The Legend of the NSX
While Lexus was busy proving to the world that the Japanese could build a world-beating luxury sedan, Acura was also proving that the East can genuinely scare off the sports car establishment. The result was the NSX, and like the Lexus LS, it upset many European and American marques.
The NSX didn’t just keep up with the best; it also beat them in many other aspects, forcing the establishment to do better. It was the Honda-badged version that got a slew of special edition models, including the Type R. But in 1999, the Acura NSX finally got a model unique to it in the form of the Zanardi Edition.
The_Dude_Abides/Bring a Trailer
The Backstory
The NSX Zanardi Edition was built to commemorate Alex Zanardi’s back-to-back CART championships. It was stripped down, lightened, and even had the power steering removed to shave off more pounds. The suspension was also stiffened for sharper handling, and it was similar to, but not exactly like, the NSX Type Zero sold in Japan. It’s an incredibly rare car and was never offered outside of the U.S. Its 51-car production run made the original NSX-R look like normal traffic.
With its history and rarity behind it, Classic.com puts its value at just under $152,400. These cars rarely come up for sale for obvious reasons, so imagine our surprise when we found one on Bring a Trailer. It’s a one-owner car, and it’s number 22 out of the 51 made. In the 27 years it’s been with the seller, it’s only done a little over 23,000 miles. It’s also been well looked after, which is what a car of this status deserves, so it’s seen vigorous service over the years. It isn’t flawless, as shown by the scuffs on the underside of the front bumper cover, but overall, it’s straight and true. This car isn’t restored, but rather, blessed to have a caring owner.
The_Dude_Abides/Bring a Trailer
The Offer
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Make | Acura |
| Model | NSX Zanardi Edition (NA2) |
| Year | 1999 |
| Mileage | 23,075 miles shown |
| Engine | 3.2-liter C32B V6 |
| Power | 290 horsepower |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive |
| Exterior color | New Formula Red |
| Interior color | Onyx leather with suede inserts |
| Wheels | 16-inch front, 17-inch rear BBS multi-spoke |
| Suspension | Four-wheel double wishbone |
| Brakes | Four-wheel vented disc |
| Steering | Rack and pinion steering |
| Current bid | $222,222 |
Interested in this car? View the listing here.
The_Dude_Abides/Bring a Trailer
Why it’s Special
More than the car, the person it’s commemorating is even more special. Alex Zanardi was an open-wheel legend, and an even bigger hero and inspiration off the track. Following his horrific accident in 2001, where he nearly lost his life, he was determined to get back behind the wheel despite losing both legs. After his accident, he resumed racing, became the 2005 Italian Superturismo champion, and found success in touring car racing. Outside motorsport, Zanardi was a Paralympian and an accomplished hand-cyclist, inspiring many. Zanardi passed away on May 1, 2026, leaving behind a legacy that will never be forgotten. The NSX Zanardi Edition is just a glimpse of the man’s legend.
The_Dude_Abides/Bring a Trailer
The_Dude_Abides/Bring a Trailer
The_Dude_Abides/Bring a Trailer
The_Dude_Abides/Bring a Trailer
The_Dude_Abides/Bring a Trailer
The_Dude_Abides/Bring a Trailer
The_Dude_Abides/Bring a Trailer
The_Dude_Abides/Bring a Trailer
The_Dude_Abides/Bring a Trailer
The_Dude_Abides/Bring a Trailer
The_Dude_Abides/Bring a Trailer
The_Dude_Abides/Bring a Trailer
Acura
About the author
Anton Andres
News Editor