Honda NSX

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When Honda brought out their all-aluminium NSX in 1990, it immediately overshadowed Ferrari’s delectable 348, sending the temperamental Italian back to the drawing board to sort out a number of highlighted niggling issues.

Honda had created what was arguably the first usable supercar that was easy to drive and live with on a daily basis. Packing a mid-engined 3.0-litre V6, boasting Honda’s innovative variable valve timing system, it developed a usable 266bhp, enough to whip the NSX to 60mph in under six seconds on its way to a top speed of 168mph. Not only was it less high strung than contemporary products from Modena, it was also cheaper and offered similarly exotic packaging with greater reliability and the option of automatic transmission too!

This corking example is an early 1991 Mark I model which was specifically sourced from Japan by Honda main dealer Balmer of Brockenhurst, Hampshire, as a centre piece for their showroom in 2015 where it remained on display for two years before being acquired by our vendor, the sole UK keeper other than Honda.

The JDM spec of this 41,150km (25,500 mile) example is very good indeed, featuring automatic transmission and power steering (the early UK cars did not offer this) and a full and very comfortable leather interior with retro-fit radio and navigation unit. The car sits nicely and stands out from the crowd in silver with black tint screen and lovely lightweight Enkei alloy wheels (17inch at the front, 18inch at the rear). It also has a stainless RSR sports exhaust that although subtle, allows just enough howl from the engine to make you smile from ear to ear on kickdown.

Immediately after it arrived from Japan, and then again following its subsequent sale by Balmer Honda, the car was subjected to a thorough check-over including suspension and chassis components, major service (timing belts and all filters), mph speedo facia change (retaining the km odometer), UK audio and sat nav system, refurbished alternator and replacement battery.

The car has only covered around 2,000 miles since and as such has needed little work bar a simple service, replacement fan relay and check-over in December 2018 by Performance Autoworks of Cirencester.

The history file includes documentation from Balmer Honda relating to its import and remedial works, Japanese export docs, sale invoice to our vendor, service invoice and two old MOTs. The car has a current MOT until December 2019 with no advisories recorded. Buyers should note, the cherished plate shown is to be retained and the car will return to its age-related plate of J19 OFX upon completion of a sale.

Good, low mileage NSX’s are a rare treat, particularly when specially selected by a Honda main dealer. We like it a lot and with Japanese classics surging in value of late it looks like an opportunity not to be missed.