From Senna's NSX to the Ferrari F40: Inside RM Sotheby's London Auction

On 31 October, RM Sotheby’s returns with The London Auction, bringing together an eclectic collection of important cars spanning more than a century of motoring.

From a 1903 Clément to some of the most coveted supercars of the modern era, the early highlights show how broad this year’s sale is. Ferrari is particularly well represented, while an exceptionally significant Honda NSX provides one of the auction’s most compelling connections to Formula 1 history. Together, the consignments trace the development of the automobile from its pioneering days to the high-performance machines that define today’s collector market.

 

Ayrton Senna’s Honda NSX

Among the most intriguing cars announced for the sale is a 1991 Honda NSX personally allocated to Ayrton Senna, offered with an estimate of £500,000 to £800,000.

Senna’s connection with the NSX has become an important part of the model’s story. The three-time Formula 1 World Champion famously contributed feedback during the car’s development, helping Honda refine a machine that would challenge established ideas about what a supercar could be. With its mid-mounted V6, aluminium construction and everyday usability, the NSX showed that exotic performance did not have to come at the expense of reliability or comfort, a lesson that rival manufacturers would take to heart.

The London example has an even more direct link with the driver, having been personally allocated to Senna. Period imagery of him washing the car adds another dimension to its history, offering a rare and personal glimpse of one of motorsport’s most revered figures away from the circuit. That makes it a fascinating proposition for collectors of both significant road cars and motorsport memorabilia.

 

A Ferrari F40 Leads the Field

At the top of the current estimates is a 1988 Ferrari F40, expected to achieve between £1.8 million and £2.4 million.

Created to mark Ferrari’s 40th anniversary and the last new model launched under Enzo Ferrari, the F40 remains among the marque’s most recognisable creations. Its twin-turbocharged V8, lightweight composite construction and absence of driver aids gave it an uncompromising character that has never been diluted by time. Dramatic proportions and extraordinary performance have secured its position as a cornerstone of serious modern Ferrari collections.

It is joined by several other cars from Maranello, including a 1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso by Scaglietti, estimated at £750,000 to £950,000. Widely regarded as one of the most elegant Ferraris ever built, the Lusso combined grand touring refinement with the brand’s racing pedigree. A 2002 Ferrari 550 Maranello, estimated at £230,000 to £280,000, represents Ferrari’s celebrated return to a front-engined V12 layout for its flagship berlinetta.

Two examples from a more recent generation also feature. A 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta carries an estimate of £1.2 million to £1.5 million, while a 458 Speciale from the same year is estimated at £500,000 to £700,000. Both are being offered without reserve. As some of the last naturally aspirated mid-engined V8 Ferraris, the Speciale models have become increasingly sought after by enthusiasts who value their sharp responses and high-revving engines.

 

Porsche’s Rare 911 Carrera RS 3.8

Another major highlight is a 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8, estimated at £800,000 to £1 million.

The model sits among the most desirable versions of the 964-generation 911, pairing the familiar silhouette of Porsche’s enduring sports car with a far more focused approach to performance. Built in very small numbers and closely related to Porsche’s racing cars of the period, it is a car that rarely comes to market. Its presence alongside the F40, 458 Speciale and NSX makes the auction particularly strong for collectors interested in the evolution of the modern performance car.

 

Pre-War and Post-War Classics

Yet the catalogue reaches considerably further back.

A 1931 Invicta 4½-Litre S-Type ‘Low Chassis’ Sports by Vanden Plas, estimated at £450,000 to £650,000, represents the best of British pre-war motoring. The low-slung S-Type earned a strong reputation in competition and remains one of the most admired British sports cars of its era.

A 1903 Clément AC4R 12/16 HP Rear-Entrance Tonneau, estimated at £350,000 to £450,000, takes the story back to the very earliest years of the automobile, when manufacturers were still defining what a motor car should be.

A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL, offered without reserve with an estimate of £80,000 to £120,000, adds a stylish post-war European classic to the line-up. Its elegant open-top design has kept it a firm favourite with collectors seeking a usable and attractive sports car.

 

A Piece of Formula 1 History

The sale also extends beyond the cars themselves. A 2026 Lando Norris McLaren Formula 1 signed Bell helmet is offered without reserve with an estimate of £50,000 to £80,000.

Proceeds from the helmet will be donated to Race Against Dementia, the charity founded by three-time Formula 1 World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart. The lot links one of today’s leading drivers with one of the sport’s great champions, while supporting an important cause.

With cars ranging from the dawn of motoring to modern supercars, alongside objects connected to some of motorsport’s most recognisable names, The London Auction offers a broad survey of automotive history and collecting.

 

RM Sotheby’s The London Auction will take place on 31 October 2026.