--- title: "Honda Is Opening Its Vault and Selling Iconic Race Cars From Le Mans, Daytona, Indy" date: "2026-08-12" modified: "2026-08-12" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/honda-is-opening-its-vault-and-selling-iconic-race-cars-from-le-mans-daytona-indy" categories: - "Acura News" - "Honda News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "acura" - "honda" - "race car" --- # Honda Is Opening Its Vault and Selling Iconic Race Cars From Le Mans, Daytona, Indy ![01 September 2001: Marlboro Team Penske driver Gil de Ferran drives his Honda Reynard during the Saturday morning practice session for the Molson Indy Vancouver, round 15 of the CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams) FedEx Championship Series at the Concord Pacific Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Digital Image. Mandatory Credit: Robert Laberge/ALLSPORT]() *\Robert Laberge via Getty\* [Honda]() is getting into the business of [selling, restoring, maintaining](), and even helping you track some of its most iconic race cars from Le Mans, Sebring, and Daytona. As seen below, its offerings aren't limited to production-based GT cars, but also include full-blown, purpose-built prototype race cars. The only way I could be happier about this is if I could actually buy one of them myself. [Honda Racing Corporation]() is putting up some serious hardware for sale, and although it did not disclose prices or how it would choose its clients, it did reveal the first car it's putting up for sale, and revelaed some of its most recent restorations for private clients. ![]() ![]() Making its on-sale debut at The Quail this Friday as part of the 2026 Monterey Car Week festivities, the Sebring-winning V8-powered #26 XM Satellite Radio AGR [Acura]() ARX-01a will spearhead HRC's new venture for a very special reason. This sweet-looking racer was Acura's first purpose-built race car and also carries the first V8 designed and developed by HRC in the U.S. (HPD at the time). This chassis won the LMP2 class in its debut at the 2007 Sebring 12 Hours, driven by Dario Franchitti, Bryan Herta, and Tony Kanaan. ![]() ![]() "Classic race cars never die, their myth and aura just grow and the HRC Heritage Racing Program is all about keeping our incredible Honda and Acura race cars doing what they were born to do―race," said David Salters, president of HRC US. "As the builder of these race-winning machines, and custodian of the original IP and knowledge, HRC is uniquely equipped to restore them to their original form, ensuring they can return to historic racing competition authentically and ready to be enjoyed by our customers and fans." Part of HRC US's new business is also restoring old race cars, whether they're owned by the company and fixed up as part of a sale or already owned by individuals. One of the examples of its restoration prowess is the ARX-01c shown above, which competed in the Le Mans LMP2 category with "Strakka Racing" and won its class in 2010. It's a similar story for the Acura NSX GT3 Chassis No. 5 seen below, as well as the 2001 Reynard 01i raced in the CART 2001 season by Gil de Ferran for Team Penske, which has undergone a full refurbishment that I'm sure its current owner (Zak Brown) kept a close eye on. ![]() ![]() It's great to see Honda and Acura enter this business through HRC US. The creation of this new venture, led by HRC US president Dave Salters and senior vice president Jon Ikeda, has been several years in the making and a top priority for Honda's leadership. Not only does it open up an important revenue stream for a brand that's looking to grow in the burgeoning world of motorsport in North America, but it also allows fans to see some of the brand's legendary race cars in action once more. HRC is also venturing into the world of [aftermarket performance parts](), fashion, and consumables like motor oil. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()