Pininfarina is often most closely associated with Ferrari, but their partnership with Honda led to two of the greatest sports cars of the 1990s: the legendary NSX and mini yet mighty Beat. However, before either of those two cars turned a wheel, Honda and Pininfarina wowed the world at the 1984 Turin Auto Show when they debuted this, the HP-X Concept.

Now freshly restored and set to make its North American debut in the ‘Wedge-Shaped Concept Cars and Prototypes Class’ at the Pebble Beach Concours this month, the HP-X will be the first Japanese vehicle entry at the concours in over 50 years. 

While it’s hard to believe this is a design from the 1980s, the HP-X preceded the development of the NSX and was built to show Honda’s intent to bring a mid-engine supercar to market. It featured cutting-edge technology, such as ground effect aerodynamics, carbon fibre and Kevlar construction, and innovative cooling methods for its Honda F2 racing engine-derived 2-litre DOHC 24-valve V6. 

Above all the tech, however, the HP-X’s most striking feature has to be its single-piece perspex canopy, which eliminated the need for doors. Climb inside, and you’ll notice the HP-X employed many now-commonplace features such as GPS, real-time telemetry, and even a special sonar system that provided road condition warnings. We can’t wait to see this ambitious concept on the concours lawns later this month!