A first-generation Honda NSX doesn’t need to be pristine to attract attention these days, although this particular example tested that principle rather aggressively. It had covered nearly 150,000 miles, came with the four-speed automatic, and had recently spent time sitting in floodwater.
The seller didn’t attempt to dress up its condition, either. It was openly advertised as a flood-damaged vehicle being sold as-is, with the listing describing it as a possible restoration base, source of parts, or simply “junk.”
The Yahoo Auctions Japan listing reveals that the Formula Red 1991 Honda NSX suffered its flooding on July 26, 2026. Despite everything working against it, bidders apparently saw plenty worth saving, with 93 bids pushing the final price to ¥8.004 million, equivalent to roughly $51,000.
That’s remarkable money considering the scale of the unknowns facing its new owner. Getting this NA1 back on the road could involve considerably more than drying the carpets and reconnecting the battery.
The Water Reached High Into The NSX
According to the seller, floodwater reached just below the key slot on the driver’s door. The interior, ECU, air-conditioning system, audio equipment, and security system were all listed as having suffered water exposure.
The engine hasn’t been started since the flooding, so its condition is unknown. Connecting the battery also causes the horn to sound erratically, which the seller suspects is related to water damage affecting the security system, so the positive terminal was left disconnected.
The NSX is therefore not considered drivable, and any restoration would also need to account for the possibility of longer-term corrosion affecting electrical connectors, wiring, modules, and other components exposed to water.
It Already Had 147,000 Miles
Even before the flood, this wasn’t a low-mileage collector piece. Its odometer shows 236,776 kilometers, or approximately 147,100 miles, and power is sent through a four-speed automatic rather than the manual transmission generally favored by enthusiasts.
There is some encouraging maintenance history. The electric power steering and ABS system were replaced or updated in November 2019, while the engine received what the seller described as a refresh in June 2021.
The transmission had an even more recent intervention, as the entire automatic gearbox was replaced with a used unit in August 2025.
Bidders Apparently Thought It Was Worth Saving
The auction reportedly began at only ¥1 million, or roughly $6,400, which sounds easier to reconcile with the Honda’s condition. Instead, repeated bidding drove the final result to ¥8.004 million before the auction ended on August 15.
Considering what the buyer actually received, that price is noteworthy. There is no guarantee the engine survived unharmed, numerous electrical systems were submerged, the cabin took on water, and the car cannot currently be driven.
Still, underneath all that flood damage sits an original-generation NSX, and values have made even deeply compromised examples difficult to dismiss.