- Joined
- 25 February 2012
- Messages
- 2,165
Click each picture for full size.
A few months ago, I submitted a story for "My Historic Acura" through Acura's facebook page, and was delighted when the email arrived saying that my story had been chosen and I was invited to tour Acura's private collection in Southern California. Perfect excuse for a road trip...
First order of business: mounting up my new license plate!
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FVQo5hAGl.jpg&hash=6403072304970f65467f2e382d0a2ad9)
Now, my car lives at mom's house for the time being (much cheaper to insure it there - way less theft in her ZIP code...) which means it gets quite dusty and does not get driven. So, before I could leave for my big trip I had to ask mom for her keys so that I could jump my car from hers...
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fgi6j8YXl.jpg&hash=3b477cce4f27e75548c3302fe9eec3e9)
Also unpacked and mounted up my brand new V1! Also visible is the GPS puck that allows the police scanner to retune itself automagically as I drive along...
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FJHIXB6ol.jpg&hash=bf412a7b73a88d233b280ca18c35d7f2)
Did not get any pics en route, unfortunately, seeing as I was alone and concerned with getting there quite quickly...
First stop in SoCal was dinner at Amalfi's... rolled in at 10:38pm, the valet parked me out front, and I scarfed down some pumpkin ravioli before the kitchen closed at 11.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FXKnlpRDl.jpg&hash=576ba01eeea9565e6f3617f23616eb88)
Those of you who are familiar with Adam Carolla know that this is his restaurant, and as such they serve his signature drink, Mangria. It's sangria, for men.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FnpoKlhTl.jpg&hash=849221be372dfdbaf9855f09b143c9da)
Checked into my hotel and SLEPT.
Next morning, I went out to the parking lot and found a PHOEN$X! He had arrived at 1am, about 1.5 hours after I did.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FNjOIp3Sl.jpg&hash=eb6191deb06c27ba40003137a68bd852)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FQADJDdel.jpg&hash=19554360927fc32563b76ff179a14bc6)
A quick breakfast and we were off to the collection site!
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FrnZLTGKl.jpg&hash=44cd148e44d13d54e6f685b9ca225311)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FYT3m7rSl.jpg&hash=c22beb5cb11776f778a4324f19e86c75)
Mr. Honda himself wrote, "Dream"
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FImbD8ORl.jpg&hash=f8f1a64d45b302be68c18b3fec5fb6e2)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FHhqoueHl.jpg&hash=9bb9141f2310dfe102cfbd14d936fa00)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FzBdXj6Fl.jpg&hash=e79d3bbca9a066e812ab2545a104e0f7)
This is the car that MotorTrend borrowed for their Head2Head video against the Lexus LFA. It has 82k miles on it, totally stock and runs perfectly. It was purchased from a private owner and lives in the collection when not being abused by automotive journalists. They expect to use it a lot in promotion for the new NSX.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FWGRCoCFl.jpg&hash=b4bfdb7024c299c8032b8cbf09321db9)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F3isueNZl.jpg&hash=54164310ecba680fbfab24f5781dc134)
Zanardi C32
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FVJ3WNvhl.jpg&hash=bd925f999cdbeb4f719074d29446f2aa)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FMgvwTWhl.jpg&hash=2621dbd13040b52e79823f5e99bb0653)
RTR race car
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FYSS7pYNl.jpg&hash=7151fcd064054804997d4dccba01619d)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FwcBsSDCl.jpg&hash=25c6468e748bce8c0937564ef8700518)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FR0NbzMvl.jpg&hash=af184861c13b3f58d78dc456d6efd144)
Their other NSX, an 05 Red/Tan with 78 (yes, 78, not 78k) miles on it. Purchased direct from the factory as a promo car.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FwTciXWPl.jpg&hash=58f90cd289bab04b38be445a84eee10f)
Yellow ITR with 3900 miles on it. Purchased direct from the factory.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FN0MVHptl.jpg&hash=180322639f129e8d76937ed21adf035e)
Lots of other historic Hondas and Acuras.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FbOoCtkgl.jpg&hash=f18e3943e7f039533b25a4d18116527f)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FZMxHFPJl.jpg&hash=fb3c185ec4a1603702b5912864e96f8d)
Our awesome tour guide, Dave. He is the curator of the collection and has worked at American Honda for 29 years, now serving as VP of something marketing-related (I forgot exactly what it was)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FeBbgSgsl.jpg&hash=dfded1c7cfade339af5d784799b20412)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FdRgJvnZl.jpg&hash=c69a50d188108f5567505cc1d8ac193c)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FdMYJBcJl.jpg&hash=7a3164f555ba9ec8441ab8fd432406d1)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FT1IVdKvl.jpg&hash=a539b2e86e21310182e3688ea3c60930)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FNZgL8nhl.jpg&hash=b4500f90e5c65a3540dfcb6eaad53eb5)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FCAn0wgJl.jpg&hash=408535783ac88c6adbe8e84274dece17)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FG3vNWSel.jpg&hash=53f6111f0f80c51313e3f7704bcbcbc6)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FVKHUN3xl.jpg&hash=1ed514998d06a56958ce5e50946ad403)
The first-ever Civic Si!
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FkYERHonl.jpg&hash=aa493b2245b8a31120ff69d56f9cb9f7)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F7V08DfFl.jpg&hash=b4da68b093bd12187304d476bc777ae2)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F0uuiEz6l.jpg&hash=72d2e76ebc2645a683efd8d2657a4150)
The Honda 50 bike
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FuHMjhAWl.jpg&hash=88dd97650c57b805172467c9ed327115)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F7d09eKVl.jpg&hash=4ee2a3498cd53bf5697c382a21bc9161)
What a great poster. Wish I could get this one for my garage:
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FMljPdLpl.jpg&hash=afaafba65cd67073e7db8ee1fecb509a)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FvPFpPV0l.jpg&hash=052a478fbb4a01c6658bb15db62fce74)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FnXwX5lVl.jpg&hash=02e3dac4539ed564c547b4ce82cba4a6)
A Honda employee-build and owned race car based on an old Civic.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FceBVsUbl.jpg&hash=af77edc490a789582ce6bdcf35faf838)
A recently-victorious Acura race car:
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FEoFHxdql.jpg&hash=fd95d4e570cd1ccf3d7a506f0a4d726d)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FXANubRDl.jpg&hash=ff00c4e11d4096400de92a08d8a69ef8)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FVek7ZlVl.jpg&hash=d191a6376da42284572e5d2b713b83c0)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F7UGjVYzl.jpg&hash=039d8b7bba8413bda152e47910752775)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FZwnRC9Tl.jpg&hash=8b199925cb71ea8bec64816b3c777c9f)
FCX Clarity
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F9Ng6DGxl.jpg&hash=08937d10d48c3682990494348608b237)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F0zwQBShl.jpg&hash=09a4f639923cc95b6261619bc3528f32)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F8VJCwxal.jpg&hash=b2d0aa31ae6654bfb8f72803fe755d44)
Telling the story of the introduction of the iconic Acura logo at the same time as the NSX in 1990. Turns out the NSX was almost named the Acura Bruno - can you imagine? It was an attempt to emulate the very dramatic Italian-sounding names used by Ferrari, etc. However, the NS-X lettering on the prototypes that were running around the car show circuit was so popular that the name stuck.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FiaMnyRyl.jpg&hash=0c6a40e2b648582a5a82b83e5b528c7a)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FA8N7Qhul.jpg&hash=f7621aef1768e0a7cd8d31d4830f3212)
MORE coming...
A few months ago, I submitted a story for "My Historic Acura" through Acura's facebook page, and was delighted when the email arrived saying that my story had been chosen and I was invited to tour Acura's private collection in Southern California. Perfect excuse for a road trip...
First order of business: mounting up my new license plate!
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FVQo5hAGl.jpg&hash=6403072304970f65467f2e382d0a2ad9)
Now, my car lives at mom's house for the time being (much cheaper to insure it there - way less theft in her ZIP code...) which means it gets quite dusty and does not get driven. So, before I could leave for my big trip I had to ask mom for her keys so that I could jump my car from hers...
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fgi6j8YXl.jpg&hash=3b477cce4f27e75548c3302fe9eec3e9)
Also unpacked and mounted up my brand new V1! Also visible is the GPS puck that allows the police scanner to retune itself automagically as I drive along...
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FJHIXB6ol.jpg&hash=bf412a7b73a88d233b280ca18c35d7f2)
Did not get any pics en route, unfortunately, seeing as I was alone and concerned with getting there quite quickly...
First stop in SoCal was dinner at Amalfi's... rolled in at 10:38pm, the valet parked me out front, and I scarfed down some pumpkin ravioli before the kitchen closed at 11.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FXKnlpRDl.jpg&hash=576ba01eeea9565e6f3617f23616eb88)
Those of you who are familiar with Adam Carolla know that this is his restaurant, and as such they serve his signature drink, Mangria. It's sangria, for men.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FnpoKlhTl.jpg&hash=849221be372dfdbaf9855f09b143c9da)
Checked into my hotel and SLEPT.
Next morning, I went out to the parking lot and found a PHOEN$X! He had arrived at 1am, about 1.5 hours after I did.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FNjOIp3Sl.jpg&hash=eb6191deb06c27ba40003137a68bd852)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FQADJDdel.jpg&hash=19554360927fc32563b76ff179a14bc6)
A quick breakfast and we were off to the collection site!
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FrnZLTGKl.jpg&hash=44cd148e44d13d54e6f685b9ca225311)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FYT3m7rSl.jpg&hash=c22beb5cb11776f778a4324f19e86c75)
Mr. Honda himself wrote, "Dream"
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FImbD8ORl.jpg&hash=f8f1a64d45b302be68c18b3fec5fb6e2)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FHhqoueHl.jpg&hash=9bb9141f2310dfe102cfbd14d936fa00)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FzBdXj6Fl.jpg&hash=e79d3bbca9a066e812ab2545a104e0f7)
This is the car that MotorTrend borrowed for their Head2Head video against the Lexus LFA. It has 82k miles on it, totally stock and runs perfectly. It was purchased from a private owner and lives in the collection when not being abused by automotive journalists. They expect to use it a lot in promotion for the new NSX.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FWGRCoCFl.jpg&hash=b4bfdb7024c299c8032b8cbf09321db9)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F3isueNZl.jpg&hash=54164310ecba680fbfab24f5781dc134)
Zanardi C32
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FVJ3WNvhl.jpg&hash=bd925f999cdbeb4f719074d29446f2aa)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FMgvwTWhl.jpg&hash=2621dbd13040b52e79823f5e99bb0653)
RTR race car
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FYSS7pYNl.jpg&hash=7151fcd064054804997d4dccba01619d)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FwcBsSDCl.jpg&hash=25c6468e748bce8c0937564ef8700518)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FR0NbzMvl.jpg&hash=af184861c13b3f58d78dc456d6efd144)
Their other NSX, an 05 Red/Tan with 78 (yes, 78, not 78k) miles on it. Purchased direct from the factory as a promo car.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FwTciXWPl.jpg&hash=58f90cd289bab04b38be445a84eee10f)
Yellow ITR with 3900 miles on it. Purchased direct from the factory.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FN0MVHptl.jpg&hash=180322639f129e8d76937ed21adf035e)
Lots of other historic Hondas and Acuras.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FbOoCtkgl.jpg&hash=f18e3943e7f039533b25a4d18116527f)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FZMxHFPJl.jpg&hash=fb3c185ec4a1603702b5912864e96f8d)
Our awesome tour guide, Dave. He is the curator of the collection and has worked at American Honda for 29 years, now serving as VP of something marketing-related (I forgot exactly what it was)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FeBbgSgsl.jpg&hash=dfded1c7cfade339af5d784799b20412)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FdRgJvnZl.jpg&hash=c69a50d188108f5567505cc1d8ac193c)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FdMYJBcJl.jpg&hash=7a3164f555ba9ec8441ab8fd432406d1)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FT1IVdKvl.jpg&hash=a539b2e86e21310182e3688ea3c60930)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FNZgL8nhl.jpg&hash=b4500f90e5c65a3540dfcb6eaad53eb5)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FCAn0wgJl.jpg&hash=408535783ac88c6adbe8e84274dece17)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FG3vNWSel.jpg&hash=53f6111f0f80c51313e3f7704bcbcbc6)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FVKHUN3xl.jpg&hash=1ed514998d06a56958ce5e50946ad403)
The first-ever Civic Si!
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FkYERHonl.jpg&hash=aa493b2245b8a31120ff69d56f9cb9f7)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F7V08DfFl.jpg&hash=b4da68b093bd12187304d476bc777ae2)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F0uuiEz6l.jpg&hash=72d2e76ebc2645a683efd8d2657a4150)
The Honda 50 bike
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FuHMjhAWl.jpg&hash=88dd97650c57b805172467c9ed327115)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F7d09eKVl.jpg&hash=4ee2a3498cd53bf5697c382a21bc9161)
What a great poster. Wish I could get this one for my garage:
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FMljPdLpl.jpg&hash=afaafba65cd67073e7db8ee1fecb509a)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FvPFpPV0l.jpg&hash=052a478fbb4a01c6658bb15db62fce74)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FnXwX5lVl.jpg&hash=02e3dac4539ed564c547b4ce82cba4a6)
A Honda employee-build and owned race car based on an old Civic.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FceBVsUbl.jpg&hash=af77edc490a789582ce6bdcf35faf838)
A recently-victorious Acura race car:
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FEoFHxdql.jpg&hash=fd95d4e570cd1ccf3d7a506f0a4d726d)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FXANubRDl.jpg&hash=ff00c4e11d4096400de92a08d8a69ef8)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FVek7ZlVl.jpg&hash=d191a6376da42284572e5d2b713b83c0)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F7UGjVYzl.jpg&hash=039d8b7bba8413bda152e47910752775)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FZwnRC9Tl.jpg&hash=8b199925cb71ea8bec64816b3c777c9f)
FCX Clarity
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F9Ng6DGxl.jpg&hash=08937d10d48c3682990494348608b237)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F0zwQBShl.jpg&hash=09a4f639923cc95b6261619bc3528f32)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F8VJCwxal.jpg&hash=b2d0aa31ae6654bfb8f72803fe755d44)
Telling the story of the introduction of the iconic Acura logo at the same time as the NSX in 1990. Turns out the NSX was almost named the Acura Bruno - can you imagine? It was an attempt to emulate the very dramatic Italian-sounding names used by Ferrari, etc. However, the NS-X lettering on the prototypes that were running around the car show circuit was so popular that the name stuck.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FiaMnyRyl.jpg&hash=0c6a40e2b648582a5a82b83e5b528c7a)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FA8N7Qhul.jpg&hash=f7621aef1768e0a7cd8d31d4830f3212)
MORE coming...
Last edited: