Published: 23 October 2026
RM Sotheby’s will stage The London Auction on 31 October 2026, a sale that spans well over a century of motoring. Early consignments range from a veteran car built in 1903 to some of the most admired supercars ever made. Ferrari is strongly represented, and a Honda NSX with a direct Formula 1 connection stands out as one of the most distinctive offerings. Taken together, the cars chart the automobile’s progress from its earliest experiments to the performance machines that now anchor the collector market.
The NSX Ayrton Senna Was Given
Few lots in the sale carry a story as personal as the 1991 Honda NSX allocated to Ayrton Senna himself, estimated at £500,000 to £800,000.
Senna’s relationship with the NSX is central to the car’s reputation. The three-time Formula 1 World Champion offered feedback while Honda was developing the model, and his input helped shape a car that rewrote expectations of the supercar. A mid-mounted V6, an aluminium body and genuine everyday usability proved that exotic performance need not mean compromised reliability or comfort. Rivals took note.
This particular NSX goes further than most, having been delivered to Senna as his own. Period photographs show him washing it, a rare and intimate view of a legendary driver away from the track. For collectors of important road cars and motorsport history alike, it is a compelling prospect.
The Ferrari F40 Sets the Pace
The highest estimate so far belongs to a 1988 Ferrari F40, guided at £1.8 million to £2.4 million.
Built to celebrate Ferrari’s 40th anniversary, and the final new model introduced during Enzo Ferrari’s lifetime, the F40 still defines the marque for many enthusiasts. Its twin-turbocharged V8, lightweight composite structure and complete absence of driver aids give it an uncompromising character that time has not softened. Striking looks and formidable pace have made it a cornerstone of any serious modern Ferrari collection.
Other cars from Maranello join it. A 1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso by Scaglietti, estimated at £750,000 to £950,000, is regarded as one of the most graceful Ferraris ever produced, blending grand touring comfort with racing heritage. A 2002 Ferrari 550 Maranello, estimated at £230,000 to £280,000, marks the company’s return to a front-mounted V12 in its flagship berlinetta.
Two cars from a newer era complete the Ferrari line-up. A 2015 458 Speciale Aperta is estimated at £1.2 million to £1.5 million, and a 2015 458 Speciale at £500,000 to £700,000. Both will be sold without reserve. Among the last naturally aspirated, mid-engined V8 Ferraris, the Speciale cars appeal increasingly to drivers who prize sharp throttle response and an engine that loves to rev.
A Rare Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8
The 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8 is estimated at £800,000 to £1 million and ranks among the most coveted 964-generation cars.
It retains the 911’s familiar profile but pursues performance with far greater intensity. Produced in very small numbers and closely linked to Porsche’s contemporary race cars, it seldom appears at auction. Alongside the F40, the 458 Speciale and the NSX, it strengthens a sale with real appeal for anyone interested in how the modern performance car developed.
From Veteran to Post-War
The catalogue also reaches deep into motoring’s past.
A 1931 Invicta 4½-Litre S-Type ‘Low Chassis’ Sports by Vanden Plas, estimated at £450,000 to £650,000, captures British pre-war engineering at its best. Its low stance and competition record have kept it among the most respected sports cars of its day.
Earlier still, a 1903 Clément AC4R 12/16 HP Rear-Entrance Tonneau, estimated at £350,000 to £450,000, dates from the years when the very idea of the motor car was still being settled.
A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL, offered without reserve at £80,000 to £120,000, brings post-war European style to the sale. Its graceful open-top lines continue to make it a favourite among collectors who want a car they can enjoy on the road.
A Helmet With a Cause
Not every lot has wheels. A 2026 Lando Norris McLaren Formula 1 Bell helmet, signed by the driver, is offered without reserve at £50,000 to £80,000.
Proceeds will go to Race Against Dementia, the charity established by three-time Formula 1 World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart. The lot unites a leading driver of today with one of the sport’s great champions, in support of a worthwhile cause.
From the dawn of motoring to the modern supercar, and with memorabilia tied to some of motorsport’s best-known figures, The London Auction offers a wide-ranging view of automotive history and collecting. It takes place on 31 October 2026.
