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2021 05 16 CCC Featured External Listing - 1991 Acura NSX 5-speed manual - Collector Car Canada
2021 05 16 CCC Featured External Listing – 1991 Acura NSX 5-speed manual

2021 05 16 CCC Featured External Listing

1991 Acura NSX 5-speed manual

The Acura NSX when released was as much an announcement as a new car release.  The Japanese carmakers had already made their presence felt to their North American competitors during the oil crisis by selling small cars that were miles ahead the Detroit Three’s new model releases, both from a reliability and fuel economy point of view.  The Europeans had also started to notice as Lexus and Acura were stealing BMW’s and Mercedes’s lunch.  Now, the Japanese invasion extended to supercars.  The NSX was engineered to compete with the likes of Porsche, Ferrari, even Lamborghini, at a fraction of the price.  Base price for the 1991 NSX was $79,800 CAD while one of the production breakthroughs was an all-aluminum body, complemented by an all-aluminum engine – these saved on both fuel and weight, the latter leading to better performance than otherwise.

CCC Vital Info

Odometer – 138,000 km
Engine Info – 3.0L V6 mounted mid-ship
Transmission Info – 5-speed manual
Exterior Colour – Silver
Interior Colour – Black leather
Other features – Power group, Factory “double-staggered” wheels
Seller – Private
Category – Japanese
Model page
Note – For CCC live auctions, this space will also include:
VIN
a map link to seller location
a link to a Carfax report and
a lot number

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The original NSX was powered by a Honda-badged 3.0 litre V6 mounted mid-ship.  Purists rejoice:  each NSX produced in the first model year sported a five-speed manual transmissions through which to roll through the gears.  Other mechanical highlights include Honda’s VTEC variable valve timing, and the interior is inspired by an F16 fighter jet.  The latter is plausible when considering the concise and intuitive layout of the interior controls.

This first-year example in silver is a nice change from the ubiquitous, relatively speaking, red and black.  The original NSX looks good in any colour but the silver makes this one unique.  Also making it unique is the seller’s claim that it is all original.  He also mentions that he has changed many bulbs to LEDs, which are not original.  But we will let it slide given that the originals are included. 

A common upgrade for the early NSXs is wheels and that is likely because the front wheel diameter was 15 inches.  This car sports the original “double-staggered” five spokes 15” up front – hard to believe today – and 16s out back.  Seller mentions that he has the later TE37 wheels as an option at extra cost, 16” front and 17 in the rear.

This unit has rolled 138,000 km and Honda reliability would imply that this is nothing to worry about, it is just a question of maintenance.  Perform your own due diligence!  It is a key job, but the only specific maintenance mentioned in the ad is a timing belt/water pump service in 2018.  There is also mention of a few minor items being addressed after an inspection performed by an Acura dealership but discriminating buyers will want more details than this, ideally service records.

The car boasted 270 horsepower when it rolled off the line in Japan.  We note the seller’s personalized Alberta plate “LOWNSLW”.  Let’s just say we believe half of it!

A review of the ad’s photos really does support the claim of originality by the seller.  Details we spot include the LED spoiler-width centre brake light (a.k.a. CHSML), oval dual exhaust tips, “baseball-stitched” leather-wrapped shift knob and very tidy midship engine bay.  We would be tempted to remove the decals on the dash, though.  As well, one thing we would be curious to see is the operation of the pop-up headlights, because every photo shows them in the “on” position.

​Find this Acura NSX for $95,000 CAD in Edmonton on Facebook Marketplace.  Special thanks to original CCC member Don for suggesting this external listing.

Please share your comments below, be they on the topic of this car, its competitors – Japanese and around the globe, Honda performance as a whole, or some of your other favourites who are rivals.

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