Vehicle Description
Chassis No. SBM15ACA7KW800284
Surpassed in Formula One World Championship titles and Grand Prix
wins only by Ferrari, a team effectively formed in 1950, as opposed
to 1966, McLaren remain a colossus of recent and contemporary
motorsport. Remarkably, their rich history includes a period of
dominance between 1984 and 1991 in which they secured no less than
13 of the 16 Formula One World titles awarded, including six
Drivers' and Constructors' Championship "Doubles" in eight
years.
Fundamental to McLaren's success during this period was the
charismatic Brazilian Ayrton Senna, whose committed style and
natural ability had drawn favorable comparisons with previous
greats such as Fangio, Moss, Clark and Stewart. His relationship
with McLaren Team Principal Ron Dennis was perhaps the most
symbiotic in the sport since that of Clark and Colin Chapman; the
man from S�o Paulo scoring some 35 Grands Prix victories and three
World Drivers' Championships during his five-year tenure at the
team.
In 2018, some 30 years after his arrival at Woking-and 24 since his
untimely death-Senna's remarkable achievements and seismic impact
at McLaren were commemorated by the launch of a new road car in his
memory. Joining its illustrious predecessors the F1 and P1 in
McLaren's exalted "Ultimate Series" collection, the new
car-designated simply Senna-was unlike previous or contemporary
McLaren GT cars, for its design brief was almost entirely
performance-focused.
Internally, the Senna was no less forward thinking in its makeup,
and was executed with the customary McLaren attention to detail.
Although minimalist, and featuring copious use of polished carbon
fiber, the cabin attracted plaudits for its race car-style seating
position and near-perfect ergonomic layout. However, there were
certain concessions to modernity and comfort, including a
comprehensive Bluetooth-enabled infotainment and navigation system,
dual-zone air conditioning, a rotating digital instrument panel and
an optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system. Dihedral doors,
exquisitely crafted carbon fiber seats, each weighing barely 18
pounds, and roof-mounted switches for the door release, windows and
starter button not only completed the sense of occasion, but also
reinforced the car's impeccable race-bred credentials.
A dry weight of just 2,641 pounds afforded the Senna a power to
weight ratio superior even to that of the P1. Consequently, its
performance was nothing short of spectacular, with benchmarks of
62, 124, and 186 mph being reached in 2.8, 6.8, and 17.5 seconds
respectively, prior to a top speed of some 211 mph being reached.
However, the bare performance statistics only tell part of the
Senna story, for the car also drew widespread praise for its
perfectly weighted steering, near-instant chassis response,
high-speed stability and spectacular braking.
Production of the Senna was capped at 500 units, ensuring that it
remains a car of tremendous exclusivity. The example which Broad
Arrow Auctions are proud to offer for sale here represents the
284th such chassis constructed, and was originally dispatched from
McLaren's factory in Woking, UK to McLaren Dallas in 2019.
Following close consultation with McLaren Special Operations (MSO),
the car was configured in the stunning color combination of Abyss
Black with Paris Blue accents; this being mirrored internally by a
Black Alcantara interior with contrasting Paris Blue stitching,
seat belts, and door struts. Indeed, such was the attention to
detail and quality of the work performed that these modifications
alone accounted for more than three-quarters of the total cost of
the car's $220,000 option package. In addition, the car benefitted
from the fitment of the optional Bowers & Wilkins seven speaker
audio system, Gorilla Glass door panels, and bespoke floor
mats.
In its technical competence, dramatic appearance, exquisite
manufacture, and superlative performance, the Senna is a GT car
quite unlike any other. Unencumbered by the weight or complexity of
any alternative power systems, and incorporating technology
perfected over many years of competition, it affords its fortunate
occupants arguably the purest driving experience outside that of a
race car; a fitting tribute to the great man who gave the car its
name.
Accompanied by its original factory documentation, handbooks and
car cover, this magnificent example is presented in "as new"
condition throughout and remarkably displays a recorded odometer
reading of just 552 miles. Given the car's formidable capabilities,
this will doubtless be a figure to which the car's fortunate new
owner will be looking to add with all due haste.
