NSX Built During COVID Lockdown
The opportunity to build his dream NSX came at a time when government-imposed restrictions forced people to stay home. And that gave Tam Le all the time in the world to get to work on his mid-engine Honda.
Childhood Dream
For skilled mechanic, Honda fanatic, and owner of DailyDriven.com, Tam Le, the life-long obsession with the first-generation NSX began back in 1990 when he saw one in person for the first time at the age of 16. A blooming car enthusiast, he fantasized about one day owning one. And while his life priorities shifted over the years, having started a family of his own, his love for the NSX never waivered.
Photos: Fast Car
Affinity For the Honda Brand
While amassing a great deal of knowledge as a mechanic and collecting various Hondas over the years, he continued to daydream of his very own NSX. And nearly 30 years after his first encounter with the supercar killer, he finally had a real opportunity to get his hands on one. The rarity of these beautiful machines meant that he had to travel from his home state of Washington all the way to Texas to see the car in person.
>>Join the conversation about this pandemic NSX right here on S2Ki.com.
Finally an NSX Owner
Though he had gathered as much info and photographic evidence through his communications with the seller, seeing the car in person gave him a better idea of how rough of a shape the NSX was really in. After giving it a lot of thought, he decided that this was the one for him. And he knew he had to rely on his skills and experience to fix the car up and bring it to where he needed it to be.
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Lockdown Project
Around the time that the NSX made it to Seattle on a transport was when the global pandemic had begun forcing federal and state governments to enact lockdown measures. Undoubtedly a difficult time for most. But the abundance of free time meant Le could focus 100% of effort and attention on building his dream NSX. Over the month that followed, Le would spend 10-12 hours each day working on the car. And the first order of business was repairing and upgrading the engine, transmission, and suspension.
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Wide Body
The car needed quite a bit of work. But Le had a vision and he was determined to achieve it. One of the most prominent aspects of his vision was the implementation of a wide body kit. He wanted a GT supercar look. And to accomplish it, he went with Downforce GTS vented front fenders, Taitec rear quarter panels, a Type R hood, Shine Auto front bumper, Pride Marga Hills-style side skirts, and Route KS carbon side scoops.
>>Join the conversation about this pandemic NSX right here on S2Ki.com.
Flawless Interior
The same level of craftsmanship and creativity can be seen on the interior of the cabin as well. Not only did Le want his cockpit to stand out from the rest, he also wanted to introduce modern creature comforts to update the 30-year-old NSX with improved daily drivability. The S2000 gauge cluster, the Pioneer head unit and speakers, the Momo steering wheel, custom leather seat covers, and carbon fiber trim all make this a fabulous interior space to be in.
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Dream Come True
To comply with the not-so-friendly city streets of Seattle, the NSX is equipped with an adjustable suspension system that doesn't compromise comfort or performance. Having rebuilt the engine with the ground up, Le has been hesitant to add forced induction just yet. But that might change once the new Science of Speed supercharger kit is unveiled.
>>Join the conversation about this pandemic NSX right here on S2Ki.com.