Silverstone Auctions recorded a sale rate below 40% – with even an ex-Senna F1 car failing to sell – at the 16 May event.
Far from being a peripheral car, Senna’s 1984 Toleman TG-184-2 (pictured here in its all encompassing glory) was the one he guided to a famous second place on the wet streets of Monaco – a skill the Brazilian would soon become synonymous with. Meanwhile, the other Senna car, a 1982 Ralt RT3 sold for £103,000, pre-fee, below its lower estimate of £110,000.
Big-name cars that failed to sell on the day included a Ford RS200, an ex-Le Mans 2010 Aston Martin Vantage GT2 and a 2011 McLaren MP4-12C. Another car, the John Dooley Alfasud Ti featured in C&SC, was also left on the shelf.
Top sale on the day went to the gorgeous Porsche RS; it came in right inside estimate at £204,600.
Other interesting lots included a 1976 Jensen Interceptor III (£47,850), a 1999 left-hand-drive Ferrari 456T (£36,520), a 1958 Jaguar XK150 (£35,200), a 1992 Lotus Carlton (£9,900) and a 2009 Fiat 500 Arbath race car (£15,950).
Meanwhile, in automobilia, Ronnie Peterson’s Team Lotus F1 helmet topped the sale at £8510, but Senna’s 1984 Brazilian GP steering wheel failed to sell.
