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1996 Acura NSX-T 5-Speed Manual

This is a 1996 Acura NSX-T 5-Speed Manual with a clean Carfax that has been in the hands of the current custodian since 2005. A US-market car imported at that time, the six-digit odometer shows under 97,000 miles, not considered a high sum for this early supercar manufactured by Honda. The NSX was introduced for the 1991 model year to great acclaim. It brought Honda reliability to the supercar realm. With some developments over the years, the “T” in this car’s name denotes targa to indicate the removable hard roof panel – see our gallery, which includes photos of this mid-engined NSX-T with the roof both in place and stowed smartly in the dedicated spot aft of the cabin. A reminder that CCC does offer financing, please see our application here or contact us.

With a factory rating of 270 horsepower on offer from the 3.0 litre V6, the NSX achieved its lofty status not from turbocharging – deemed not linear enough by Honda engineers – nor supercharging, deemed too heavy, but by the combination of a high revving engine in Honda trademarked VTEC form and aluminum body panels to yield a curb weight barely over 3,000 lbs. That combination ensured zero-to-60 times in the 5-second range, still very respectable in modern times but exceptional at the time this NSX-T was manufactured in Japan, where it is known as a Honda NSX-T given that the premium Acura brand was marketed only in North America.

The car at hand is finished in Formula Red (Acura code R-77) over a black leather interior, one of 127 ‘96s in this colour combination. The owner is a keen Formula One fan, particularly of Ayrton Senna, so he has placed removable vinyl decals of the driver’s signature on select spots of the car. Senna was not only a driver for Honda but also was involved in the development and lore of the NSX, having owned three at last count. The enthusiast owner is also a member of the NSX Club of Canada, evidenced by certain photos in the gallery. Further enthusiast evidence is that he has not driven the car in rain, much less in the winter months. Since photo day, this car underwent a 12-hour detail at great expense so the new owner will be treated to a spotless car on pick-up day. Most recent maintenance was an oil change and new battery about 300 km ago. This occurred in 2021, the car has been stored indoors in climate-controlled conditions since (see the illuminated brake lights photo as well as reversing video for a glimpse at the private facility) and has been started regularly.

This car has been treated to other light modifications, including wheels upgraded to 18” up front and 19” in the rear, more to modern performance car standard than the factory 16” and 17” set-up, as well as angled twin exhaust exits on both sides below the rear valance. Y-rated Continental Extreme Contact DWS Tuned tires are fitted, 215/35 in front and 265/30 in the rear, installed in 2018 with 2016 and 2014 date codes. As part of his importation process in 2005, the owner had daytime running lights (DRLs) installed on the car to comply with Canadian legislation, this is the alteration noted on the importation decal in the driver’s door jamb. The DRLs are unrelated to the retractable pop-up headlights, which are photographed in our gallery in both the up and down positions. Another interesting light treatment is the centre brake light, a series of LEDs built into the rear spoiler – the NSX being one of the first cars to feature this set-up. We note minor scuffing on the front spoiler.

In the cabin, the red treatment on and between the seats may at first glance appear as embroidered but these are decals and easily removed should the new owner prefer. The door cards are black and feature draped leather centres. The clutch pedal has been changed to a perforated aluminum piece, while rubber covers for gas and brake pedals are not in place. Numbered in the door jamb, this car is NSX-T #000343 for the ’96 model year, same as the final six digits on the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). On purchase, the owner invested several thousand dollars in an upgraded sound system. The motorized head unit is by Clarion and shifts out for a large display, satellite radio receiver is built in with antennae at the centre rear-view mirror, there are two amplifiers in the rear storage compartment and a CD changer is controlled by a panel in the glove box.

Instrumentation includes a large 9000 RPM tachometer and 160 MPH speedometer, the tach shows a red line of 8000 RPM – high for most but reflective of the VTEC feature this engine boasts. These are flanked by smaller gauges for coolant temperature, oil pressure, fuel, and voltage. All gauges are white-on-black with orange-red needles. From the cockpit, they appear beyond the upgraded Momo steering wheel which does not house an airbag. The five-speed shifter is complemented by an upgraded alloy shift knob and leather boot. A tear in the shifter boot and wear on the driver’s seat outer bolster are shown in the gallery.

The 3.0L VTEC engine sends power to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transaxle equipped with a limited-slip differential. There is also a Traction Control System (TCS), which can be powered off with a button by the speedometer. With the 8000 RPM red line, it is safe to get to the maximum rated horsepower of 270 at 7100 RPM. Maximum torque is achieved at 5300 RPM. There are few performance modifications beyond the HKS air cleaner photographed in the gallery, and a performance exhaust audible in our driving videos. The unspoiled underside is photographed in our gallery.

This 1996 Acura NSX-T 5-Speed Manual is available with clean Carfax, Ontario UVIP (required by an Ontario buyer), two keys, Acura fitted car cover, Clifford remote fob from the owner’s representative in Burlington, On.

More videos and Photo Gallery appear below. 

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