Overview of the 1991 Honda NSX NA1
This 1991 Honda NSX is a one owner, rear wheel drive, mid engine sports car offered at USS Yokohama on 6 October 2026 as lot 30151. It is the original NA1 with the 3.0 litre V6 and a five speed manual gearbox, finished in silver with Honda's factory colour code NH552M. The sheet records the chassis code as E-NA1, the first registration as October 1991 (Heisei 3), and the frame number as NA1-1004656.
The headline figures are what make this Honda NSX worth a close look. The auction grade is 4.5 and the interior grade is B. The odometer on the sheet reads 6,921, which is approximately 4,301 miles if, as the feed and the kilometre per hour speedometer in the photographs indicate, the unit is kilometres. The sheet itself does not circle a unit, so that point is flagged here rather than assumed. The inspector lists only light cosmetic marks: a faint scratch on the roof, a small scratch on the rear bumper, creased and scuffed seats and scratched wheels. One item needs a proper look before bidding, because the sheet notes the ALB (anti lock brake) warning lamp as on.
An early NSX with this little recorded use is increasingly hard to find. This report translates the auction sheet, explains the damage diagram, reviews the car and sets out what an overseas buyer needs to know before placing a bid.
The Drive Review: Honda NSX NA1
Nobody at Autoselecta has driven this particular car, so this section describes the NA1 NSX as a model. It is the car that changed what enthusiasts expected from a supercar. The engine sits behind the cabin, the body is aluminium, and Honda developed it with real input from drivers, Ayrton Senna among those who tested prototypes and pushed for a stiffer chassis. The result is a car that feels light, precise and approachable at ordinary speeds, then rewards commitment as the revs rise.
The 3.0 litre C30A V6 uses VTEC, and the character is the point. Below the crossover it is smooth and tractable, with a clean, slightly muted sound. Higher in the rev range the cam profile changes, the exhaust note hardens and the engine pulls hard towards the red zone, which on the tachometer in the photographs sits close to 8,000 rpm. Honda quoted around 280 PS in Japanese specification, which sounds modest today, but the delivery is linear and the car never feels short of speed on a good road.
The five speed manual is a short, mechanical shift with a light clutch, and it suits the car perfectly. The seating position is low, the glass area is generous, and the view over the front wings is among the best of any mid engine car. Steering feedback is clear and the balance is neutral and forgiving, with none of the nervousness associated with its Italian rivals of the period. Compared with a modern performance car there are no drive modes, no screens and no layers of electronic intervention. You feel the road, and the engine asks to be used. That is why the NSX is so highly regarded as an analogue driver's car, and why a low mileage example is so appealing.
Auction Details
The car is lot 30151 at USS Yokohama, listed in the Domestic Prime Corner section of the sheet. The auction date in Japan is 6 October 2026. The sheet gives the first registration as October 1991 (H3), the auction grade as 4.5 and the interior grade as B. The feed lists the exterior grade as 4.5. The inspection expiry field on the sheet is blank, and the inspection date is not given in the data.
The auction start price is ¥14,800,000. No Autoselecta guide bidding range has been set for this car. For context only, three similar cars have sold at Japanese auctions at prices between £49,266 and £60,578, typically about £57,445. These are auction results, not Autoselecta sales, and that range includes other versions and conditions, so it should not be read as a prediction for this car. The current minimum bid and the estimated delivered cost are calculated live in the price panel on this page, because they change after publication.
All bids must be submitted before 9PM UK time the evening before auction.
Vehicle Specifications
Manufacturer: Honda. Model: NSX, base grade. Chassis code: E-NA1 (NA1). Frame number: NA1-1004656. First registration: October 1991 (Heisei 3). Body style: two door, two seat mid engine coupe. Engine: 3.0 litre petrol V6, 3,000 cc, the C30A in this model. Transmission: five speed manual (F5 on the sheet). Drive: 2WD, which on the NSX means rear wheel drive. Exterior colour: silver, colour code NH552M, with no colour change recorded. Interior: black leather in the photographs, with the sheet marking leather as equipment. Odometer: 6,921 on the sheet, approximately 4,301 miles if read as kilometres. Fuel: petrol, circled on the sheet. The photographs show a right hand drive car, although the steering field on the sheet is not marked.
Factory Features and Equipment
The sheet marks genuine alloy wheels, power windows, leather and an airbag. Air conditioning is shown as AC, and the climate control panel is visible in the interior photograph. The photographs also show a cruise control switch on the steering column, a stereo head unit and a digital display in the centre of the dashboard. Power steering is struck through on the sheet rather than circled, so it is not listed as equipment. The car is fitted with a translucent engine bay cover, and the sheet notes that the standard cover is also supplied.
Service book, owner's manual, spare key, number of keys, spare wheel, navigation and ETC are not confirmed on the auction sheet. The service book field has no visible mark on either the present or absent option, so buyers should not assume the car has a service history.
Japanese Auction Report Translation
The sheet carries the heading Domestic Prime Corner and the lot number 30151. It lists engine size 3,000 cc, chassis code E-NA1, first registration October 1991 (Heisei 3), model NSX, two doors, grade base grade and drive 2WD circled. The auction grade is written as 45 and read as 4.5, and the interior grade is B. The inspection expiry field is blank. The odometer reads 6,921 with no unit circled. The original colour is silver with no colour change, colour number NH552M, fuel is petrol, shift is F5 (five speed floor manual), air conditioning is AC, and the seating capacity is two. The frame number is NA1-1004656. The service book field (有 or 無) has neither option marked, and the steering field (left or right) is not marked.
Equipment marked: genuine alloy wheels, power windows, leather and airbag. PS is struck through and so is not listed.
The sales points read: one owner, with transfer and deregistration completed. A second line mentions storage in a covered garage with a body cover, but the words for covered garage and stored are struck through, leaving only with body cover legible, so that line should be treated with caution. The third sales point is a translucent engine bay cover.
The points to note read: a standard cover also exists for the translucent engine bay cover, and it will be sent to buyers who want it with postage paid by the buyer on delivery. The ALB (anti lock brake) warning lamp is noted as on, which is read with moderate confidence. A circled request for display under a roof appears to have been struck through. There is also handwriting under the lot number that is not legible.
The inspector's report reads: seat creases and scuffs, wheel scratches, and light scratches. No oil leak, coolant leak, engine noise, gearbox fault, accident repair or rust is recorded in the readable text.
Damage Diagram and Body Condition
The diagram shows only two markings. On the roof, in the centre of the car, the sheet notes a light, faint scratch (written as ウスA, a faint A grade scratch). This is a surface mark of the kind a roof collects through washing and covering, and it should be minor. At the rear bumper there is an A1 mark, a small scratch. The inspector also notes scratches on the wheels in the written comments, although no wheel is marked on the diagram.
There are no W marks for repair or panel waves, no XX for replaced panels, no dents and no rust or corrosion markings anywhere on the diagram. In the photographs the silver paint looks even and clean from the front, rear and both three quarter angles, with straight panel gaps and no obvious blemishes. The photographs were taken in the auction hall with water droplets on the car, and they cannot show the underbody or the engine bay. Overall this is a usable collector condition car: very tidy for its age, with only light cosmetic marks recorded, and the wheel scratches and bumper mark are simple to address if the next owner wants a perfect finish.
Interior Condition
The interior is graded B, which describes a good, lightly used cabin. The inspector records seat creases and scuffs, which is typical of a leather driver's seat on a low slung car that has been entered and exited many times. In the photograph the black leather looks soft and presentable, the dashboard shows no visible cracks or lifting, and the dashboard top and door cards appear clean. The grey carpet and mat in the footwell look tidy. The gear lever is a leather covered knob in front of a smart centre console, and the steering wheel is a leather rimmed three spoke with the Honda emblem.
The instrument cluster photograph shows the tachometer, speedometer marked in kilometres per hour, fuel and temperature gauges, and an odometer reading consistent with the 6,921 on the sheet. No smoke, odour, headlining or carpet faults are mentioned in the readable inspector text.
Japanese Auction Grades
Japanese auction houses grade cars on a scale from 1 to 5, with higher numbers indicating better overall condition. A grade of 4.5 sits just below the very best and describes an excellent example with only slight imperfections. The interior grade runs from A downwards, and B indicates a good interior with ordinary wear. This car is graded 4.5 overall, with an exterior grade of 4.5 in the feed and an interior grade of B on the sheet.
The grade is the auction's independent assessment of the condition as seen on the day. It is not a mechanical inspection and it is not a warranty. The grade should always be read alongside the written comments, which here include the ALB warning lamp, and the diagram.
Model History of the Honda NSX
Honda revealed the NSX in 1989 and put the NA1 on sale in Japan in 1990. It was the world's first mass produced car with an all aluminium monocoque body, and Honda built it by hand at a dedicated plant in Tochigi. It was a deliberate challenge to the established European supercars, built with Honda's own engineering philosophy: a car that could be driven every day, with clear visibility, a comfortable cabin and legendary reliability.
The original 3.0 litre C30A engine used VTEC and titanium connecting rods. The early cars are rear wheel drive with a five speed manual or an optional four speed automatic. The NSX was later developed with the Type R from 1992, the Type T targa roof from 1995 and, in 1997, a 3.2 litre engine with a six speed manual. Production of the first generation continued until 2005, with roughly 18,000 cars built across all versions. The 1991 cars are the earliest of the line, with the least change from Honda's original concept.
Why This Model Has Become Collectible
The Honda NSX is collectible because it combines engineering significance, driving quality and a clear place in motoring history. It was a Japanese supercar that proved a car could be exotic and dependable at the same time, and it influenced rivals around the world. The aluminium construction, the VTEC V6 engine and the manual gearbox give an unfiltered driving experience that newer cars rarely offer.
Supply is the other half of the story. Production numbers were small, early cars are the rarest of an already limited run, and the best survivors are low mileage, one owner examples kept in good condition. Japan is the best source of such cars, but good ones are becoming harder to find as the market recognises their appeal. This car is also eligible for import into the United States, which has widened global demand. No one can guarantee future values, and the car should be bought to be enjoyed, not as an investment.
What To Look For When Buying This Model
Start with the points on this auction sheet. The ALB warning lamp is noted as on. The sheet does not give the cause, so the buyer should assume the anti lock system needs diagnosis, which could be as simple as a sensor or as involved as the modulator. Check whether the brakes themselves work properly.
More generally, the C30A is a robust engine, but it has a timing belt and water pump that need regular replacement, and with so low a mileage the age of the belt matters more than the distance. Without a confirmed service book, assume the cambelt, fluids, brake fluid and coolant need renewing. Also look for oil seepage around the VTEC solenoid, clutch hydraulic condition, suspension bushes, dampers and the condition of the rubber components after thirty years. Aluminium bodywork needs specialist repair, so any accident damage should be assessed carefully, and for this car the diagram shows none. Finally, tyres of this age should be checked for date codes whatever tread remains.
Why Import This Car From Japan
Japan is the best place to buy an early NSX. The cars were sold new in Japan in large numbers, they are generally well cared for, mileages are often low, and the auction system provides a standardised, independent inspection of every car. Rust is less of a concern on a garaged example, and the sheet gives a clear view of the car's condition. Here the sheet records one owner and very few cosmetic marks.
Buying at auction also gives access to cars that never appear on the open market, and a buyer can see the whole sheet, the diagram and the photographs before bidding. This Honda NSX is a good example of why overseas buyers look to Japan.
USA Import Information
This car was first registered in October 1991, which makes it 25 years or older and eligible for import into the United States. Autoselecta can arrange shipment from Japan to the United States. Please contact Autoselecta with your city or ZIP code before bidding, so we can prepare a delivered quotation. We can calculate the expected purchase price, Japan costs, shipping, customs related costs and delivery requirements. Additional charges may apply depending on the port, the customs entry and the destination, so these should be confirmed before you bid.
Ultimate Guide For Japanese Imports
Buying a car from a Japanese auction follows a clear process. You choose a car, we translate and check the auction sheet, and you set a maximum bid. Autoselecta bids on your behalf, and the car is bought only if the auction price stays within your limit. If you win, the car is collected, deregistered and prepared for export, then shipped to your country. Every country has different rules on age, emissions, safety and registration, so check your own country's import requirements before bidding. Canada, for example, applies a 15 year rule, while the United States applies a 25 year rule. Japan itself has no such rule. Costs beyond the purchase price include Japanese fees, inland transport, shipping, insurance, import duty and taxes and local compliance, which the price panel on this page helps you estimate.
Why Import Through Autoselecta
Autoselecta gives buyers direct access to Japanese auctions with full auction sheet transparency. We source vehicles, help with bidding, handle export paperwork, arrange shipping and support the import process, including arrival and import support in your own country. Where available, vehicle tracking is provided, and for the USA we can arrange shipment and a delivered quotation. We keep in touch throughout, so you know where your car is and what happens next. We do not promise unrealistic savings, only a clear, well explained route to a car you could not easily find at home. The auction sheet in this report was translated and checked by Autoselecta.
Browse This Week's Japanese Auctions
This Honda NSX is one of many cars listed for this week's Japanese auctions. Browse the current listings on autoselecta.com to compare other Japanese performance cars, classics and rarities, each with its photographs, auction sheet and grade. New cars are added throughout the week, so it is worth checking back before the bidding deadline.
Live Auction Search
Use the live auction search on autoselecta.com to find a specific model, chassis code, grade or budget. You can search by manufacturer, such as Honda, or by model, such as the NSX, and filter by year, mileage and auction grade. The search draws on current Japanese auction listings, so you can see cars as soon as they become available.
Auction Caution
Auction cars are inspected before sale, but they are still used vehicles. The auction sheet is an independent condition guide, not a mechanical warranty. Older performance cars like the NSX may need servicing, maintenance or refurbishment after purchase, particularly after a long period in storage.
Please note the important points for this car again. The ALB (anti lock brake) warning lamp is noted as on, and its cause is not stated. The odometer unit is not circled on the sheet, so the 6,921 reading is taken as kilometres from the feed and the speedometer. The service book, manuals, spare keys and number of keys are not confirmed. The storage line on the sheet is partly struck through, and the inspector records seat creases and scuffs, wheel scratches, a faint roof scratch and a small scratch on the rear bumper. The underbody and engine bay are not shown in the photographs. Please read the sheet carefully before bidding.
