Most Formula 1 engines from the early 1990s were shipped back to Japan after each race, torn apart for analysis, and ultimately discarded. Serial number V805 should have met the same fate, but circumstance and timing saved this particular Honda RA100E V10 from the scrap heap. Now, 35 years later, Honda Racing Corporation is offering the last engine Ayrton Senna ever raced with V10 power – beautifully disassembled and displayed in a custom cabinet that would make any motorsport collection complete.
This isn’t just any race engine we’re talking about here either. V805 powered Senna’s McLaren MP4/5B during the warm-up session at the controversial 1990 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, and then again during the season-ending Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide. It was literally the final Honda V10 that the three-time world champion ever drove in competition, making it one of the most historically significant F1 engines ever to reach public auction.
The Engine That Nearly Disappeared
Honda’s normal procedure was ruthlessly efficient: engines came back to Japan, engineers disassembled them to study wear patterns and identify improvements, then discarded the components. V805 escaped this fate only because Honda had already begun developing their V12 engine for 1991, making detailed analysis of the outgoing V10 unnecessary. The engine sat forgotten in Honda’s warehouse until being rediscovered last year.
The 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V10 produced around 680 horsepower at 12,800 rpm, which were impressive figures for the first generation of post-turbo F1 engines. The RA100E featured a 72-degree bank angle, 93.0mm bore, 51.5mm stroke, and 12.4:1 compression ratio. More importantly, it helped deliver Senna’s second world championship in 1990.
Racing History That Matters
As the story goes, at Suzuka, Senna qualified on pole position but famously crashed into championship rival Alain Prost at the first corner, securing his title through the controversial collision. Two weeks later in Adelaide, V805 powered Senna to another pole position and led 61 of 80 scheduled laps before a gear selection problem ended his race.
While neither race resulted in victory, the historical significance runs deeper than podium finishes. This was Senna’s final race with Honda V10 power before the manufacturer switched to V12s, marking the end of an era.
Presentation Worthy of the Legend
Honda’s presentation here is really icing on the cake for the storied motor. Rather than selling it as a complete engine, Honda Racing Corporation’s expert technicians carefully disassembled every component and arranged them in a striking display case. The result resembles a mechanical art installation that showcases the engineering complexity of a 1990s F1 powerplant.
Every part is accounted for and could theoretically be reassembled into a running engine, though most buyers will likely appreciate the visual drama of seeing a complete F1 engine exploded into its constituent parts. And, of course, what would a 6-figure dismantled power plant be without Honda Racing Corporation’s certificate authenticity?
Spec Sheet
Model: Honda RA100E V10 Formula 1 Engine
Serial Number: V805
Configuration: 72-degree V10, naturally aspirated
Displacement: 3,498cc (3.5L)
Bore x Stroke: 93.0mm x 51.5mm
Compression Ratio: 12.4:1
Power: 680+ HP at 12,800 rpm
Fuel System: PGM-FI with dual injectors
Race History: 1990 Japanese GP warm-up, 1990 Australian GP race
Driver: Ayrton Senna (McLaren MP4/5B)
Authenticity: Honda Racing Corporation certificate included
Pricing & Availability
The engine crosses the block at Bonhams’ Quail Auction on August 15, 2025, during Monterey Car Week in Carmel, California. With no reserve and estimates of $80,000-$120,000, serious collectors should prepare for potentially spirited bidding.
Recap
Auction Block: Aryrton Sennas Final F1 Engine
Honda Racing Corporation is auctioning the last V10 engine Ayrton Senna ever raced – serial number V805 from the 1990 season – completely disassembled and displayed in a custom cabinet with estimates of $80,000-$120,000 at Bonhams’ August Monterey auction.
