A three-time Formula 1 World Champion, 41 Grand Prix victories from 161 starts, a further 39 podiums, and 65 pole positions. Ayrton Senna’s incredible topflight record begins with this car: the 1984 Toleman TG183B, chassis number 05.

Winning the first nine rounds of the 1983 British Formula 3 season earned the 23-year-old Brazilian tests with Brabham, McLaren, and Williams. But none of those teams could immediately offer him a promotion. That led Senna to sign for Toleman, initially on a three-year contract. Although borne out of a family-owned car transport service, the outfit had evolved from winning the F2 title to stepping into F1 with its own car and turbocharged engine.

While waiting for the new TG184 to be completed, Senna and team-mate Johnny Cecotto entered the 1984 campaign with the updated TG183B. Senna's car was a brand-new chassis built up over the winter. Penned by the great Rory Byrne (who would win seven Constructors’ titles at Benetton and Ferrari) plus John Gentry, the design was instantly recognisable for a distinctive front wing-mounted radiator and twin rear wings.

Appropriately for Senna, his F1 bow came on home soil. He qualified chassis TG183B-05 just ahead of Cecotto to land 16th on the grid for the Brazilian Grand Prix in Rio de Janeiro. However, he became the first retiree of 1984 when the Holset turbocharger feeding the 1.5-litre four-cylinder Hart engine failed on lap eight. After that early bath, the rookie was able to better announce himself on the world stage in the following South African Grand Prix.

Under the guidance of race engineer Pat Symonds, Senna ran 13th in qualifying at Kyalami. Despite damaging his front wing on the opening lap, he climbed the Toleman to 6th—finishing as the lead Pirelli runner only behind rivals running superior Michelin and Goodyear tyres. That lofty result snared his first-ever World Championship point from an eventual career total of 614. Reaffirming a rapid adjustment to life in F1, Senna next recovered from 19th in qualifying at Zolder to bank 7th over the line in the Belgian Grand Prix. He was eventually bumped up to another 6th place result after Tyrrell was disqualified from the entire season for an underweight car and illegal water refilling system.

A final front-line outing for chassis TG183B-05 arrived at Imola. One set of tyres having already delaminated in Brazil only added to the fact that Pirelli was no match for Goodyear or Michelin in 1984. The relationship between the supplier and Toleman came to a head during the San Marino Grand Prix weekend. Under pressure from Senna to switch to Michelin for the impending arrival of the TG184, the team announced it would forgo Pirelli rubber for the Friday running. The breakdown in the relationship forced Senna and Cecotto to sit out during practice. Toleman’s contract with Pirelli was ripped up soon after.

With the replacement TG184 design finally arriving in time for round five, the French Grand Prix at Dijon, retirement beckoned for chassis TG183B-05. As Senna—helped in part by his mesmeric drive to 2nd in a rain-soaked Monaco Grand Prix—went on to classify 9th in his maiden season, the car was initially retained by the Enstone team. It was then sold in 1992 to the United States and sympathetically restored. The Toleman eventually returned to the United Kingdom ahead of being purchased by the consigning owner in 2017.

In 2022, Sky Sports F1 released the celebratory documentary The Story of Toleman. For this half-hour broadcast, chassis TG183B-05 starred in a track test at former British Grand Prix venue Brands Hatch. In what is believed to have been its first run on a circuit since 1984, the car was driven by Martin Brundle. The nine-time F1 podium finisher was immediately impressed by its innate balance. “What an iconic car for Ayrton Senna,” said Brundle, whose resurgent form led to the famous battle with Senna for the British F3 title. "I can see why Ayrton made it go so quickly. It really feels quite together.”

Two years later, chassis TG183B-05 again returned to the TV screen. As Sky Sports F1 marked the 40th anniversary of Senna’s first Grand Prix and 30 years since he was killed at Imola, the car was piloted by Pierre Gasly. Racing for Alpine (the modern-day incarnation of the Enstone team, following its title-winning turns as Benetton and Renault), the 2020 Italian Grand Prix winner was joined by presenter and ex-W Series racer Naomi Schiff to steer the Toleman around Silverstone. Wearing a specially commissioned yellow, blue, and green helmet in tribute to Senna’s iconic design, Gasly said: “I can’t remember such an incredible experience… Driving Senna’s first-ever F1 car exceeded all my expectations… It was so emotional… The purity of the driving is incredible… A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I will never forget… Very, very special.”

Chassis TG183B-05 visited the Northamptonshire track again in August 2024 for the Silverstone Festival race meeting. Displayed centre stage on the Hamilton Straight alongside 10 other F1 cars, junior single-seaters, karts, motorbikes, rally and road cars from throughout Senna’s life, the line up formed the biggest vehicular tribute to the Brazilian ever ensembled.

That celebration was just one way the racing community honoured the three-time F1 World Champion, such is his enduring legacy. A legacy that started with chassis TG183B-05, the car in which Senna made his Grand Prix debut and secured his first-ever points finish.

Testament to its preservation, TG183B-05 heads to auction in Monaco retaining many authentic features, including its original gear lever and knob while still showing “Aryton” (spelled incorrectly) on the footrest. It is offered in running condition, powered by a correct-type Hart 415T engine and benefitting from a rebuilt turbocharger and transmission. Further mechanical information is available to view on file.

Whether the next owner wishes to return this car to competition in the historic F1 series for which it is eligible, including the blue-ribband Monaco Historic Grand Prix, perform demonstration runs, exhibit the car, or keep it as part of a private collection, chassis TG183B-05 will forever remain a key chapter in the Senna story. The opportunity to acquire such a significant piece of motorsport history is not to be missed.