A replica of Ayrton Senna’s McLaren is kept on display by a businessman in a car store in Três Pontas, in the south of Minas. The faithful copy of the car used by the Brazilian in 1993 was built by an upholsterer from the southern city of Minas Gerais. Both the businessman and the upholsterer are passionate fans of the pilot, who died 30 years ago.
The work lasted six months. Among the stages, cutting of materials, cutting, painting and finishing. The car, in fact, does not have an engine, it is basically the structure of a Formula 1 adapted for the upholsterer’s reality. Instead of carbon fibers and cutting-edge technology, wood, fabrics and common everyday tools.
30 years without Senna: Tapeceiro do Sul de Minas creates replica of the McLaren that the driver used
The upholsterer recalls that many people asked what he built and even doubted whether it would be possible to make a replica. He, however, literally took the dream from paper until he had a copy of his idol’s car.
– I took and bought the hardware, the things, and everyone [perguntando] what is that? Is that a bookshelf? What are you doing? Because everything was lying there. I said this, this is a Formula 1 car. [Eles respondiam] ‘Formula 1 car? you are crazy?’. Everyone doubting, wanting to make fun, make a fuss. But I always believe in myself. I never worried about what the people on the street were going to say – said Ralfe.
When he built the replica, he had no idea of selling it. However, for the price of a popular car, the car was sold to businessman Giovani Adenilson de Brito de Três Pontas, who keeps it on display in his car store.
He explains that he bought it at the time he had set up a gas station, which was from the same brand that sponsored the McLaren car. After that, all of his ventures began to refer to the idol, and the replica is now on display in the car store he owns in the city.
– In addition to being a fan of Ayrton Senna, [ter comprado a réplica] For me it was combining the useful with the pleasant – said the businessman.
New project… this time motorized!
After having built Ayrton Senna’s life-size McLaren, the upholsterer announced that he is now working on building another replica of the car used by his idol: the Lotus.
The difference this time, according to him, will be the fact that the copy will also have an engine, so it can travel through the streets.
– In a few days, the Lotus replica will come out and this time with a motorbike, to drive on the street – he revealed.
