Some cars are special because they’re rare. Others matter because they’re fast. But every once in a while, a car becomes legendary because of who drove it. This 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet falls squarely into that last category as it was Ayrton Senna’s personal ride during his off-seasons in Portugal, and his signature is still visible on the back of the driver’s seat.
Currently bidding at €620,000 (roughly $728,700) on SBX Cars with just days left in the auction, this isn’t just another air-cooled 911 (because admittedly, there are plenty of those lying around for those of us with 6 and 7-figure budgets).
This feels more like a tangible piece of F1 history from arguably the greatest driver who ever lived. While a comparable 1987 911 Cabriolet might still fetch that 6-figure price tag, the power of provenance has pushed this example into entirely different territory.
More Than Just Transportation
Senna couldn’t register the car in his own name due to Portugal’s restrictions on foreign nationals, so it was officially owned by his close friend Antonio Carlos de Almeida Braga, known as “Braguinha.” But make no mistake, this was actually Senna’s personal escape machine. During breaks from the intensity of Formula 1, he’d retreat to Braga’s home in Sintra and use this 911 to explore the Portuguese countryside.
The three-time World Champion found solace in the simple act of driving something without telemetry, team radios, or championship points on the line. Just a naturally aspirated flat-six, a five-speed manual, and the kind of pure driving experience that made the 911 legendary in the first place. A truly relatable experience for any enthusiast.
Restoration Back to Original Glory
The car’s journey since Senna’s tragic death in 1994 reads like a redemption story. After changing hands, it was modified with wider “Turbo-style” rear fenders, painted yellow, and fitted with a spoiler – modifications that, while well-intentioned, took it away from its original specifications. In 2024, Portuguese specialists Love My Car undertook a painstaking restoration to return the car to exactly how Senna would have driven it.
The process involved stripping the body to bare metal and reapplying the original Silver Metallic paint (code L980), sourcing new OEM fenders and panels, and even replacing the rubber seals with factory parts. The attention to detail followed Porsche assembly manual standards throughout, ensuring this 911 looks and feels exactly as it did when Senna signed that driver’s seat.
Numbers That Tell a Story
Under the hood sits the classic 3.2-liter air-cooled flat-six producing 217 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Those aren’t earth-shattering figures by modern standards, but they represent the last of the pure, naturally aspirated 911s before turbocharging and water cooling changed the character forever. The G50 five-speed manual transaxle puts power to the rear wheels through a limited-slip differential.
At 74,462 kilometers (46,268 miles), this 911 shows remarkably low mileage for a 38-year-old car. The black leather interior features power-adjustable seats, air conditioning, and a period-correct Blaupunkt Montreux AM/FM cassette radio. Classic 16-inch Fuchs wheels with polished outer lips complete the authentic 1987 specification.
Documentation Beats Conversation
What separates this from other celebrity-owned cars is the extensive documentation. Portuguese registration papers, service records, restoration photos, and even a cameo appearance in the 2010 Netflix documentary “Senna” all confirm this car’s remarkable history. The original OH-18-13 license plate stays with the car, along with Senna’s signature as permanent proof of its pedigree.
Spec Sheet
Model: 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet
Engine: 3.2L air-cooled flat-six
Power: 217 HP / 195 lb-ft torque
Transmission: G50 5-speed manual
Mileage: 74,462 km (46,268 miles)
Paint: Silver Metallic (original L980)
Interior: Black leather with power seats
Wheels: 16″ Fuchs alloys with polished lips
Previous Owner: Ayrton Senna (3x F1 World Champion)
Restoration: Complete 2024 restoration to original specs
Documentation: Extensive provenance and service records
Special Feature: Senna’s signature on driver’s seat
Pricing & Availability
The auction ends soon with current bidding at €620,000 ($728,700). Given the rarity of Senna-connected vehicles and this car’s documented history, expect final pricing to reflect its status as one of the most significant celebrity-owned Porsches ever offered.
Recap
Ayrton Senna’s 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet
This 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet was personally driven by Ayrton Senna during his Portuguese retreats, features his signature on the driver’s seat, and has been fully restored to original specifications with complete documentation proving its remarkable provenance.
