The NSX is usually attached to the Senna name, but this one boast a little more F1 provenance.
Honda’s NSX was the car that put Italian supercar makers on notice.
At the time, no one expected the likes of Honda, let alone any Japanese manufacturer, to lunch the comparative Ferraris, Lamborghini and Porsches of the time.
But being the first aluminium monocoque production car, the chassis possessed near-perfect balance, unrivalled structural rigidity and its handling capabilities were later honed by F1 driver Aryton Senna in the later stages of development.
Even more so, its mid-engined 3.2lt V6 took the Italian recipe and bested them at their own game.
It was a true underdog, which blasted on to the world stage and came out on top.
In the May 1994 edition of Wheels magazine, they pitted the NSX against the Ferrari 348ts, Lotus Esprit S4, and the Porsche 911. They claimed, the NSX: “by almost any rational measure, is the best, most perfect, of these cars”.
Few Japanese cars have reached those levels of praise against their Italian counterparts since.
NSXs are rare by today’s standards, and are steadily appreciating as these cars come into the nostalgic-era in the minds of today’s younger collectors.
This Long Beach Blue example however, may boast the most significant provenance to date (that is until Aryton Senna’s personal NSX one day unearths itself in some future high-dollar auction).
Offered to market by Parkway Specialist Cars in the UK, listed for AUD$183,434, this post-facelift 2004 Honda NSX was gifted by Honda to Jenson Button who raced with the Honda team from 2006-2008 and later won the F1 Drivers’ Championship in 2009.
Since Button’s initial ownership – the car passed through the private hands of three individuals, spending the past five years with its current owner in their private collection.
With only 27184 miles (since new 43748kms) since new, the car’s maintenance history is extensively documented and comes with full factory booklets, tool kit, original brochure, spare keys and written certification of Jenson Button connection.
While not one of the rarest NSX-Rs, a Japan-only racing-edition – this is likely the best condition NSX you’ll find outside of Honda’s own museum.