This is the 1984 Honda HP-X (Honda Pininfarina Experimental), Honda’s very first concept car, a one-of-a-kind static model developed by the Italian coach building and design firm, Pininfarina. In 1983, Honda commissioned Pininfarina to design a car that was “a midship sports car which takes a different direction from a Ferrari.” The earliest beginnings of the HP-X project began with a series of sketches by designers Giuseppe Randazzo, Emanuele Nicosia, and Diego Ottina. The group collaboratively envisioned a unique wedge-shaped coupe with a miraculously innovative design to say the least. The HP-X was first built and further refined using a wind tunnel, which explains the coefficient of drag being an impressive 0.25, due to this highly aerodynamic and well-studied design. During its grand reveal at the 1984 Turin Motor Show, the car was displayed with countless fascinating details such as a removable, jet-fighter-style Perspex canopy that stretched into a rear fairing. This not only enhanced the vehicle’s sleek profile but also acted as an air brake controlled by the driver. Moreover, the HP-X pushed boundaries with advanced materials like carbon fiber, Kevlar, and honeycomb panels to minimize weight and boost performance. The HP-X served as a direct precursor to the NSX, influencing its mid-engine layout and aerodynamics. Though never produced, its design and engineering innovations laid the foundation for the NSX’s precision performance and Honda’s entry into the supercar market. Although simple, the HP-X’s interior screens planned to showcase real-time telemetry, GPS, and road condition alerts, which would all be powered by sonar. Fast forward to 2024, and after an extensive restoration carried out by Pininfarina in Italy, the HP-X recently made it’s North American debut in the ‘Wedge-Shaped Concept Cars and Prototypes’ class during the 73rd Annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, August 18th, 2024.
How many made? 1
Engine: 2.0-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 (based on a Honda F2 racing engine) *planned*
Debut: 1984 Turin Motor Show
Top Speed: n/a
0-60mph: n/a
Photo Credit: @jpav._
Research: @rarecarsonly
1984 Honda HP-X (Honda Pininfarina Experimental)
24.10.2024
Honda