1999 Acura NSX Zanardi Edition
#36368. S/N JH4NA2129XT000178. 12k miles. “51st and Final Zanardi Edition NSX, given new to current Owner Miguel Duhamel. 3.2-Liter VTEC V6, 6-speed manual transaxle, fixed-roof hard top, New Formula Red over Onyx, staggered-diameter BBS wheels, recent service, owner’s manual, window sticker.” Condition: 1+. SOLD AT $282,017. Bring a Trailer, 9/17/2020.
Brian’s take: In the July 2020 issue, I covered another Zanardi Edition NSX that sold for $135,000. You might be thinking, “What happened in the five months since?” But before we consider that, let’s look at some differences between the two cars. The earlier sale, back in April, was a car showing 45k more miles. It also wasn’t owned by former professional motorcycle racer Miguel Duhamel, who received it as a gift from Honda. These points are crucial to the huge price, but they are not the only things that contributed to this car selling for twice the previous one. For the past few months, we have watched more and more Japanese cars making bigger numbers, and with almost everything shifting online, everyone has had the chance to easily watch this run-up unfold. So is the NSX the next high-value Japanese collectible? Yes, sort of. But special limited-edition models with low mileage like this Zanardi Edition car will almost always bring more than their base-model versions. Another NSX with 51k miles sold around the same time with a hammer price of $55k. Keep this in mind before you start bidding. Well sold.
1994 Lexus LS400
#37179. S/N JT8UF11EXR0203201. 5,400 miles shown. “4.0-L 1UZ-FE V8, 4-speed automatic transmission, Champagne Beige Metallic over taupe leather, power sunroof, heated and powered front seats, power tilt steering wheel, automatic climate control, Nakamichi stereo, six-disc CD changer.” Condition: 1. SOLD AT $23,678. Bring a Trailer, 8/24/2020.
Brian’s take: Like the Toyota Cressida before it, the Lexus LS400 was created to compete with BMW and Mercedes-Benz for a fraction of the cost. But this time, a new brand was launched to wild and continuing success in the U.S. Although the LS was planned for international markets, it ended up becoming so popular that the Japanese market demanded its own version, the Celsior. This car also has a following in the modified-car world for a style called VIP (or in Japanese, “bippu”). It first started in Japan with high-end luxury cars owned by Yakuza members who added parts such as large, deep-lipped wheels, window curtains and lowered suspension. This ended up spinning off into its own subculture, which gained attention by Americans looking to do the same. White, black and sometimes silver versions of these cars would be the most popular base to start with, and finding clean ones in nice shape may become harder in the future. Well sold.
1994 Toyota Supra SZ
#36987. S/N 6U900JZA800017171. 93k kilometers (about 58k miles). “Imported from Australia, 3.0-L 2JZ-GE inline 6, 5-speed manual transmission, refinished in white, TRD & Bomex bodywork, 18-inch Advan three-spoke wheels, gray interior, Kenwood Double-DIN stereo, R134a air conditioning serviced.” Condition: 3-. SOLD AT $29,138. Bring a Trailer, 9/28/2020.
Brian’s take: Original, low-mileage MK4 Supras have been selling for over $100k now, so it is interesting to see what the other end of the market looks like. The body kit wasn’t confirmed to be original TRD parts or a replica, there is visible rust around the rubber trim, and the car has an overall tired look. Clearly, buyers saw the condition and were concerned about what was hidden underneath. There was also no video of the car running and driving, which is almost crucial now with an online auction. I think what we have here is a good example of the current low-end market for the MK4. It would be worth it to save a little more money and buy a nicer one in the $30k–$40k range instead. ♦