1999 Honda NSX Coupé

Registration no. T7 TDS Chassis no. JHMNA2140WT000008

Footnotes

Honda's first supercar, the NSX set new standards for the class on its arrival in 1989, possessing the expected stupendous performance while remaining as civilised and easy to drive as the average family hatchback. Honda was already committed to Formula 1, supplying engines for the all-conquering McLarens of Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna, and was able to call on the latter to assist in developing the NSX, which is the only road car ever to benefit from the great Brazilian driver's expertise. The result was a car that wowed the motoring press when the scribes first got their hands on a pre-production prototype in the summer of 1989.

Despite being developed during F1's turbo era, the NSX's 24-valve 3.0-litre V6 engine was normally aspirated. Equipped with the new VTEC variable valve timing system, the all-alloy unit produced 270bhp initially, which was good enough for a top speed of 168mph and a 0-60mph time of less than six seconds. Those performance figures put the NSX on a par with Ferrari's 348 GTB, but in terms of comfort, ergonomics, driving dynamics and build quality, the NSX was in a different league entirely. Sadly, this superiority was not translated into sales, and by the time production ceased in 2005, fewer than 20,000 NSXs had been sold.

In 1997 the NSX underwent a performance upgrade that saw the arrival of a larger (3.2-litre) engine with increased power and torque, which cut the 0-60mph time to 4.7 seconds. This revised model, being the type offered here, also featured a six-speed manual gearbox, variable power-assisted steering, and a drive-by-wire throttle.

A UK-delivered, one-owner, low-mileage car equipped with the desirable six-speed manual transmission, this example has been serviced by the supplying dealer from new and as such represents the 'Holy Grail' for British NSX aficionados. The NSX-enthusiast vendor's second example, this particular car was purchased new by him from main dealer Guy Salmon Honda and first registered in March 1999, since when it has covered circa 20,000 miles (all supporting bills and MoTs are on file). Furthermore, it has been regularly serviced by the original dealer and more specifically by the same mechanic, Alan Davis, an acknowledged NSX specialist. Finished in black with highly attractive, and rare, caramel coloured leather seats, the car is in immaculate condition and is fitted with a Cobra NavTrak tracking system, which can easily be reactivated if required. Offered for sale only because the vendor is emigrating, this beautiful Honda NSX represents a rare opportunity to acquire a superb example of one of the defining supercars of the 1990s.