E, numbered 11.

During qualifying, Senna secured third place, behind Prost and Rütiman, but went on to claim a decisive victory in the race. In October 1985, impressed with the car, he purchased it and personally collected it from the Mercedes factory. Senna owned and drove the car for two years,with the last service record showing 24,862 miles before selling it upon relocating to Monaco. The vehicle’s next owner was Robin Clark, a friend of Senna’s manager, Julian Jakobi.