Photos provided by the vendor

Highlights

Just one owner from new
Low mileage of 33,400km (~20,875 miles)
From a private collection
“N5XFF” cherished registration included
Rare Gloss Berlina Black paintwork
Special order two-tone leather upholstery
3-litre V6, automatic transmission
HPI clear

The Appeal

It was the first true Japanese supercar, Ayrton Senna was involved in the development, the styling was inspired by an F16 fighter jet and it was beloved of Gordon Murray. The list of legendary facts about the NSX is as long as your arm, and rightly so. First revealed at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show, it was a staggering achievement for a mainstream car manufacturer – producing a car that sucker-punched the Italian supercar elite and set a new standard for how such vehicles should drive.

Needless to say, they are still revered today, with good examples much sought after and highly prized by collectors. With that smooth, early 90s styling, mid-engined layout, rev-hungry VTEC V6 and fabled agility, they still offer a compelling and rewarding driving experience to back up the myth.

This example was an early JDM specification special order – a 1991 car that was delivered to a private collector in Dubai. Kept in a showroom as part of their collection, it was not registered for the road until 1999 and was first registered in the UK in 2009 when the owner relocated here. Cherished, always garaged and sparingly used, it shows just 33,400km on the clocks.

As a one-owner, low mileage NSX, this vanishingly rare machine with rare gloss Berlina black paintwork and special order interior trim is a scintillating prospect.

The History and Paperwork

Just one owner from new
Delivered new to Dubai in 1991
Stored in a private collection - registered for the road in 1999
Imported to the UK by its first owner in 2009
Recommissioned 2015-2017
Stored from 2018 to 2023
Major service 2020
Low mileage of 33,400km
Always garaged
Dubai number plate and insurance documents are included
A selection of paperwork for work carried out
Includes the private registration “N5XFF” (not pictured)
HPI check all clear
Current MOT with no advisories until February 2024

The Interior

Special order two-tone leather interior
Electrically adjustable seats
Electric windows and door mirrors
Factory radio/cassette system
Air conditioning

Ordered with a bespoke black and red leather interior, the cabin strikes a balance between sporting intent and eye-catching design. The large glasshouse of the NSX makes for surprisingly good visibility too, so when you’re safely ensconced in the low down sports seats, you should have no problem seeing everything around you.

The leather itself shows well, the rich red providing a lift to the cabin and with minimal evidence of wear and tear to the seats. Grey carpet runs through the cabin, complemented with grey over mats, which the vendor tells us are the original items. They look to be in fine fettle, with some light wear.

All of the switchgear and trim shows well, with some minor blemishes and marks, as you’d expect from any car of this age. Although the electric aerial operates as expected, the radio has proved reluctant to switch on from time to time and, although it's reportedly behaved itself of late, the vendor has a spare on standby.

At the back, the large rear glass cover lifts to reveal the black carpeted engine cover. This looks to have a number of marks or possibly some UV damage, but nothing to detract from the overall ambience of the car. Further back, the NSX benefits from a handy luggage space which also houses an almost-complete original toolkit.

In all, it's a very good interior with a colour scheme that really makes it stand out and which provides a welcome contrast to the exterior hue.

The Exterior

Factory Gloss Berlina Black paintwork
Upgraded LED front combination lamps and fog lights (originals included)
Pop-up headlights
Refurbished original alloy wheels with new tyres all round

We’re informed that the Berlina Black paintwork, which retains a wonderful deep gloss, is a rare factory colour. Certainly it presents in very good order, with a smooth finish. Naturally, as a 32 year old car, there are a handful of minor blemishes, including a small minor mark on the passenger door, but these do not detract from the overall appearance of the vehicle and the excellent paint finish.

The styling of the NSX has always been one of its prime features – it looks superb, and screams “performance” even when it’s parked. That cab-forward stance, with the mid-ship engine placement and long rear deck with integrated spoiler makes for a unique silhouette. All of this bespoke bodywork presents very well here too, we didn’t note any damage or corrosion at all. Panel gaps look typically Honda – that is to say, tight and even.

Similarly, the trim and badging all appears to be present, correct and in a good state of presentation. The only issue we could see was some perishing and splitting to the driver's door window rubber, but this would be expected from such an original vehicle of this age. Usefully, the windscreen seal and rear hatch rubbers have reportedly just been replaced.

Finished in smart metallic gunmetal grey, the 16-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels are the original items, but have been refurbished this year and now show in excellent overall condition. They are dressed with a matched set of new tyres in the correct original fitment.

Overall, it looks a stunning example and is sure to turn heads wherever it goes.

The Mechanics

2,977cc DOHC, VTEC V6
Four-speed automatic transmission
Trust stainless steel performance exhaust system
Extensive recent maintenance

With its naturally aspirated, all-alloy 3-litre V6 VTEC, the NSX was always going to be a fine performer. In this automatic model it produces some 252hp, more than enough to push this sub-1400Kg car along at a brisk pace. This particular example has been treated to a stainless steel Trust exhaust system, enhancing the already superb VTEC exhaust note of the V6.

Between 2015 and 2017 the car was recommissioned by specialists DI Racing of Cambridge. The work undertaken included fitting a new alternator, new battery and a full brake refurbishment including new discs and pads. In 2020 the car had a major service, which included the timing belt and water pump.

We’re assured that the car is in “excellent” mechanical condition, with no reported faults or issues at all.

Summary

Rare and very collectable, the NSX is an exceptional vehicle. This handsome and uniquely specified example’s low mileage, one owner history and condition make it a genuine one of a kind and the perfect car for anyone looking to add something noteworthy to their collection.

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