The ‘90s! Concorde and the SR-71 Blackbird ruled the skies, Pink Floyd and Dire Straits played some of their greatest shows ever, car manufacturers produced what are arguably the best cars ever made, and Ayrton Senna won two of his three world Formula One Championships. The spine-chilling, goosebump-inducing video of Ayrton Senna tackling Monaco’s tight corners one-handed while shifting through the gears in his McLaren MP4/5B F1 car in 1990, is iconic to say the least.
Alongside showcasing Senna’s almost supernatural driving skills, the video also draws attention to the immense engineering that went into the Honda RA100E V10 engine that powered the McLaren. 35 years later, the hallowed parts of the very engine that powered Senna to the world championship can now be yours.
Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has announced the launch of its memorabilia business. The new venture will place on sale a wide range of high-quality memorabilia, including signed merchandise, limited-edition collectibles, and rare artefacts from Honda’s storied legacy in motorsport.
The Golden Era Of F1
For those who grew up idolising the golden era of Formula 1, when the cars were raw, the drivers were gods, and the engineering was unfiltered, this new initiative from HRC is nothing short of monumental. The very thought of holding a camshaft or a piston that once spun to a screaming 13,000 rpm under the command of Ayrton Senna’s right foot is enough to make any enthusiast’s heart race. This isn’t just memorabilia but tangible history, forged in the crucible of motorsport.
What makes this launch even more special is the authenticity behind every artifact. These aren’t reproduction pieces or modern replicas. These are the actual components pulled from the RA100E engines that screamed down the straights and danced through corners in the 1990 F1 season. Each piece has been meticulously extracted and preserved by the very hands that built them decades ago. Honda isn’t just selling parts; they’re offering sacred relics from the temple of speed.
The craftsmanship extends to the presentation as well. Each item — whether it be a cam cover glistening in that unmistakable Honda finish or a titanium connecting rod that once withstood the forces of a V10 at full tilt — is housed in a beautifully curated display case. The inclusion of an official HRC certificate of authenticity ensures that each piece is more than a collector’s item; it’s a verified fragment of motorsport legend.
Beyond F1
For the motorsport purists who revere Honda’s contribution not only to F1 but also to the world of motorcycle racing and American open-wheel series, there’s more to come. HRC has already begun selecting heritage machines and engine parts from its vast racing catalogue, including those from the IndyCar series and legendary MotoGP bikes. Whether it’s a crankshaft from a 500cc two-stroke engine or an exhaust pipe from an Indy V8, future offerings promise to span the full scope of Honda’s motorsport dominance.
The company’s refusal to let its past gather dust in a corner is a nod to the fact that motorsport isn’t just about speed, it’s about soul. With this initiative, Honda is making its DNA available to those who have been its loudest cheerleaders, its most devoted fans, and those who understand the artistry behind every championship-winning machine.
The decision to debut this program during Monterey Car Week couldn’t be more fitting. Amongst concours-level Ferraris, Bugattis, and Lamborghinis, Honda’s move brings a different kind of prestige — one born from lap records, pole positions, and chequered flags. It’s a celebration of engineering purity in an era where emotion and machinery were in perfect harmony.
If you’re a true petrolhead, this is your chance to own more than just a piece of metal — it’s a slice of racing immortality. Whether displayed in a personal garage, a motorsport-themed man cave, or a dedicated motorsport museum, these parts carry the echoes of V10 symphonies, pit lane chaos, and podium champagne.
HRC’s vision for this venture is clear: this is just the beginning. With Koji Watanabe at the helm, the program promises to evolve into a living archive of Honda’s racing conquests. As fans, we’re not just being invited to witness history — we’re being given the chance to hold it in our hands.
So, to the die-hard fans who still get goosebumps at the sound of a high-revving naturally aspirated engine and who can recount every corner of Suzuka blindfolded, start saving up. Because history, it turns out, now comes with a price tag.
You have a way with words, intriguingly-named Stig San!