This year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will have a head turner in the shape of a classic supercar resurrected to showcase the vision of the future back in the 80s. The Honda HP-X Concept unveiled five decades ago at the 1984 Turin Auto Show is going to debut again at the North American Auto Show.
The mid-engine supercar was designed by Iconic Italian design firm Pininfarina and was marked by its sharp wedge profile. The concept immediately caught attention for its jet-engine-inspired cockpit and Knight Rider-like advanced tech. This will be the first time in more than 50 years that a Japanese vehicle will be showcased at the Pebble Beach event. The prized car restored by the two brands will take on other competing models for the “Wedge-Shaped Concept Cars and Prototypes” class at the 73rd Annual event on August 18, 2024.
Designer: Honda
According to Dave Marek, Acura design executive and honorary Pebble Beach Concours judge, HP-X was more than just a concept as it inspired the design and engineering of future cars like the Acura NSX. Even after so many years, the car is a living proof of Honda and Pinnifarina’s innovative spirit. Felix Kilbertus, Pininfarina’s chief creative officer rightly stated that the vehicle had a major influence on “subsequent Honda models and the broader automotive landscape is undeniable.”
The mid-mounted 2.0L DOHC 24-valve V6 engine car has a fighter jet-like entry (yes no doors, not even scissor ones) into the cockpit as the Perspex canopy comes off. It also aids in aerodynamics and doubles as an air brake. HP-X was far ahead of its time with a lightweight body crafted out of carbon fiber, Kevlar and honeycomb paneling. All these materials were rare at that time and of course, cost an exorbitant amount.
This restored version retains the two-tone white and navy blue paint job with red accents. The cockpit has a nostalgic red and white suede interior, along with a button-dominated center stack console. Functionality and comfort take precedence as the car had an in-house developed Electronic Drive Support System, for real-time telemetry data, GPS navigation and adaptability to road conditions.
