Official birthdate of the NSX?

[goldNSX]

Dumb question but what is the birthdate of the NSX, the first test driving or the first sell? There have been rumors about the 20th birthday party for the NSX. This could already be next years depending on the interpretation of the birthdate.

Of course, I will try to postpone everything to attend this event. :wink:

 

[nsxtasy]

I don't know exact dates, but I believe the first prototype was shown at the Chicago Auto Show in February 1989 (I could be wrong). I know that the first cars were sold at the end of summer 1990, some time around September 1, 1990.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

I know that the first cars were sold at the end of summer 1990, some time around September 1, 1990.

Which would make the 20th Anniversary 2010.

 

[NSXrunner]

Sounds like the 2010 NSXPO event to think about. 20th Anniversary...wonder if we can bribe (kidnap) :wink: anyone from Honda F1 to show up. :biggrin:

 

[goldNSX]

2010 NSXPO

No offense but I'm thinking more of joining the NSX Fiesta event in Japan. :wink:

Found some more info here: http://world.honda.com/NSX/history/
2010 then.

 

[White92]

Wouldn't the birthdate be the date it went on sale? That's the date I would use.

 

[DrVolkl]

'00
Recognized by Japanese government as Excellent Low-Emissions Vehicle

Driving festival held at Takasu proving grounds to celebrate the NSX's tenth anniversary Declared champion of the Japan GT Championship

So, 2010 would make sense, no?

 

[silverNEEK]

My old 1991 NSX had a born on date 7/1990.

 

[NSXAMG996TT]

So where's #001 born in 1990? That's the oldest NSX.

 

[silverNEEK]

So where's #001 born in 1990? That's the oldest NSX.

No such thing as #001 on the road. The first production NSX was MT000063. My 1991 was VIN MT000098 making it the 36th NSX.

The question I have is are we saying the birthdate is the first prototype, first running prototype or first production.....?

Here's some info from an old thread, not fully confirmed but good info:

• 003 and 005 were for photos only. They had a different engine and no hatch or partition glass so the interior could be photographed.
  
• If you look in the original sales brochure (the aluminum and black book), it shows interior shots of a car, including the side sill with MT000005. The switchgear and some other things in the interior are very crude (pre-production).
  
• MT000001 may or may not exist and possibly parked in the lobby of the NSX factory.
  
• RealTime Racing guys several years ago seemed to think that they had # 4 and # 7 as their racecars.

**Looks like MT000088 was just recently sold HERE

 

[NSXAMG996TT]

Very interesting NSX facts. +1

 

[Big_D]

Dang, SilverNeek beat me too it...ha ha "Actually, The first 1991 NSX available for sale in the USA had serial number 0063; all lower numbers were pre-production prototypes."

Mine is the 2200th nsx. That is why it is so trouble free...they got all the bugs worked out by then.

 

[davidf]

Wow, I guess this means they were developing it early to mid 80's possibly? Surely it takes some time to develop all the parts and body molds.

 

[White92]

Wow, I guess this means they were developing it early to mid 80's possibly? Surely it takes some time to develop all the parts and body molds.

No, you're thinking of when they started developing the NSX replacement. :biggrin: Honda does not work quickly.

 

[goldNSX]

Confusing enough that a german member (whose English skills are doubtful ) spoke to the Japanese people at the Nürburgring last weekend and he told us that they invited us to join their 20th NSX birthday party NEXT YEAR. Even more confusing: Mr. Zucker, president of www.nsx.ch organises an event in Le Mans in august this year where US and Japanese owners will attend to prepare the 20th birthday pary in 2009.

My opinion on this: If the first cars have been delivered in 1990 the NSX will have his 20th birthday in 2010. If the Japanese are celebrating it next year I'll go to Japan next year also. What about doing two parties, one in 2009 and one in 2010. :tongue:

 

[NSX PTY]

"Actually, The first 1991 NSX available for sale in the USA had serial number 0063; all lower numbers were pre-production prototypes."

What about first NSX available for sale in JAPAN ?, i guess first NSX must has been JDM spec.

for me, Official birthdate should be the Production date of the first NSX built for sale (no prototypes)

... just a thought

 

[Sarge]

Wow, I guess this means they were developing it early to mid 80's possibly? Surely it takes some time to develop all the parts and body molds.

When you watch the NSX intro video here on prime. It is mentioned that 8 years of R&D went into the car. That means someone was putting their pencil to paper for the Idea of the NSX somewhere around 1982. How old were you then? :biggrin:

 

[DrVolkl]

Again, if they celebrated the 10th anniversary in 2000, you would think the 20th anniversary party would be 2010.

Read the link.

 

[BD]

The first production NSX was built on June 14th 1990. The first official date was August 30th, 1990 (the date Tochigi plant officially opened).

Between 6/14/1990 and 8/30/1990, 720 or so NSXs were made for the JDM domestic market (that is why you see 1990 model year NSX for sell in Japan). The USDM car was available the following month in September of 1990.

 

[MAJOR STONER]

February 1989 - Acura unveils a new high-performance, mid-engine sportscar. The NS-X world debut takes place at the Chicago Auto Show on February 9th. "New Sportscar eXperimental" is the first supercar from Japan.

June 1989 - A select group of American automotive journalists are invited to Japan to test drive two prototypes of the exotic NSX, more than a year before its scheduled on-sale date. The exclusive trip is so far in advance that engine specifications are still tentative.

August 1990 - NSX goes on sale as a 1991 model, the first production car with an all-aluminum chassis and body. The aluminum unit body weighs only 462 pounds, 40% less than steel, with the equivalent strength.

source/more info:
http://www.hondanews.com/search/release/2653?q=supercar&s=acura

 

[nsxtasy]

The first production NSX was built on June 14th 1990. The first official date was August 30th, 1990 (the date Tochigi plant officially opened).

Huh? Then where were the ones built prior to August 30 built?

Between 6/14/1990 and 8/30/1990, 720 or so NSXs were made for the JDM domestic market (that is why you see 1990 model year NSX for sell in Japan).

Not true and not true. During that period (early summer 1990), the first of the NSXs that were sold in the States starting around September 1 were built. And the reason that you see 1990 model year NSXs in Japan is that, for cars sold in Japan, unlike in the United States, they don't designate a model year a year in advance (for example, a 1991 model year NSX can be sold in the United States in 1990, but if a car is sold in Japan in 1990, it is a 1990 model year car).

 

[BD]

The source came from the NSX book by Brian Long.

I'll try to remember to bring my book to work, scan it, and post the page.

Huh? Then where were the ones built prior to August 30 built?

Not true and not true. During that period (early summer 1990), the first of the NSXs that were sold in the States starting around September 1 were built. And the reason that you see 1990 model year NSXs in Japan is that, for cars sold in Japan, unlike in the United States, they don't designate a model year a year in advance (for example, a 1991 model year NSX can be sold in the United States in 1990, but if a car is sold in Japan in 1990, it is a 1990 model year car).

So what you're saying is, all the NSXs sold in the US starting September 1st were made the day before? About 500 of them (one for each dealer)?

The information from the book make sense. Production started in June of 1990, put on a ship and a month journey, put on the train/trucks and spread all over the US. Ready at the dealership for September release date. Make quite a bit of sense to me.

 

[DubaiRich]

Wow, I guess this means they were developing it early to mid 80's possibly? Surely it takes some time to develop all the parts and body molds.

No wonder they still have cassette players!!!

 

[Jetpilot3]

No wonder they still have cassette players!!!

Oh yeah boi....I can't wait to get my 2002 NSX and rock out to my A-HA cassettes. "Take On Me....take it on me.....I'll be gone......" :biggrin:

 

[BD]

They built a MR CRX in 1984 as a test subject for the NSX.