--- title: "Honda Planned a Mid-Engine V8 NSX Predecessor But the ’70s Oil Crisis Killed It" description: "The world was robbed of a mid-engine Honda V8 sports car in the 1970s, when the worldwide oil crisis ruined the company's plans." date: "2023-10-20" modified: "2023-10-20" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/honda-planned-a-mid-engine-v8-nsx-predecessor-but-the-70s-oil-crisis-killed-it" categories: - "Honda News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "honda" - "NSX" - "sports car" --- # Honda Planned a Mid-Engine V8 NSX Predecessor But the ’70s Oil Crisis Killed It ![]() The oil crisis of the 1970s changed the face of the global automotive industry in a flash. Many great cars were given smaller engines, if not cancelled altogether. But one car's cancellation hurts more than most, because it denied the world a [Honda]() sports car with a mid-mounted V8 almost two decades before the [NSX]() burst onto the scene. Ironically, emissions concerns actually had a hand in kicking off this project, as well as eventually killing it. In the 1960s, both the Japanese and United States governments were beginning to crack down on pollution. Health concerns of smog and lead fuel poisoning were growing, and both countries sought to make cars cleaner than ever before. Honda had been working on new combustion technology in the early '70s, which would have made it the first manufacturer to design an engine compliant with the U.S.'s then-new Muskie Act. ![]() ![]() ![]() This new tech—dubbed Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion (CVCC)—was set to debut in a brand-new engine. Honda decided on a V8, and it created two different vehicle concepts to house it. One was a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car pitched as "environmentally friendly and fun to drive," according to details recently shared for the first time in Honda's official magazine. The automaker even got as far as a clay model, which looked unique compared to every other mid-engine car of the period. It was small, with sharp lines, delicate proportions, and a pointy nose; the opposite of the wedge-like supercars of the era. There were even mockups for a front-engine version that also looked very good, and very first-gen Lotus Elan-like. ![]() ![]() Unfortunately, the oil crisis struck in October 1973, prompting Honda to shut the project down. However, the dream of a mid-engine sports car clearly never left the company's engineers and designers, and in the following decade it'd begin work on the venerable NSX, a car that actually did see production and was obviously worth the wait. Honda executed the NSX masterfully, so maybe history unfolded the way it should've. An unsuccessful earlier attempt at a mid-engine sports car may have soured the company on the prospect of ever attempting such a project again. Or, this V8 predecessor would've been a hit all the same. Either way, these images have gotten our imagination running wild. If only Honda managed to get a prototype running. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()