Click image for a high-res gallery of the event

Our first experience behind-the-wheel of an NSX (circa 1996) reinforced our decision to keep Car and Driver's cutaway drawing above our desk until we moved out of the 'rents house. Honda's foray into mid-engine exotica has a similarly obsessive following, as evidenced by the NSX Club Britain's takeover of JapFest the weekend before last.

43 pristine examples of the NSX converged on the event, including one G-plate NSX that held the distinction of being the second such vehicle imported to Britain. With just 7,700 miles on the odometer, this 1990 model underwent an extensive restoration by Honda and was reportedly driven by Ayrton Senna during a trip to the UK.

Some of the participants traveled from as far away as Northern Ireland and Scotland to show off their wares, while others bombarded the track to test the limits of one of the few "everyday supercars." Color us impressed by the effort. Now if we can just find that cutaway pic, we'd like to get it framed and hung over our mantle.

Honda's full press release is posted after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE

NSX GATHERING STEALS SHOW

Europe's largest ever gathering of Honda NSX supercars stole the limelight at last weekend's JapFest show at Castle Combe.

An incredible 43 of the legendary mid-engined sports cars were brought together for the event by one of the UK's biggest NSX clubs.

Owners from far and wide assembled at the Wiltshire venue to create a huge display – catching the attention of show organisers, who awarded the club a trophy for its efforts. Meanwhile, some of the more brave members ventured on track to test the limits of their immaculate machines.

James Taylor, from the online-based NSX Club Britain, said: "This was our first ever stand at a large event and everyone was blown away by the sheer number of cars that turned up. Some people had travelled all the way down from Scotland and Northern Ireland to be there."

Honda (UK) contributed to the pack of NSXs with its own, rare version of the car. The G-plate NSX, registered in 1990, is thought to be the second NSX ever brought to the country. And despite its age, it's in immaculate condition – thanks to restoration work carried out by the Honda (UK) press workshop, and the meagre 7,700 miles on the clock. Its other claim to fame is that it was once driven by Ayrton Senna on a visit to Honda (UK).

Notes for editors:

The NSX made its debut in 1990 as a genuine mid-engine sports car with an all-aluminium monocoque body – a world's first for a production vehicle at the time. The NSX continued to evolve, with performance improvements including increased displacement, a 6-speed manual transmission, enhanced aerodynamic performance, and different tyre sizes, along with the addition of the NSX-T open-top model and the NSX-R pure sports model with further enhanced driving performance. One of the first true sports cars to adopt clean emissions measures, the NSX succeeded in combining exhilarating driving performance with superior environmental performance. As a result, the NSX achieved total worldwide sales of over 18,000 units during the 15 years it was in production.



The History of the NSX

Feb. 1989


NS-X mid-engine sports car prototype introduced at the Chicago Auto Show

Oct. 1989


NS-X exhibited at the Tokyo Motor Show

Aug. 1990


Acura NSX went on sale in the US

Sept. 1990


NSX went on sale in Japan

1991


"Owners' Meetings", designed to enhance driving skills, inaugurated

Jan. 1992


Custom order interior and body colour plan introduced; its range later expanded.

Nov. 1992


Pure sports model Type-R added to the line-up

Feb. 1993


Minor model change (addition of passenger-side SRS airbags, other enhanced equipment)

1993


"Refresh Plan" introduced as premium service for maturing vehicles

Feb. 1994


Minor model change (16/17-inch aluminium wheels, reinforced brake pads)

Mar. 1995


Minor model change (Drive-By-Wire electronic control, F-Matic manual-feel automatic transmission, open-top Type-T added to line-up)

Feb. 1997


Minor model change (3.2-litre manual transmission model, 6-speed manual transmission, introduction of Type-S)

Sept. 1999


Minor model change (reduced exhaust emissions, enhanced equipment)

Dec. 2001


Minor model change (exterior design changes, 17-inch tyres front and back)

May 2002


New NSX Type-R model introduced

Oct. 2003


Minor model change (Immobiliser, new body colours)

Sept. 2005


Production of European model ends