Vehicle Description
Imagine making a sports car so influential that it inspires the
McLaren F1, a car that is often granted the title of "one of the
greatest sports cars ever produced." You might know that
influential sports car as the Honda NSX, marketed in the US and
Hong Kong as the Acura NSX. An acronym for New Sportscar
eXperimental, the NSX was created to overtake the Ferrari 328 and
later the 348 in performance. After numerous engine trials, the car
ended up being powered by the 3.0 L C30A V6 that put out 270 hp and
210 lb-ft of torque through a five-speed manual transmission or 252
hp through a four-speed automatic. The block held the first
titanium connecting rods used in a production car engine, forged
pistons, and a high 8,300 rpm redline. All of this was built into
an all-aluminum semi-monocoque, the first production car to feature
such a construction, along with an extruded aluminum alloy frame
and suspension components that saved nearly 485 lbs in total. The
NSX was also developed in conjunction with Japanese Formula One
driver Satoru Nakajima and Brazilian Formula One World Champion
Ayrton Senna to perfect the car's chassis tuning. The NSX debuted
in Japan in 1990 and in 1991 in the US & Hong Kong, where it was
sold under Honda's Acura luxury brand. In 1997, Honda introduced a
higher displacement 3.2 L C32B V6 engine for the manual
transmission NSX that increased power output to 290 hp and 225
lb-ft of torque. The five-speed transmission was also substituted
for a six-speed with closer gear ratios. As a direct result, 0-60
mph times dropped to 4.5 seconds, making the 1997 NSX the fastest
car in North America according to Car and Driver. Other changes
included a keyless entry system, vehicle immobilizer system, and
electric power steering on the hardtop coupe trims. These examples
powered by the 3.2 L engine are referred to as NA2 models to
differentiate them from the NA1 models powered by the 3.0 L engine.
From 1991 to 2005, 18,000 examples of the first-generation NSX were
sold. This particular example is a 1998 Acura NSX hardtop coupe
with the more powerful 3.2 L V6 and the 6-speed manual
transmission. It is reportedly one of only five coupes produced in
1998 and the only one that was finished in Formula Red. It was sold
to its first owner by Paragon Acura of Long Island City, NY in 2000
finished in Formula Red with an Onyx leather interior. Shortly
after its acquisition by its previous owner in 2014, it underwent a
multi-year restoration that included removing most of the
aftermarket equipment, a repaint in Formula Red, redoing the Onyx
leather interior, replacing several engine components at 16,800
miles, and overhauling the suspension, brakes, and exhaust system.
While the engine was removed, a ScienceOfSpeed lost-motion assembly
was installed along with billet camshaft plugs. Non-factory
accouterments still present on this NSX are the forged 16? and 17?
BBS wheel and a Fujitsubo exhaust system that both complement
Honda's factory looks. A lightweight battery install along with an
oil and brake fluid change were performed in 2021 while the timing
belt service followed in April of 2022. This exact car was
reportedly also used by Acura in press releases for their 1999 NSX
Zanardi Edition, with a close-up photo of the press release car's
VIN included for cross-referencing. It's difficult to get any
closer to a supercar, both in looks and performance, than behind
the wheel of an NSX. Given this example's low mileage, fresh
restoration, and recent thorough service, it's to be expected that
everything looks and works the way it was intended. The BBS wheels,
while not original to the car, look perfect below the mirror-finish
Formula Red paint job. The interior surfaces certainly benefitted
from the refresh, with the leather throughout presenting in
wonderful shape. The aftermarket exhaust is also right at home on
this NSX, helping the refurbished engine show off its 270 horses
loud and proud. A McLaren F1 will run you millions of dollars at
auction so why not get the car that inspired it instead? Upon
purchase, the new owner will receive all of the factory booklets,
the service records on file, photographs of the refurbishment
process, multiple sets of keys, the rare and sought-after Zanardi
Edition press kit with photo negatives, several OEM parts, a car
cover, and awards that this NSX has won. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7670-1998-acura-nsx-zanardi-prototype-coupe/