As Honda sought to take on Ferrari and Porsche with its “New Sportscar Experimental” flagship, the design brief was to create a world-beater that really could be enjoyed every day. Naturally, this left engineers to make some concessions in the pursuit of usability. However, the NSX-R from 1992 was born to be a hardcore, no-compromise, track-focused special.

When specified in leanest form, minus traction control and with much of the sound deadening removed, the R was up to 120 kilograms lighter than standard. That helped the 280 horsepower mid-mounted V-6, equipped with Honda’s signature VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) system, launch the car to 60 mph from a standstill in a hair’s width over 5 seconds. Meanwhile, stiffer suspension and new aluminium bracketry improved rigidity to help dial out a propensity for oversteer. Just 483 cars were produced exclusively for the Japanese domestic market.

This example was originally purchased in March 1994 by Mr Anthony Galliers-Pratt, a regular among historic racing and rallying. Working as a banker in Tokyo, he spent 11.25 million Japanese Yen for a final specification that included the stunning Charlotte Pearl Green paint (the majority were finished in white) over a black Alcantara interior that features red accent stitching. Also optioned were the rare and expensive seven-spoke Custom Order Programme Step Three wheels in Championship White, while the roof is notably finished in body colour rather than the typical black. This car also gained Mugen tubular manifolds, limited-slip differential, and an ultra-low final drive from the factory.

Mr Galliers-Pratt returned to the United Kingdom in the summer of 1998, accompanied by his car. Well-known to the Honda NSX Owners Club, it was acquired by the consigning owner in August 2011. Featuring the NSX-R-specific Momo leather-wrapped steering wheel, sculpted titanium gear knob, carbon fibre instrument cluster with yellow needles, plus carbon-Kevlar Recaro bucket seats, the car's speedometer now reads in mph. It is accompanied by an NSX-R owner’s manual, history file dating back to its early life in Japan, jack, tool kit, tyre inflator, plus spare wheel.

A seldom-seen model in any case, the sale of this UK-imported NSX-R presents a remarkable opportunity to acquire what is arguably the most driver-focused variant of Honda’s celebrated 1990s supercar crowning glory.