Honda is turning back the clock and bringing the 1984 HP-X Concept, the brand’s first concept car, to this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Debuting in North America this August, the HP-X Concept was an early inspiration for the NSX sports car and was designed and hand-crafted by Pininfarina, the world-renowned Italian design firm responsible for other automotive icons (including a whole host of Ferraris, such as the Testarossa and 308 GTB).
The compact and elegant HP-X is 163.8 inches long and just 43.7 inches tall. It has a short hood and a variety of angular body lines that seemed futuristic at the time; though the word “abstract” also springs to mind. Below, aerodynamic ground effects and wheels separate the rest of the body from the tarmac; and above, a large greenhouse with a bubble-like design encloses the cockpit and folds up for entry in place of conventional doors. The rear part of the hood also serves as an air brake controlled by the driver. The use of carbon fiber and Kevlar materials helped reduce the weight of the compact concept.
Further NSX inspiration can be seen in the powertrain; the HP-X housed a mid-mounted DOHC 24-valve 2.0-liter V6 based on Honda’s Formula 2 racing engine. And the HP-X is reminiscent of other high-end exotic cars of the era; you may have seen it on a poster in a child’s bedroom in the ’80s.
“The Honda HP-X Concept was the star of the 1984 Turin Motor Show, showcasing elements of engineering excellence and cutting-edge design with extreme wedge styling that will continue to inspire future generations of automotive designers and engineers,” said David Marek, Acura’s design director and honorary judge of the Pebble Beach Concours. “The pioneering HP-X had an undeniable impact on the industry and underscored our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in automotive design.”
Although the HP-X never went into production, it inspired many new ideas and concepts that can be seen in today’s Honda and Acura models. We’re happy to see these brands remember their roots, restore this unique concept car, and showcase it at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. If you’re one of the lucky ones to be there, keep an eye out for this time capsule of an entry in the rather appropriate “wedge-shaped concept cars and prototypes” class.
