Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford
15th Mar, 2023 13:00
1991 Honda NSX
A one owner and low mileage example
Estimate £70, 000 - £80, 000
Registration No: S565 FVE
Chassis No: NA1-1008621
MOT: T. B. A
One owner from new, having been purchased new by a British businessman working in Dubai
Imported into the United Kingdom upon the late owner's return to the UK and retained by him until his passing
Only c. 33, 400 kilometres from new (equating to c. 20, 750 miles)Rare finished in Black and features a special order interior
Rated as ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ throughout by the vendor
The NSX (New Sportscar eXperimental) was a major departure for Honda, which by 1984 was renowned for its well-engineered but generally quite staid road cars. Its origins lay in the HP-X (Honda Pininfarina eXperimental) concept of that year and wowed the performance car world when it debuted at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show. The intention was to match or better the performance of contemporaneous V8 Ferraris, coupled with superior reliability and lower cost. The styling was inspired by the F-16 fighter jet, the paint process ran to 23 phases, and Ayrton Senna was involved in the vehicle's final development. It was the first mass-production car equipped with an all-aluminium body and was powered by an all-alloy V6 motor featuring Honda's patented VTEC engine control system and titanium connecting rods. The unit drove through a five-speed manual or four-speed sports automatic system.
Make no mistake, this was a mould-breaking motorcar that even caused McLaren F1 designer Gordon Murray to say: "When I drove an NSX, all existing benchmark cars vanished from my mind." The car was the first real Japanese 'supercar', proving itself and quickly establishing respect from its key competitors. However, this superiority was not translated into sales and, by the time production ceased in 2005, fewer than 20, 000 had been sold making them relatively rare and much sought-after today.
Manufactured in 1991, chassis no. NA1-1008621, was manufactured in 1991, being sold new to a British businessman who was based in Dubai and owned several supercars, including no fewer than two NSXs. Reputedly unregistered until 1999, the Honda subsequently accompanied the gentleman to the United Kingdom when he returned to Britain in the late 2000s. Remaining with him until his passing, one erroneous keeper change is showing on HPI due to a spelling mistake of the gentleman's name by the DVLA, but they have expressed that they are happy to rectify this. Finished in the very rare and striking colour combination of Black with special-order Red and Black leather interior, the NSX is offered for auction having covered just 33, 400 kilometres from new (equating to c. 20, 750 miles).
The Honda had been fitted with LED front lights, but an original specification set is accompaning, along with the front number plate holder. The 3. 0 V6 DOHC VTEC engine is allied to the four-speed automatic transmission, with the Honda recently benefitting from alloy wheel refurbishment and fitment of a TRUST exhaust system. Further provided with a full service, new timing belt and water pump, and a new battery in 2020, 'S565 FVE' is rated by the vendor as being in ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ condition throughout.
The NSX represents an exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire a one-owner and low mileage example of the iconic and now very collectable NSX, with a rare exterior colour and special-order interior.
Vendor Condition Ratings:
Bodywork: 'Excellent'
Engine: 'Excellent'
Electrical Equipment: 'Very Good'
Paintwork: 'Very Good'
Transmission: 'Excellent'
Interior Trim: 'Very Good'
