A unique Honda is set to embark on a remarkable journey from Italy to California for this year’s Monterey Car Week. The automaker will showcase its first-ever concept vehicle, the strikingly angular 1984 Honda HP-X Concept, on the iconic lawn during the 73rd Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, as part of the Wedge-Shaped Concept Cars and Prototypes category.
Created by the renowned Pininfarina in the early 1980s, this mid-engine car was first revealed to the public at the 1984 Turin Motor Show. The HP-X featured a bold design that marked a significant shift from Honda’s previous vehicles—or those of any other Japanese automaker—boasting a radical wedge silhouette and a cockpit inspired by fighter jets. Its stylish design echoed the Italian flair of the era, reminiscent of iconic models like the Lamborghini Countach and Ferrari Testarossa. Unlike these models, however, the HP-X was a true concept car, characterized by its unusual features, such as having no doors and instead utilizing a removable single-piece Perspex canopy.
The name HP-X stands for “Honda Pininfarina eXperimental,” and Honda asserts that this vehicle laid the groundwork for the development of its first supercar, the NSX. It features a mid-mounted 2.0-liter V6 engine, derived from an F2 racing engine, although specific performance figures have not been disclosed. Interestingly, the car includes a driver-controlled air brake integrated into the fairing.
One notable aspect of Honda’s first concept car is that it took until 1984 for the company to produce one, despite being in the engine and motorcycle business for nearly 40 years and in car manufacturing for about 20 years. Furthermore, the choice to collaborate with Pininfarina for its inaugural concept highlights the exquisite taste of Soichiro Honda and his team. Had the design been conducted internally or by another firm, it’s possible the HP-X wouldn’t have garnered such attention.
Felix Kilbertus, Pininfarina’s chief creative officer, commented on the HP-X, stating, “The Honda HP-X exemplifies Pininfarina’s distinctive capacity to convey innovative concepts through concept cars that forecast future trends. At Pininfarina, we aim to integrate our design values into every project, ensuring that the core identity of our partners remains intact, while also looking forward with confidence. Although the HP-X was never mass-produced, its impact on subsequent Honda models and the wider automotive industry is significant. It symbolizes the innovative spirit of both Honda and Pininfarina, inspiring future advancements in automotive design.”
Although the HP-X’s design may have been too unconventional for mass production, it paved the way for future concepts. According to Honda, the engineering principles and technologies used in the HP-X directly influenced the development of the NSX, particularly its mid-engine, two-seat configuration.
Kudos to Honda for investing the resources and effort to restore the HP-X to its original state and showcase it at Pebble Beach for enthusiasts to appreciate. It is commendable to see Japanese brands actively share their rich heritage in North America, paralleling the efforts of European manufacturers.
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