Honda NSX first-gen restomod – gorgeous JAS Tensei designed by Pininfarina with carbon physique, 3.0L NA V6

So far as automotive legends go, there’s not a lot that may contact the authentic Honda NSX as of late. The seminal Japanese mid-engined sports activities automobile is probably not such a quick automobile by as we speak’s requirements, however its rarity, its sharp, low-slung design and its engrossing backstory – which includes a sure Mr. Senna – make it extremely extremely wanted, and its rising values replicate that.

For many who can afford to blow much more cash on one, Honda’s longtime European racing accomplice JAS Motorsport has provide you with a surprising restomod referred to as the Tensei. Named after the Japanese phrase for “rebirth”, it’s a modernised model of the fighter jet-esque traditional (which this author is sort of as outdated as, dammit), taking a web page out of the Singer playbook.

To create it, JAS would require consumers to offer an authentic NA1/NA2 NSX for it to do unspeakable issues to. The mere considered taking a chainsaw to a priceless instance would in all probability ship purists right into a tailspin, however the finish end result – as you may see in these pictures – is completely drop-dead attractive.

The carbon fibre physique, designed by none apart from Pininfarina (quite serendipitous, provided that the design home was concerned with the NSX early on within the design course of), retains all of the styling cues that mark the automobile out as a design icon, together with the all-black F-16-inspired cover, the rakish overarching rear spoiler and, most significantly, the NA1’s pop-up headlights.

However look nearer and also you’ll discover some refined curves the place there have been as soon as straight traces. The fenders are ever so barely extra muscular, the aspect air intakes are higher built-in into the remainder of the design, the door mirrors are sleeker, and the slim entrance indicators and U-shaped full-width taillights obtain slim LED bars to convey them bang updated.

Different bits have been made extra aggressive to swimsuit fashionable design tastes, such because the entrance bumper, the vented bonnet and entrance fenders and the sizeable diffuser with vertical twin tailpipes. The carbon L-shaped bumper corners could also be a contact too outlandish, however that’s about all I can discover fault in regards to the styling. The entire thing is about off by some snazzy Y-spoke centre-lock alloy wheels.

No pictures of the inside, however JAS confirmed that the cabin has additionally been redesigned by Pininfarina – which is simply as properly, as a result of that’s the one space the place the NSX really exhibits its age. The Tensei may even convey some old-school driving thrills on this age of widespread turbocharging and electrification, as it will likely be powered by a 3.0 litre naturally-aspirated V6 – hopefully mated to an excellent ol’ six-speed handbook gearbox.

There’s no phrase on how a lot the Tensei will value, however provided that even early NA1s are recurrently marketed at over RM500,000, anticipate to pay hundreds of thousands for the privilege of proudly owning an improved “new” one. Maybe the cash is price it for the irony that the automobile that was meant to show the Italians a lesson was finally made higher by a agency in Milan.

GALLERY: 1990 Honda NSX in Malaysia

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