Ayrton Senna’s 1984 Toleman TG183B, his debut Formula 1 car, is up for auction through RM Sotheby’s with an estimated value of €2.8 million to €3.8 million. The car, in which Senna scored his first championship points, has been preserved with authentic features.
The 1984 Toleman TG183B chassis, designed by Rory Byrne, served as Ayrton Senna’s entry into Formula 1. Senna piloted it in four races that season, starting with his debut at the 1984 Brazilian Grand Prix. He achieved sixth-place finishes at the South African and Belgian Grands Prix, marking his initial points in the championship standings with this machine powered by a Hart 415T engine and a rebuilt gearbox. The car remains wonderfully preserved, retaining many original elements, according to the auction listing from RM Sotheby’s. In recent years, it featured in the 2022 documentary The Story of Toleman, driven by former F1 driver Martin Brundle. More recently, at Silverstone in 2024—to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Senna’s F1 debut and 30 years since his death—Alpine’s Pierre Gasly took it for a run. Gasly shared his reaction: “I can’t remember such an incredible experience. Driving Senna’s first-ever F1 car exceeded all my expectations. It was so emotional. I had never before been in a racing car older than me and the purity of the driving was incredible – just three pedals and a simple steering wheel... It was a once-in-a-lifetime episode that I will never forget. Very, very special.” Naomi Schiff, former W Series driver and Sky Sports F1 pundit, also drove the car during the same event. She posted on Instagram: “What a wonderful shoot with Sky Sports F1... Ayrton Senna's first F1 car and the first car with which he scored points in Formula One at the 1984 South African GP. This opportunity left both Pierre and I smiling from ear to ear for days!”
