Senna’s Toleman Formula 1 cars are for sale
Image: Cars International
1984 saw the rise of a new star in Formula 1; one who some believe ascended higher than any other. That star was Ayrton Senna, March 25th 1984 was his debut race, and these two relatively humble (at the time) Toleman Formula 1 cars were his drives for the season.
Chassis #05 represents the last of Toleman’s TG 183Bs and was built specifically for Ayrton Senna, who debuted the car, and himself, at the Grand Premio do Brazil in Rio De Janeiro on this day, March 25, in 1984. He qualified 17th, and then became the first retirement of the 1984 season when he suffered a turbo failure less than ten laps into the race.
Senna at his debut in Brazil, 1984: The Cahier Archive
No matter – motorsport is a harsh mistress, Formula 1 most of all.
Senna and the Toleman returned a few weeks later for the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. There he qualified lucky 13th, and fought his way up to 6th to bring home his first Formula 1 World Championship point.
Image: Cars International
The pair followed that result up with an even more impressive run in the Belgian Grand Prix, qualifying down in 19th, working up to finish seventh and then being promoted to sixth when Tyrrell Racing were disqualified from the 1984 season and Stefan Bellof’s result was disqualified.
Their final outing together was in the 1984 San Marino Grand Prix, when they created another Senna milestone – the only Grand Prix for which he didn’t qualify. Toleman didn’t run both cars for Friday qualifying, and then Senna suffered a fuel pressure fault on Saturday and didn’t make the grid.
Image: Cars International
It was restored in the early ’90s and is available with its original Hart turbo engine and a spare block from original Toleman team stock, along with full documentation including an unbroken chain of ownership since it left Toleman.
With a great history kickstarting the career of one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1, this car is utterly unique and magnificent, and looks like a lot of fun.
Check it out over at Cars International here.
Image: Memento Exclusives
When TG 183Bs Chassis #05 was retired, Senna hopped straight into this Toleman TG184-2, which would be his drive for the bulk of the season.
And he caused quite a stir with it, most famously at the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix, where, during a torrential downpour, he and Sefan Bellof stormed through the field and gave the big names a hard time.
Image: Memento Exclusives
After qualifying 13th he set the fastest lap and finished second against much more experienced drivers in far more competitive machinery, solidifying his place in Formula 1 and making his first steps on the way to becoming the King of Monaco.
Senna and the Toleman would stand on the podium twice more in that rookie season, taking third in the British Grand Prix at Brands hatch, and again in the final race of the season – the Portuguese Grand Prix.
Image: Memento Exclusives
This car is complete and running, with its Hart 1.5 straight 4 Turbo engine and race suspension, though Memento Exclusives note that the motor will require a rebuild before it’s unleashed fully.
Check it out at Memento Exclusives’ website here.
These two cars represent not only one of the greatest rookie seasons that Formula 1 has ever seen, but the launch of a true legend of the sport. They’re awesome, and we hope to see them go to a good home. And a return to the track wouldn’t be bad either!
Image: Memento Exclusives
TG 183Bs Chassis #05 via Cars International Images Cars International & The Cahier Archive
Toleman TG184-2 via Memento Exclusives Images via Memento Exclusives
