Overview of the 1991 Honda NSX NA1
This is a May 1991 Honda NSX, chassis code E-NA1, offered at USS Tokyo as lot 65060 on 8 October 2026. It is a right hand drive coupe in Red, factory colour code R-77, with the 3.0 litre V6 and a five speed floor manual gearbox. The odometer on the auction sheet reads 61,243 km, approximately 38,055 miles. The car is graded 4.5 overall with an interior grade of B, and the sheet lists it under the Prestige car corner heading. The shaken (Japanese roadworthiness inspection) is shown as valid until 13 May 2028.
For anyone looking for a first year, Japanese market Honda NSX, this one has the right ingredients: manual gearbox, dealer import category, a service record book and a mileage that is modest for a car now past thirty years old. It also has honest flaws, and the sheet records them plainly, which we cover in full below.
The Drive Review
The NSX was built to prove that a supercar could be easy to live with, and the NA1 is the purest expression of that idea. The 3.0 litre C30A V6 sits behind the cabin and uses Honda's VTEC variable valve timing. Below the crossover it is smooth and tractable, and above it the engine pulls hard and sings to a redline of 8,000 rpm. The tachometer in the photographs is marked accordingly. It is a naturally aspirated engine that rewards revving, not one that relies on a wave of torque.
The aluminium monocoque body keeps the car light for its era, and Honda's chassis work, famously guided by input from Ayrton Senna, gives the NSX steering that is clear and a mid engined balance that is forgiving near the limit. The five speed manual has a short, precise shift and a clutch that is light by supercar standards. Visibility is excellent, the seating position is low and the cabin feels more like a fighter cockpit than a luxury coupe.
Against a modern sports car you get less power, no driver aids to speak of and far more feedback through the wheel and seat. That is exactly why enthusiasts want one. This example is fitted with aftermarket suspension according to the sales points on the sheet, so the ride and handling may differ from the factory set up. The make and specification of the parts are not confirmed.
Auction Details
The car runs at USS Tokyo as lot 65060 on 8 October 2026, Japan time. The auction start price is ¥12,000,000. The Autoselecta guide bidding range is £51,500 to £60,250. Five similar cars sold at Japanese auctions between £51,506 and £60,344, a range that includes other versions and conditions, and they are auction results, not Autoselecta sales. The guide is an estimated bidding range, not a guaranteed purchase price, and we cannot say the car will sell within it. The current minimum bid and landed cost are calculated live, so please refer to the price panel on this page.
All bids must be submitted before 9PM UK time the evening before auction. For this lot that means by 9pm UK time on Wednesday 7 October.
Vehicle Specifications
Manufacturer: Honda. Model: NSX, base grade, chassis code E-NA1, frame number NA1-1002365. First registration: May 1991 (Heisei 3). Body: two seat coupe, 443 cm long, 183 cm wide and 115 cm high. Engine: 3,000 cc petrol V6, mid mounted. Transmission: five speed manual. Drive: 2WD, which on the NSX means rear wheel drive. Steering: right hand drive. Exterior: Red, colour code R-77, with no colour change marked. Interior: black tone, with leather. Odometer: 61,243 km, approximately 38,055 miles. Registration plate: Chiba 303 chi 3824. Import category: dealer. The recycling deposit is ¥11,400. The inspection date is not given in the data.
Factory Features and Equipment
The sheet marks genuine alloy wheels, power windows and leather, and lists air conditioning, leather seats and cruise control among the sales points. The photographs show cruise control buttons on the steering wheel, a leather trimmed steering wheel, an audio unit in the centre stack and a gear lever with a leather gaiter. The sales points also list aftermarket suspension. A service record book is present. The new car maintenance handbook with warranty card is marked as none, and there is no spare key. Owner manuals are not confirmed on the sheet. Navigation and ETC are not shown on the sheet or in the photographs. A spare tyre symbol is drawn on the diagram, but whether a spare wheel is physically present is not confirmed.
Japanese Auction Report Translation
The auction sheet has been translated and checked by Autoselecta. The key lines are as follows. Grade 4.5, interior grade B. Prestige car corner. Transmission: five speed floor manual. Air conditioning present. Original colour red, colour code R-77. Interior colour black tone. Dealer import. Right hand drive. Two seats. Shaken expiry 13 May 2028. Odometer 61,243 km.
Sales points: five speed manual transmission, aftermarket suspension fitted, leather seats, cruise control. Points to note: service record book present, no spare key. New car maintenance handbook with warranty card: none.
Inspector's report, translated in full: steering wheel and seats scuffed. Cabin dirty and scratched. Headlining partly lifting. Wheels scratched. Scratches and dents in various places. The sheet records no engine, gearbox, clutch or leak comments, and no warning light or air conditioning faults. Rust, accident repair and replaced panels are not mentioned. This is not a mechanical inspection, so condition under the bonnet and underneath is not confirmed beyond what the sheet shows.
Damage Diagram and Body Condition
The diagram shows nine marks, all minor. At the front, the lens carries Y1, a small crack. The exact lens is not named, but it sits at the front of the drawing, and the photographs show the headlight and indicator units at the nose. The front bumper carries a rub scratch (marked スリ with A), and the front windscreen shows stone chips (marked トビ with A).
On the left side, the door has U1, a small dent. The door or sill area has A1, a small scratch, although the exact position is approximate from the drawing. The left rear quarter panel has U1, a small dent. On the right side, the door has U1, a small dent, and the right rear quarter panel has U1, a small dent. At the rear, the bumper has A1, a small scratch.
No panel repair, repaint, rust or corrosion marks appear on the diagram. In the photographs the red paint looks bright and fairly even, and protective film is taped over the left side window. Overall this is usable enthusiast condition with light cosmetic wear, better than average for the age, but not a concours example. The small dents are the sort of thing a good paintless dent specialist may deal with, and the cracked lens and chipped screen are straightforward to rectify.
Interior Condition
The interior grade is B. The black leather seats and leather steering wheel show visible creasing in the photographs, and the sheet confirms the steering wheel and seats are scuffed. The cabin is described as dirty and scratched, and the headlining is partly lifting, a known age related complaint on early NSX models. The dashboard, centre console and gear lever area look intact in the photographs, and the shift knob and gaiter appear tidy. The cluster photograph shows the tachometer, speedometer and gauges, but the mileage display is not legible, so we rely on the sheet reading of 61,243 km. A cabin valet and some trim attention would improve the car considerably.
Japanese Auction Grades
Japanese auction grades run from 1 to 5, with 4.5 sitting at the upper end for a car of this age. It indicates a clean body with only light blemishes, and no major repair noted. The interior grade of B means the cabin shows normal wear for its age, which matches the scuffing and lifting headlining the inspector describes.
Model History of the Honda NSX
Honda launched the NSX in 1990 as a rival to the Ferrari 328 and later 348. It was the first series production car with an all aluminium monocoque, and it carried Honda's pioneering VTEC V6 with a naturally aspirated 3.0 litre capacity. The car was sold in Japan as a Honda, and elsewhere as an Acura, and the NA1 chassis code covers the first generation with the 3.0 litre engine. Later updates introduced the 3.2 litre C32B engine with a six speed gearbox, the NA2, along with the Type R and the Targa top models. This car, from May 1991, is an early production NA1 with the five speed manual.
Why This Model Has Become Collectible
The NSX combines everything collectors prize: a naturally aspirated high revving engine, a manual gearbox, an aluminium chassis shaped with input from a Formula One champion and a reputation for outstanding reliability among supercars. Early cars are at the start of the story, and a Japanese market right hand drive car with a service record and under 62,000 km is increasingly hard to find. The NSX is also now eligible for import into the USA, which adds to global demand. We cannot guarantee future values and this is not presented as an investment, but good low mileage examples have drawn steady interest.
What To Look For When Buying This Honda NSX
Aluminium bodywork is costly to repair, so check carefully for evidence of poor repairs. The sheet shows no panel work, but the dents on both doors and rear quarters deserve inspection in person or through detailed photographs. Ask for proof of the cambelt and water pump service, as the C30A V6 uses a belt and the interval matters. Check the VTEC changeover is smooth and the oil level and condition are good. The clutch should be checked for slip and judder, and the gearbox should shift cleanly into each gear, including a smooth engagement into second when cold.
This car has aftermarket suspension, so ask what has been fitted, whether it is in good order and whether the standard parts are included. The lifting headlining will need re gluing or re covering, and scratched wheels are worth refurbishing. Early NSX cars suffer from perished rubber seals and tired window mechanisms, so test every power window. With only a service record book and no spare key or new car handbook, plan for a key duplication and a thorough fluid service on arrival.
Why Import This Car From Japan
Japan is where the best NSX cars are found, with dealer serviced histories, low mileage and cars kept in dry garages and stored indoors. Buying directly at auction gives you a full inspection sheet for a car like this one, with transparent grading and condition notes.
USA Import Information
This 1991 NSX is more than 25 years old, so it is eligible for import into the United States. Autoselecta can arrange shipment from Japan to the United States. Please contact us 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 your state and the port of arrival.
Ultimate Guide For Japanese Imports
A Japanese import begins with the auction sheet, then a bid, then export paperwork, shipping and local registration in your own country. Check your national rules on age, emissions and right hand drive before bidding, as these vary widely and decide how straightforward registration will be.
Why Import Through Autoselecta
Autoselecta gives you direct access to Japanese auctions, translated auction sheets, vehicle sourcing and bidding assistance. We handle export, shipping and import support, with vehicle tracking where available, plus arrival support in your own country and USA shipping for eligible cars. We keep in contact throughout the process.
Browse This Week's Japanese Auctions
This NSX is one of many performance and classic cars listed each week from USS Tokyo and other major auction houses. Browse the current listings to compare other Honda sports cars and rivals from the same period.
Live Auction Search
Use our live auction search to look for other NSX cars, filter by grade, mileage or colour and set up the model you want. Contact the team if you would like help finding a specific specification.
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. A car of this age may need servicing, maintenance or refurbishment after purchase. Please note the inspector's warnings again: steering wheel and seats scuffed, cabin dirty and scratched, headlining partly lifting, wheels scratched, scratches and dents in various places, a small crack in the front lens, stone chips in the windscreen, aftermarket suspension, no spare key and no new car handbook.
