NSX Characters: The Father of NSX, Shigeru Uehara

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As one of the most important models in Honda's history, the NSX occupies an irreplaceable position. Initially, we planned to recount its full history like the articles in "Sports Car Journal," but we realized this task is nearly impossible. The NSX’s story involves too many people and events, representing Honda's transformation from a brand known for high-performance cars into a top-tier Japanese automotive company.

On the 30th anniversary of NSX, we will break down its story into multiple articles to explore this masterpiece, which has only two generations yet shook the automotive world.

The Story of Its Creator: Shigeru Uehara

For NSX, many car enthusiasts, especially Honda fans, can list its glorious history effortlessly. However, cars are created by people. Ignoring the engineers who brought it to life would be the greatest disrespect to this legendary car.

The Birth of NSX

The NSX development project began in 1984, led by Shigeru Uehara, who joined Honda R&D in 1971. Uehara graduated from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology with a major in mechanical engineering, focusing on vehicle stability and handling performance. In 1984, he joined the UMR research group and fully committed to the NSX project.

Photo: The first-generation CR-X Si, developed by Uehara in November 1984.

Uehara also led the development of the CR-X Si version (code AS), equipped with a 1.6L ZC engine delivering 135 horsepower. More importantly, he re-tuned the MacPherson strut front and solid rear axle suspension system, which became the foundation for future Type R models.

Design Philosophy and Innovation

The inspiration for the NSX project came from the Ferrari 328 GTB/GTS. To study the performance of competitors, Honda purchased several 328s for testing and even invited legendary drivers Ayrton Senna and Satoru Nakajima for extreme performance testing.

Technical Differences Between NSX and 328:

Innovative Layout: NSX adopted a more traditional engine and gearbox side-by-side layout, optimizing the 328’s shortcomings in maintenance and cooling.

Suspension System: Full aluminum chassis and suspension components gave the NSX superior dynamic performance compared to the 328.

Driving Experience: While the NSX had only 280 horsepower, its response and handling outperformed the 328, redefining Japanese sports car standards.

Photo: NSX is the world’s first car with a full aluminum chassis, suspension, and engine, marking a milestone in automotive design.

The Birth of NSX-R and the Type R Legacy

After the NSX’s launch in 1990, Uehara spearheaded Honda's first Type R model—NSX-R. His design philosophy focused on lightweight construction and optimized handling to push performance to new heights. He later developed iconic models such as Integra Type R (DC2), Civic Type R (EK9), and S2000 (AP1).

Photo: Honda's "R Trinity" of the 1990s—NSX-R, Integra Type R, and Civic Type R—all developed by Uehara.

The Final Chapter of Uehara’s Career

In 2007, after completing the development of the S2000 CR, Uehara officially retired, concluding his brilliant career. He not only created legendary models like NSX and Type R but also set a benchmark for handling performance in the automotive world.

“A good car is not about horsepower but about being completely controllable by the driver.” — Shigeru Uehara