If you’re a fan of unique machines with a fascinating history, then you’ll be interested in this Honda ST 70 ‘Ferrari’ Formula One Paddock Bike owned by Nigel Mansell. It’s being sold as part of RM Sotheby’s Nigel Mansell’s Legacy Collection, and it dates back to the time when Mansell raced for Scuderia Ferrari.

Nigel Mansell was a talented and determined Formula One driver in the 1980s and early 1990s. He was known for pushing himself and his cars to the limit, even during his early days in racing.

A Brief History of Nigel Mansell’s Racing Career

Mansell’s racing career was filled with memorable moments. One of the most notable incidents was when he had a serious crash that broke his neck, almost leaving him quadriplegic. Despite this, Mansell checked out of the hospital to compete in his next race. This determination and mindset remained with him throughout his racing career.

After joining Colin Chapman’s Lotus Formula One team as a test driver, Mansell suffered severe burns during his F1 debut at the 1980 Austrian Grand Prix. He continued with Lotus for several years before switching to Williams in 1985, where he started winning races. Despite coming close, he narrowly missed winning the F1 Drivers’ World Championship on two occasions due to last-minute misfortunes.

In 1989, Mansell moved to Ferrari and became known for his “win it or bin it” attitude, which earned him the nickname “Il Leone” (The Lion) from his fans. One race that stood out was at the Hungaroring, where Mansell brilliantly overtook Ayrton Senna’s McLaren to win the race.

In 1992, he finally became the Formula One World Champion with Williams. Mansell later made history by becoming the first rookie to win the CART Indycar World Series in his debut year in 1993. To date, he remains the only driver to have held both the Formula One Drivers’ Championship and the CART championship simultaneously.

Nigel Mansell’s Honda ST 70 ‘Ferrari’ Paddock Bike

Now, let’s talk about the bike that’s up for sale. This particular Ferrari-themed Honda ST 70 pit bike is from the 1989 season, as indicated by the listed year. Although Honda stopped producing the ST 70 in 1981, they continued making its companion model, the CT 70, until 1994. The factory plaque confirms that this bike is indeed an ST 70, but the exact year it was made is unclear.

However, the specific year might not matter much to the potential buyer of this bike. Whether it’s in running condition or not as of August 2023, the enthusiasm, knowledge, and availability of parts make it relatively easy to restore it to a rideable state.

The auction for Nigel Mansell’s Legacy Collection by RM Sotheby’s will take place from October 4 to 11, 2023. This ST 70 is being offered without a reserve price and is expected to sell for £5,000 to £10,000 (approximately $6,299 to $12,598 USD as of August 28, 2023). If you’re interested in owning one of the few ex-Ferrari F1 Honda ST 70 bikes in the world, especially one previously owned by Nigel Mansell himself, make sure to mark your calendars and set reminders!