Honda launches factory programme to restore and sell historic race cars
Honda Racing Corporation USA is launching the HRC Heritage Racing Program, giving customers the opportunity to buy historic Honda and Acura race cars and have them restored by the factory. HRC will also offer engine rebuilds, technical consultancy and trackside support.
The first car offered for sale is a 2007 Acura ARX-01a, the Andretti Green Racing prototype that won the LMP2 class on its debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Bryan Herta, Tony Kanaan and Dario Franchitti shared the driving duties.
The ARX-01a is being offered with the option of a full factory restoration through HRC's Heritage Racing Program.
The car was originally derived from the Courage LC75 chassis, but Honda Performance Development and Wirth Research reworked the design so extensively that it was homologated as the Acura ARX-01a. Its 3.4-litre naturally aspirated V8 produces around 358 kW, or 480 bhp, and revs to 10,500 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox.
HRC will restore the cars to race-ready condition
For each restoration, HRC strips the car completely and rebuilds it using original homologation documents, engineers' notes, photographs and technical archives. Engines are rebuilt at HRC US headquarters in Santa Clarita, California.
Where necessary, HRC modernises the electronics and uses updated materials to improve safety. Once the work is complete, each car undergoes track testing, while HRC can continue to provide technical and trackside support for owners taking part in historic racing.
“Classic race cars never die, their myth and aura just grow,” said HRC US president David Salters.
The aim, then, is not simply to create museum pieces. HRC wants to return these cars as closely as possible to their original specification while making them usable on track once again.
More historic racers are also being offered
The programme also includes a 2009 Acura ARX-02a Patrón. Its 4.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 produces around 462 kW, or 620 bhp. The ARX-02a helped Acura secure the American Le Mans Series LMP1 manufacturers' title in 2009, while Patrón Highcroft Racing drivers David Brabham and Scott Sharp won the drivers' championship.
A restored 2017 Acura NSX GT3, chassis number 005, is also being offered for sale. HRC describes it as the winningest NSX GT3 chassis of all time. The wider NSX GT3 programme recorded 38 class wins across IMSA and SRO competition between 2017 and 2023, along with multiple manufacturers', drivers' and teams' championships.
HRC has also restored, or is in the process of restoring, a number of other significant Honda and Acura competition cars. The Heritage Racing Program is initially focused mainly on historic endurance racers, but HRC plans to expand it in future to include more Honda-powered IndyCar machinery.
Formula 1 cars are not among the vehicles currently announced for sale through the programme. Although HRC is displaying historic Honda Formula 1 machinery during Monterey Car Week, that does not mean those cars are being offered through the Heritage Racing Program.
