Rare Car Archive

Makes › Honda Japan › NSX-R › NSX-R / NSX Type R (NA1) · Rare specification · 1992–1996 Very Rare

Honda
NSX-R / NSX Type R (NA1)

Japan-only lightweight Type R version of the NA1 NSX (substantial weight saving, balanced and blueprinted C30A engine). Standard NSX is NOT the candidate.

Honda NSX-R / NSX Type R (NA1) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Honda NSX-R / NSX Type R (NA1) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0
483BuiltIndependently researched
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
483 Built
Years
1992–1996
Engine
DOHC 24-valve V6 · 3,000 cc / 3 LFactory: 3 L
Power
201 kW / 274 PSFactory: 270 hp · converted
Top speed
262 km/hFactory: 163 mph · converted
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The first NSX Type R was Honda's track-focused, Japan-only version of the NA1 NSX and the first Honda to wear the Type R name on a car of this kind. Stripped of comfort equipment and fitted with a blueprinted engine and stiffer suspension, it is considered the most sought-after first-generation NSX; roughly 480–500 were made.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityNot yet assessed
Specification rarityVery Rare 483 · Built1
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Factory package productionNSX-R built 1992–1996 per RM Sotheby's (Honda's own Type R timeline says 'just 500 were sold') 4831 Factory production Independently researched

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Built exclusively for the Japanese market, the NSX-R removed sound deadening, audio, air conditioning, traction control and the spare wheel, saving well over 200 lb. It gained Recaro racing seats, forged Enkei wheels, extra aluminium bracing, a stiffer front anti-roll bar with revised bushings, springs and dampers, a blueprinted and balanced crankshaft assembly, a revised final drive and a higher-locking limited-slip differential. It was offered only in Championship White.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard NSX-R / NSX Type R (NA1).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutDOHC 24-valve V62
Displacement 3,000 cc / 3 LFactory: 3 L2
Bore 90 mmFactory: 90 mm3 Independently researched
Stroke 78 mmFactory: 78 mm3 Independently researched
Compression ratio10.2:13 Independently researched
Fuel systemHonda PGM-FI electronic fuel injection3 Independently researched
Power 201 kW / 274 PSFactory: 270 hp · converted2
Power at 7,100 rpm3 Independently researched
Torque 285 NmFactory: 210 lb-ft · converted2
Torque at 6,500 rpm3 Independently researched

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxFive-speed manual2
Gears53 Independently researched
Final drive4.235:1 (standard NSX 4.062)4
Driven wheelsNot yet verified

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisNot yet verified
Front suspensionDouble wishbone, forged control arms, stiffened dampers and springs3 Independently researched
Rear suspensionDouble wishbone, forged control arms, stiffened dampers and springs3 Independently researched
BrakesFour-channel ABS, 282 mm ventilated discs all round3 Independently researched
SteeringNot yet verified
Body constructionNot yet verified
WheelbaseNot yet verified
Length 4.43 mFactory: 4.43 m4
Width 1.81 mFactory: 1.81 m4
Height 1.16 mFactory: 1.16 m4
Front trackNot yet verified
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weight 1,230 kgFactory: 2,710 lb · converted5 Independently researched
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 262 km/hFactory: 163 mph · converted3 Independently researched
0–100 km/h 5 s3 Independently researchedSource gives 0-62 mph (about 100 km/h).
Fuel tank 70 LFactory: 70 L3 Independently researched

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

A genuine NSX-R has Championship White paint, Recaro racing seats, forged Enkei wheels, no air conditioning or audio, additional aluminium chassis bracing under the front battery tray and ahead of the radiator, and a higher-locking limited-slip differential.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    RM Sotheby's Miami 2024, lot 118: 1996 Honda NSX-R Level B
    • 483 NSX-R built 1992–1996 per RM Sotheby's (Honda's own Type R timeline says 'just 500 were sold')
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  2. 2
    Honda Type R Timeline and Milestones Level A American Honda (hondanews.com) · 2022-05-30
    • 3.0-liter DOHC 24-valve V6
    • 270 hp and 210 lb-ft
    • 5-speed manual
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  3. 3
    Guide: Origin R, Honda NSX 3.0 Type R Level B Supercar Nostalgia
    • bore and stroke of 90mm and 78mm
    • 10.2:1 compression ratio
    • PGM-F1 electronic fuel-injection
    • 270bhp at 7100rpm
    • 210lb-ft at 6500rpm
    • five-speed manual gearbox
    • double wishbone suspension arrangement with its forged control arms
    • 282mm ventilated discs all round
    • top speed dropped from 168mph to 163mph
    • 0-62mph time dropped from 5.5 to 5 seconds flat
    • standard 70-litre fuel tank
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  4. 4
    NSX Type R added to the NSX line (Japanese) Level A Honda Motor Co., Ltd. · 1992-11-26
    • 最終減速比 4.235 / 4.062
    • 全長×全幅×全高(m) 4.430×1.810×1.160
    • 4.430×1.810×1.160
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  5. 5
    1996 Honda NSX-R – Miami 2024 Level B RM Sotheby's
    • total curb weight of 2,710 pounds
    Accessed 2026-11-11

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