Throwback Thursday: Kyosho's 1/18 Acura NSX

This is the second occasion on which I've purchased old diecast at this scale. The first was the 300ZX which, although nowhere close to being a great model by today's standards, caught my attention because of its rare and exclusive nature - the only version of that car in 1/18. This is a different case altogether. The NSX has been done by AUTOart at least a couple times within the past few years, and we all know that their models are the gold standard. Obviously, the one you see here was going to be inferior right off the bat, both in age and in brand. But for about half the price, I had to give this Kyosho a look.

According to the box, this model was produced in 1997, which is just about twenty years ago. If we want to be specific, it's the U.S.-spec Acura NSX, and not the JDM Honda version that AUTOart produces. I may never be a fan of the American rebranding of Japanese cars, but at least this Kyosho has the distinction of being the only Acura NSX in 1/18.

The NSX is truly a special automobile. A 90's Japanese sports car with looks on par with modern exotics from Europe, it still turns heads and according to experts, drives like a dream. When you see one in person, it strikes you with how compact and low it is. Perhaps the best part of its design occurs at the back. The best taillight design in all of automotive history. The way it's integrated with the rear wing is pure genius.

Right away, there are some things that just look wrong with this model, and it starts with the ride height. Drop this model by a couple millimeters and you have one that, from afar, will look great next to contemporary pieces. There are some fit and finish issues that aren't very Kyosho-like, such as the wheels not being centered with their wells. When it comes to cast lines and decorative elements, there are inconsistencies from one side of the car to the other. Overall, it feels old because it is.

As you have already seen from my review of the aforementioned 300ZX, Kyosho of old puts all of its efforts into the engine details, and this is no different.

There isn't any actual text here, but it's still a nice touch.

I'm sure that, back in the day, this was considered a fantastic model. As a kid back when this came out, I'm also sure I would've loved to have something like. It's amazing to see how far diecast has come over the years, and it's hard to imagine how there's any way you can possibly improve on the models that are offered today.

Pop-up headlights come standard.