Honda revives an 80’s concept classic with the HP-X. The wedge-shaped concept car made its debut in 1984 but it will get the chance to steal the spotlight once again 40 years later when it makes its return during Monterey Car Week.
Monterey Car Week is a dynamic mixture of old and new classic cars with the stage providing automakers a chance to reach a bespoke audience especially with concept vehicles. The event has seen its fair share of concept vehicles make their debuts over the years but Honda is hoping that the California backdrop will give it an opportunity to dust off a piece of its past, the HP-X.
The HP-X made its debut at the Turin auto show in 1984 and while it looked like something that leapt off of a movie screen at the time, it never made the move to production and it subsequently disappeared in the background where it became forgotten. That’s now changing with the company bringing it back for another attempt at pleasing show attendees.
HP-X promised performance
The HP-X appeared on the scene long before the NSX was even thought of, and it was supposed to preview a modern two-door performance car. Designed by Pininfarina, the HP-X was ahead of its time with the concept featuring a body made out of kevlar and carbon fiber while the wedge shape provided the car with maximum aerodynamics. The concept also used “ground effects” and it even had a driver-operated air brake system. Performance for the concept came from a 2.0-liter V6 that was lifted out of a Formula 2 car.
Unfortunately, Honda chose to not pursue the idea further after the HP-X made its show debut for unknown reasons. Instead, the company shifted to the NSX five years later and while that model became a cult classic and generated a strong following of owners, the HP-X was left to be forgotten about. It was like that for over 40 years before the company decided to embark on a restoration effort to restore the car as it appeared when it made its original 1984 debut in Turin.
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HP-X benefitted from extensive restoration
Honda’s goal was to keep the HP-X as original as possible during the restoration process with the concept retaining the two-tone white and navy paintwork that made its appearance in the 1980s complete with the red accents. The interior has no doors but the one-piece Perspex canopy flips upward to reveal a two-seat cockpit with the materials here also being as close to the original concept as possible.
“The Honda HP-X Concept was the star of the 1984 Turin Auto Show, showcasing elements of engineering excellence and cutting-edge design, with extreme wedge-shape styling that continues to inspire future generations of car designers and engineers,” said Acura Design Executive Dave Marek. He elaborated further stating. “The forward-thinking HP-X had an undeniable impact on the industry, highlighting our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in automotive design.”
The completed concept will be competing in the “Wedge Shaped Concepts and Prototype Class” at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It’s not known what the company has planned for the HP-X after its appearance at Pebble Beach but look for the vehicle to perhaps make other appearances at car show events with the company looking to get as much publicity as possible from the revived concept.
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