When the announcement went out that the 2024 Concours would feature a group of “wedge-shaped concept cars and prototypes” - along with the first time the Honda HP-X would make it to the United States following a restoration at Pininfarina’s warehouse in Italy - I knew I had to find a way into the show. Thankfully I was able to secure entry and, after the Dawn Patrol wrapped up, I made my way all the way down the 548-yard-long Par 5 18th to the wedges.
As soon as the cover slid off, the HP-X became one of my favorite vehicles all-time. The fighter-jet-esque removeable single-piece Perspex canopy is not only striking, but functional as well. The wing to the rear acted as a driver-activated air brake, but for better or worse that system didn’t make it to production.
(Click images below to view in a Hi-Res Lightbox)
The bodyline grooves along the side of the car definitely show the fingerprints of Pininfarina, even if they didn’t sign their name to the side of the car. The wheel design and paint-matched color was a perfect choice and have a great retro-futuristic feel.
Underneath the rear hatch sat a (unpictured) mid-engine V6 engine derived from a Honda F2 race setup, which should bring to mind the NSX, a veritable 90’s legend. The massive aero parts underneath the rear of the car were something I didn’t expect but were a very cool solution to aero and cooling for the car shape and engine setup.
Thankfully the overcast skies allowed my polarizing filter to work it’s magic to the fullest extent so we could take a look at this gorgeous interior. The red stripe around the exterior of the car makes its way inside to flood the interior - the seats, center console, cockpit walls, and the stripe both around the front of the dashboard and around the matching luggage behind the seats all serve just the right amount of pop and cohesion between outside and in.
The barebones steering wheel and accordion shifter boot are dead giveaways as to the era this car was designed in, but that’s not a negative at all. The button-laden console houses a “Honda developed ‘Electronic Drive Support System’" that “previewed advanced features including real-time telemetry, GPS and even road condition warnings via ‘special sonar.’" Considering this is a 40-year-old vehicle, those touches are incredible to see and are still desirable options on cars today.
After circling the car and taking photos, videos to send to friends, more photos, and generally just soaking in all the details, I finally got out of the way and gave others their opportunity for clear shots.
All in all, I’m very pleased these photos turned out with how many people were already around at 8 AM and am happy I got to see the first Japanese car in 50 years on the grounds of Pebble Beach.