1991-Acura-NSX

Description

1991 Acura NSX

VIN – JH4NA1157MT000583
Exterior Color – Red
Interior Color – Black leather
Engine – 3.0 Liter V6 VTEC
Transmission – 5-speed manual
Current Miles – 55,XXX miles TMU
Owner Purchase – Current owner purchased in 1996

General Overview

When Acura first launched the NSX, it instantly established Acura as a premier brand. Only four years had lapsed since the Acura name emerged as a premier division, but sports car perceptions were about to be forever changed.

Honda began their quest in 1984, eager to produce a competitor to Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche by targeting the Ferrari 328 as the car to beat. Honda wanted to meet or exceed the performance of the Ferrari, while maintaining Honda reliability, at a reasonable price. The team developed the commanding naturally aspirated V6 VTEC engine – the world’s first production car engine with titanium connecting rods, forged pistons, and ultra-high revving capabilities. With redline at a superior 8,000 rpm, the NSX was tested by Formula One winner Ayrton Senna, who would become a primary performance consultant, convincing the company to stiffen the NSX chassis further after testing the car at Honda’s Suzuka GP circuit. In addition to Senna’s extensive contributions, legendary Japanese Formula One driver Satoru Nakajima and prominent American driver Bobby Rahal were both active participants in the car’s unprecedented development as the world’s first all-aluminum production car.

When the NS-X (short for “new sports experimental”) debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in February 1989, sports car enthusiasts were astounded by its stance, striking lines, and distinct cab-forward design. Sporting a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout and lightweight aluminum construction, the NSX was hailed by many as the “Everyday Supercar” capable of competing against Ferrari and Porsche, offering incredible balance, sophistication, and reliability, while exceeding everyone’s expectations. Today these unique and desirable cars further engage new generations of enthusiasts eager to experience the astonishing performance as a new classic.

History and Build Details of This Car

This rare, first year NSX is one of 2,8 86 built with the 5-speed manual transmission, during the inaugural year of production. An early example, this car is known to have been in California since 1994 when it passed emissions inspection in San Rafael, CA with 36,745 miles recorded. Mileage accumulated to 68,646 by July 2001 when the vehicle was serviced in San Francisco, CA when it passed emission inspection. According to the recently printed Carfax report, in February 2003 an odometer reading was reported at 72,316 miles with a subsequent December 2004 report of 52,019 miles when an emissions inspection was performed. Despite a 20k difference in mileage recorded, further accumulated miles appear in sequence as recorded on the Carfax through August 2023 with the last reported mileage of 55,771.

The current owner purchased this car in 1996. Invoices dating back to 1992 indicate the current owner to be the second owner of this car. In July 1996, the current owner had a new clutch and bearing installed at Oakland Acura, followed by services in 1998. During this time, the car is noted by the service processor to have been painted black.

Under current ownership, this NSX has been modified including the installation of a carbon fiber hood, front bumper, fixed headlights from a 2003 model, side skirts, rear wing, dashboard, and bucket seats. The owner has retained the headlight mechanism, original hood, and trunk.

Condition Overview

Today this NSX features a glossy exterior finish with various vintage trim and emblems in generally good condition. The paint has aged, the side skirt color is a darker hue than the rest of the car, and the overall exterior appearance while presentable does have various visible paint flaws. The doors, hood, and deck lid open and shut properly, but the side skirts, carbon fiber hood, and rear wing exhibit variation in fit and finish, with various body seams unevenly finished at various body join areas. The aluminum body is in generally good condition including the stance and ride height, positioned on 255/35 VR18 Nitto NT555 rear and XXX front tires.

The black leather interior features typical wear on the seating surfaces, door panels and other interior materials that also feature signs of age, and various carbon fiber features which continue the modified theme consistent with the exterior. The trunk compartment is clean but has been soiled and stained with red paint, likely when the car was painted the current shade of red.

Under the hood, the engine appears generally stock, but various components have been painted red and visible overspray is evident in the engine compartment. An after-market red water hose is installed, and a few other items appear to also be non-stock replacement.

The car starts, stops, runs, and drives, maintains generally good driving manners but should be considered a project car both for the cosmetic condition and current mechanical condition.

Included with This Car

This car is accompanied by selected service records spanning 1992-1998, a set of black and red NSX branded floor mats, a spare yellow wheel rim, car cover, and a Pioneer Multimedia Navigation Receiver stereo manual are included with the car.