One to Buy: 3500 mile Grand Prix White 1993 Honda NSX
/
To capitalise on its position as the premier Formula 1 engine builder of the time, Honda approved arguably its most ambitious road car project yet, the NSX, a machine that would go head-to-head with the likes of Ferrari, Porsche and Lotus in the junior supercar market.
For a Honda (or Acura in North America) to compete with Europe’s aristocracy, it was clear the NSX would have to be something pretty special and, to that end, the engineers in Japan broke new ground.
Most significantly, the NSX became the world’s first mass produced car to feature an all-aluminium bodyshell. Aluminium was also used extensively for the suspension componentry; the NSX ran double wishbones with forged control arms and coil sprung dampers all round along with an anti-roll bar at either end.
Braking was via an independent four-channel ABS system with 282mm diameter ventilated discs. Forged five-spoke wheels measured 15 x 6.5-inches at the front and 16 x 8-inches at the rear.
In the engine bay was a state-of-art normally aspirated 3-litre V6 with dual overhead camshafts, variable valve timing, forged pistons and titanium connecting rods. Peak output was 270bhp at 7100rpm and 210lb-ft at 6500rpm.
Transmission was through a five-speed manual gearbox with a small diameter twin-disc clutch and a limited-slip differential.
Having gone into production for the 1991 model year, Honda added new features practically every twelve months thereafter. For 1992, Grand Prix White was added to the list of available colours while, for 1993, 2mm less toe-in at the rear improved tyre wear, a reconfigured centre console freed up a little more space, a revised air-conditioning system was installed and a passenger side airbag was added (which led to the glovebox being reduced in size).
In total, just 652 copies of the 1993 model year NSX were sold in the United States, undoubtedly among the best of which is chassis JH4NA1156PT000546 which will be going under the hammer at Mecum’s Indy sale on May 16th.
Configured in Grand Prix White with Black upholstery, chassis ‘0546’ has covered a little over 3500 miles from new and remains in superb unrestored condition throughout. It is accompanied by the original book pack and would make a superb addition to practically any collection.
