Wednesday 29th June 2011

Spotted: Honda NSX-R (series one)

Is this the Holy Grail for Honda fans?

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"Honda didn't export any series one NSX-Rs, and only one of the series twos to the UK. I reckon it would be hard to even get someone in Japan to sell one for export". This is what a Tokyo-based friend and avid Jap car fan told me when I asked him about the NSX-R.

He's right, too, in that this super-lightweight, low-volume, track-focused special NSX was only ever intended for the Japanese market. This particular NSX-R, however, was ordered new by a British expatriate who worked in the banking sector in Japan and who used it as his company car.

He specced the car from the factory exactly as he wanted it (convincing them to paint the roof of the car in the body colour rather than black) and even had some special Mugen parts nailed on for good measure (tubular manifolds and an ultra-low final drive - lower even than the already-shortened standard NSX-R version). When he returned to the UK he brought it with him and apparently it has changed hands only within the NSX Club of Great Britain since then.

As a result of this, the car's history is utterly comprehensive; there is paperwork (admittedly lots of it in Japanese) right from the factory build sheet to the present day to account for each and every time any work has been carried out. The Manga-esque illustrated NSX-R user's manual is also present, and there is even documentation of the original owner's participation in the NSX-R driving course.

We had a good crawl over the car and can confirm that it's pretty-much immaculate. The only area which isn't like new is where the Alcantara has just started to 'shine' on the outer parts of the driver's seat. The wheels, by the way, are 'NSX-R Custom Order Programme Step Three' (catchy name, eh?) items and are 16/17 inches as opposed to the stock NSX-R 15/16-inch Enkeis. Oh, and all the special 'R' parts (all listed on the ad - too many to cover here) are a joy to behold.

So how do you value such a car? It's a hard one to call, but if there's a buyer out there who covets one of these machines and understands exactly what it is then with its impeccable history, the £45k asking price for this one is probably a realistic starting point.

Whoever does buy it, though, should be contractually bound to take it out as much as is physically possible. If ever there was a car that just begged to be driven...

[McAndy]

Absolutely beautiful and incredibly rare...what's not to like? The NSX is still my favourite realistic "One day!" supercar, and this is a gem!

[Devil2575]

Nice!

[Luke89]

Never have I felt more gutted that my numbers didn't come in last night!

Automotive perfection IMO.

[Mermaid]

One day, soon. Nice.

[mat205125]

I'm an absolute sponge for this kind of techy, and hyper rare kinds of factory "skunk works" cars

[ejenner]

I don't like these 'not for driving' cars. Too rare, too much history, too valuable, etc, etc... has to be left in a museum somewhere instead!

[Noe]

http://www.goo-net.com/php/search/summary.php?make...

Goo net in japan has a number ... This link takes you for viewing .... I can't filter the 1 and 2's though

They are a rare sight here too even as the standard version ...... However certain nights on the wangan expressway you'll see the 'fast n furious' versions

[Downton Mini]

Ummm yes please I would love one of these one day I'd have it over over supercars any day

[LuS1fer]

Not for £45k however rare it is.

[soad]

What a fantactic pick!

[benjalex]

MMM that cabin is amazing! Perfect car, end of.

[Johnboy Mac]

Yes, please.

[APOLO1]

The Other UK White car apart from the JB vechile made 80k 2 years back.

[shibby!]

Meh, not for me.

ESP at 45k....

It would have to be 8k for me to even consider looking at it.... I just dont get the NSX. Sorry guys!

[spencermit]

Very very nice, must be worth the money?

[ejenner]

I would get it if it were 8k - like others have said.

[mp3manager]

Beautiful car!

But series one? WTH?? This is PH, call it by its chassis name...NA1

[300bhp/ton]

How different is the R from a regular NSX? And what sort of money would a normal NSX of the same vintage/condition cost?

[maximm]

Blimey that is awesome...I remember seeing the championship white one parked up in St Johns Wood a few years back and nearly wetting myself with excitement.

[Riggers]

300bhp/ton said:

How different is the R from a regular NSX? And what sort of money would a normal NSX of the same vintage/condition cost?

Don't know about the minutiae of the differences, but this one is £23k, at similar miles, but a couple of years older...