A United States resident recently acquired a first-generation Acura NSX with an astonishing backstory. The buyer spent about 15 years at the river’s bottom, paying 8.9 thousand dollars, and now plans a full restoration. This tale comes via engine1, a source known for automotive discoveries and restorations.
In the early 2000s, the NSX slipped into the Yadkin River in North Carolina under mysterious circumstances and was later found by chance. After years underwater, the car’s interior was filled with sand and debris, and the passenger-side front pillar of the hull suffered damage from the water exposure. The new owner, a Maryland-based restorer, HelixAuto Works, intends to bring the iconic Japanese sports car back to its original condition, preserving the design cues that defined the NSX’s reputation for balance and pure driving experience.
Initial impressions suggested the car had remained submerged for around two decades. However, Motor1 later uncovered information indicating a CarFax record with a last entry dated 2004, which reframes the timeline of its underwater sojourn. This shift in the archival details adds nuance to the restoration project, highlighting how provenance can evolve as new records surface and hands change in the collector car community. The Maryland shop is preparing a careful, historically aware rebuild that aims to showcase the NSX’s distinctive engineering and mid‑engine layout while updating components for modern reliability and safety standards.
In a separate note, there were reports of a vehicle at a railway crossing in Belgium that collapsed beneath a passing train. This mention underscores how historical accidents sometimes surface in automotive lore, reminding enthusiasts that a car’s past can span multiple countries and dramatic events, all of which influence how restorers approach preservation, documentation, and long-term value.