1999 Acura NSX

Sold for $240,800 at 2022 Bonhams : The Quail Auction.
A total of 51 examples of the NSX were built as the Zanardi Edition. These were special edition models built to commemorate the success of champion race car driver Alex Zanardi. Mechanical upgrades and a substantial weight reduction over the conventional NSX improved the overall performance. Among the changes were the removable Targa top for a much more rigid and lightweight fixed roof, a lightweight rear spoiler, single pane glass, the removal of its power rack and pinion steering, lightweight bespoke BBS forged wheels, and a lightweight battery. These changes reduced the overall weight by 149 pounds over a standard NSX model.

The bespoke changes made to the suspension favored those of a track-based model. Each Zanardi edition NSX is numbered with a plaque between the special Alcantara-equipped seats, displaying which of the 51 numbered cars it was born as. All 51 Zanardi models were produced in New Formula Red, the same color as Honda's winning Indy racecar driven by champion racer, Alex Zanardi.

This particular example was the third Zanardi example built and one of the first to arrive in the United States. It has a Japanese domestic market OEM Type-S radio delete panel installed for additional weight savings. It is also one of the few examples to receive the Acura-approved, dealer-installed Comptech high-performance exhaust manifolds and stainless-steel exhaust.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2022