One to Buy: ex-Tatsuru Ichishima Spoon Sports 2008 Honda NSX-R GT
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Just five examples of the legendary Super GT-inspired NSX Type R GT were built by Honda, one of which was sold to a customer while the other four were retained by the company.
Conceived with a view to give the NSX every chance of success in the new-for-2005 Super GT formula set to take over from the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship, Honda produced a tricked out special to homologate longer, wider bodywork with improved aerodynamics and more effective cooling.
The wide body GT body kit comprised new extended carbonfibre nose and tail aprons, bigger cooling intakes, bigger spoilers, deep side skirts and bigger venturis. Most distinctively, Honda added a blanked off intake snorkel on the rear window.
Set to go under the hammer at Bonhams’ Amelia Island auction on February 29th is a spectacular NSX-R purchased in 2007 as a body-in-white direct from Honda by Tatsuru Ichishima, the head of legendary tuning house Spoon Sports.
Ichishima wanted to build an NSX-R GT-type machine to celebrate 20 years of Spoon Sports and to race in the 2008 Macau Grand Sport Road Challenge. Chassis ‘001707’ was built up accordingly and, with Ichishima himself at the wheel, went on to finish sixth overall (third in class) in Macau.
With its cast-iron provenance, rich history and a unique specification that honours the NSX-R GT and Spoon Sports in the most spectacular fashion, this is one very special Honda.
