Chassis No. NA1-1100077

Engine No. C30A1040075

The Honda NSX wasted no time in establishing itself as the benchmark in the mid-engine sports car segment upon its release in 1990. Its blend of performance and practicality garnered widespread acclaim, with Car and Driver calling it in their test, "the most precise and attuned mid-engined machine we've ever driven." However, some enthusiasts, particularly in Honda's home market of Japan, desired a more performance-focused version of the NSX. These customers envisioned a model that prioritized on-track performance over daily driving comfort, drawing inspiration from specialized, lightweight sports cars like Porsche's Carrera RS.

These enthusiasts would only have to wait another two years before the NSX-R graced Japanese shores – a lightweight variant only available as a coupe, optimized for performance at the expense of creature comforts. Out went the air conditioning, air bags, radio, spare tire, traction control, and sound deadening, leaving little separation between the driver and the wailing V6. Further weight-reduction efforts brought carbon-kevlar Recaro bucket seats and lighter alloy Enkei wheels, shedding 120 kilograms in total. What it lost in amenities it gained in mechanical upgrades, with the NSX-R boasting a specially-prepared engine with a blueprinted and balanced crankshaft – thought to produce 290 horsepower but rated at the same 276 horsepower as the standard NSX of that era, due to the famous gentleman's agreement among Japanese manufacturers to limit the advertised horsepower of their performance models to 280 PS (276 horsepower). Giving the NSX-R its razor-sharp cornering abilities were stiffer springs and dampers, a larger diameter front sway bar, and a locking limited-slip differential. All this turned the user-friendly NSX into a raw, aggressive racer – one that was at the pinnacle of Japanese track-ready performance.
Just 483 examples of the laser-focused, right-hand drive NSX-R are understood to have been built exclusively for the Japanese domestic market, distinguishable by their unique ten-digit chassis number sequence. Chassis number NA1-1100077 – serialized R-0073 – is one such example, finished in the only available color of Championship White complemented by color-matched 16-inch front and 17-inch rear seven-spoke Enkei wheels. Red-backed Honda badges serve as the only hint of the sweeping mechanical improvements that lay beneath; otherwise, the NSX-R is a true wolf in sheep's clothing. Stepping into the right-hand driver's position, the vibrant red Alcantara upholstery lining the Recaro bucket seats immediately gives the NSX-R a distinctive, sporting appearance over its standard counterpart. This particular car is also desirably appointed with air conditioning and a stereo which could be optioned at the factory for an additional cost, suggesting the original owner sought a more daily-usable NSX-R. Other original details adorning the interior are its Alcantara-lined door panels and dashboard with contrasting red stitching, three-spoke non-airbag MOMO steering wheel, and titanium shift knob.
Chassis 1100077 was sold new via Honda Chiba, Japan, just north of Tokyo. The car is accompanied by its original owner's manual and meticulously notated service book, which is stamped with the information of its first and only Japanese owner dated 2 February 1993. The service history is remarkably comprehensive, documenting regular maintenance including 6, 12, and 24-month inspections, as well as consistent mileage recordings throughout its life. The most recent recorded Honda service was performed in April 2023, followed by additional servicing at Toprank Importers later that same year. This work included replacing the, battery, spark plugs, wiper blades, air cleaner, fuel filter, and radiator cap, as well as a full fluids change. In addition to its regular servicing, the car has undergone Japan's biannual inspections (MOT), with the most recent carried out in 2023.

Imported to the United States under new ownership in 2023, this highly original example of a rare Japanese-market-only performance model shows just 38,306 kilometers, or approximately 23,800 miles, on the odometer at the time of cataloging. The car retains all of its correct and intact factory markings and is accompanied by its proper owner's manual and service book in Japanese. The car also comes complete with two original spare keys, as well as the valet key, and a rare NSX-R tire brush kit. One of the most exclusive variants to be born out of the 1990s performance car development war which embroiled all the major Japanese manufacturers, this Honda NSX-R would make a fine addition to any collection of rare JDM performance icons. Its long-term common Japanese ownership, comprehensive documentation, and meticulous maintenance records make it an especially desirable example of this already rare and sought-after model.