- The Honda Pininfarina eXperimental concept has been restored 40 years after its debut.
- The mid-engined concept served as inspiration for the development of the original Honda NSX.
- Honda will exhibit the HP-X at the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Honda will make a surprising appearance at the Monterey Car Week this year, bringing a Pininfarina-designed mid-engined concept from 1984 that inspired the original NSX.
The Honda HP-X (Honda Pininfarina eXperimental) debuted at the 1984 Turin Auto Show, showcasing the automaker’s intentions to produce a mid-engined sportscar. 40 years later, the concept has been restored by Pininfarina to shine at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
More: 8 Stillborn Mid-Engined Concepts That Would Have Made the 1980s Really Rock
The HP-X was well ahead of its time. The exterior has a characteristic wedge shape, featuring deep creases on the bodywork, and a removable single-piece Perspex canopy inspired by jet fighters.
Besides looking cool, the transparent spoiler extension also served as a “driver-controlled air brake”. Furthermore, the concept featured “ground-effect” aerodynamics and weight-saving measures like honeycomb panels, carbon fiber, and Kevlar. The HP-X is more compact than the first-gen NSX, measuring 4,160 mm (163.8 inches) long, 1,780 mm (70.1 inches) wide, and 1,110 mm (43.7 inches) tall.
1984 Honda HP-X Concept Restored
A look at the futuristic two-seater cabin proves it has stood the test of time. Similar to the digital cockpits of today, the HP-X had two screens – one serving as an analog cluster, and a larger one mounted on the center console. These integrate Honda’s “Electronic Drive Support System” which sounds like a predecessor to modern navigation, telemetry, and driver assistance systems. The original press release suggests that the screen could display the vehicle’s position on the map, with a special sonar detecting roadblocks for easier parking maneuvers.
The HP-X might be a static prototype, but it was envisioned with a mid-mounted naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter 24-valve V6 powertrain sourced from Honda’s Formula 2 program in the ’80s. Honda didn’t get into specifics, but according to Wikipedia, the period’s F2 racecars were estimated to produce over 310 hp (231 kW / 314 PS).
Felix Kilbertus, Pininfarina‘s chief creative officer said: “The HP-X did not go into production as such, but its influence on subsequent Honda models and the broader automotive landscape is undeniable. It stands as a testament to both Honda’s and Pininfarina’s innovative spirit, inspiring future developments in the automotive industry.”
The restored Honda HP-X will be exhibited at the Wedge-Shaped Concept Cars and Prototypes Class at the 73rd Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 18. Honda claims this will mark the first Japanese vehicle entry at the event in over 50 years.
Below, you can find the original press material from 1984, including early development sketches and live photos from the show. The concept would mark the beginning of development for the original Honda NSX, which debuted in production form in 1990.
