BringATrailer is a premier marketplace favored by automotive enthusiasts for selling their cars, particularly excelling in the market for aftermarket performance vehicles. So when a, 1999 Acura NSX ‘Zanardi Edition,’ a masterpiece born from the collaboration between Honda and renowned race car driver Alex Zanardi hits the auction it should come to no surprise it shows up at BringATrailer.
The genesis of the Zanardi Edition traces back to Alex Zanardi’s consecutive CART championships in Honda-powered cars, a monumental achievement in the realm of motorsport. To celebrate his triumphs, Honda crafted a special iteration of the Acura NSX for the U.S. market, limited to just 51 units for the 1999 model year. Each exemplar bears the distinctive hallmarks that set it apart from its counterparts and pay homage to Zanardi’s stellar performances on the track, this particular vehicle is #34.
One of the defining features of the Zanardi Edition is its fixed roof, a departure from the removable targa top commonly found in other NSX variants. This design choice not only accentuates the sleek profile of the car but also contributes to its reduced weight, shedding 149 pounds compared to the NSX-T model. This weight-saving ethos extends to various components, including unassisted rack-and-pinion steering, a single-pane rear window, and lightweight BBS wheels, underscoring the vehicle’s performance-oriented character.
Externally, the Zanardi Edition captivates with its striking appearance, adorned in exclusive New Formula Red paint reminiscent of Zanardi’s championship-winning race car. Signature multi-spoke BBS wheels, dark gray finish, and a distinctive rear spoiler further elevate its visual appeal, ensuring that it commands attention wherever it roams. Inside the cabin, black microsuede and leather seats adorned with red contrast stitching exude luxury and sportiness, while a brushed aluminum ID plaque bearing Zanardi’s signature adds a personalized touch.
Under the hood, the Zanardi Edition retains the formidable twin-cam 3.2-liter V-6 engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed manual transmission. This powertrain configuration, coupled with rear-wheel drive dynamics, ensures an exhilarating driving experience that enthusiasts crave.
As bidding for this exceptional specimen escalates on BringATrailer, it’s evident that demand for the NSX ‘Zanardi Edition’ remains fervent among collectors and aficionados alike. With the current bid standing at $106,000 at the time of writing, it’s poised to fetch a substantial sum, which is hard to tell where it will land as this one was declared a total loss in 2017 due to damage sustained to the left, front, undercarriage, left-front, and right-front of the car. Even with it being a total loss it has exceeded the typical price for a total loss vehicle by almost double and with a day left we’re excited to see where the hammer strikes the final price.
