A 2003 Honda NSX-R has shattered expectations by selling for $1.06 million at auction this weekend, marking the first time any NSX has crossed the seven-figure threshold. The sale took place at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, one of Europe’s most prestigious automotive events.
Finished in Honda’s signature Championship White and showing fewer than 10,000 miles, the car is one of just 140 NSX-Rs produced between 2002 and 2005 for the Japanese domestic market. Its pristine condition and low mileage were key factors in the final hammer price, which equated to €934,375.
The NSX-R was developed as a lighter, more focused version of Honda’s already celebrated sports car. It features a naturally aspirated 3.2-liter V6 producing 290 horsepower, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. Stripped of unnecessary weight — 264 pounds less than its standard counterpart — the NSX-R was engineered with a purist philosophy, aiming to deliver raw, unfiltered driving precision.
While the NSX has long been praised by enthusiasts and automotive legends alike — including Gordon Murray, who cited it as an inspiration for the McLaren F1 — it has traditionally remained outside the ultra-premium collector car bracket. Most examples have historically sold below $300,000, making this sale a significant market milestone.
The unexpected bidding war for this example drew participants from around the globe, with interest recorded from the U.S., U.K., South Africa, Argentina, and Australia. The result underscores the growing recognition of Japanese performance cars as collectible assets in a rapidly evolving classic car market.
Although its new owner remains anonymous, enthusiasts hope the NSX-R won’t be relegated to static display. As Honda originally intended, it’s a car made to be driven — and driven hard.
Shawn Henry