Ayrton Senna / Lotus 99T
Race-Used Rear O.Z. Rim Table, 1987 Formula One Season
A singular and historically resonant motorsport artifact, this sculptural table is fashioned from an original rear O.Z. Racing wheel rim used by Ayrton Senna on the Lotus 99T during the 1987 Formula One World Championship season—a pivotal year that marked Senna’s final campaign with Team Lotus and his emergence as one of the sport’s most electrifying talents.
Executed in the unmistakable black-and-gold livery of John Player Team Lotus, the rim retains its period-correct O.Z. Racing branding and authentic race patina. Most notably, it is hand-signed and dated in white marker by Ayrton Senna, directly on the rim surface—an exceptionally rare characteristic, particularly for race-used Lotus components. The autograph remains bold and legible, exhibiting strong, unmistakable traits consistent with Senna’s hand during the late 1980s.
The rim has been elevated into a one-of-one functional artwork, mounted on a bespoke black pedestal stand designed to complement—never compete with—the artifact itself. The presentation is completed with a discreet integrated plaque and accompanying original Lotus Certificate of Authenticity, confirming the rim’s race use and Senna association. The transformation respects the integrity of the original object, preserving its provenance while granting it a new sculptural presence.
Historical Significance
The Lotus 99T represents a crucial chapter in Senna’s career: a technically innovative machine powered by Honda, and the car in which Senna achieved multiple victories in 1987. Race-used rear rims from this period are inherently scarce; examples signed by Senna and preserved with factory-issued authentication are virtually unobtainable.
Rarity
This piece stands at the apex of Formula One memorabilia. Signed race-used Lotus components from Senna’s pre-McLaren years are significantly rarer than later examples, and rear rims—subjected to extreme stress and typically discarded—were seldom retained. The conversion into a table renders this example entirely unique: a true 1-of-1 object, with no comparable counterpart known.
Craftsmanship
The bespoke stand has been executed with curatorial restraint, allowing the rim’s form, signature, and historic markings to remain the focal point. The balance between industrial precision and gallery-level presentation reflects a high level of craftsmanship, transforming an engineering component into a refined collectible suitable for the most discerning private collections.
An irreplaceable tribute to Ayrton Senna’s Lotus era—where raw speed, innovation, and legacy converge in a single, definitive object.
