With regards to automobiles, what was it that in the end formed model loyalty, platform choice or favored engineering for you?
My roots are relatable to most American millennials that grew up within the Quick & Livid period. As Japanese automobile tradition exploded on the massive display screen and web, I used to be drawn to it like a fats fly to a giant bug zapper. My first automobile was a 1991 Honda CRX Si (totaled), adopted by a 1993 Honda Civic Si (stolen), after which a 2007 Honda Match (boosted). Are you able to see a development right here? Issues vectored a bit of off track after I moved to California and dabbled in affordable-at-the-time Europeans classics together with a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16V and a 1970 BMW 2002. Finally I returned to acquainted Japanese steel with a 1969 Nissan Bluebird (see Speedhunters story here) that I held onto for a few years.
The 510 was an superb machine that I believed I’d by no means promote, however after 12 years of assorted army assignments as a US service member, I had rising inch to return to my Honda roots.
In early 2019, I stumbled upon an previous ‘on the market’ put up from Skorj of Japanese Nostalgic Automobile, itemizing his well-known Honda S800M. This piqued my curiosity as I had been following the mission for a while.
Sadly, the S800M had offered months prior, nevertheless one thing impressed me to attain out to Skorj and not less than specific my gratitude for offering such superb possession protection of Honda’s first sports activities automobile for therefore a few years.
Little did I do know on the time, however this primary contact started a protracted journey the place – spoiler alert, in case you can not already inform by the pictures – I turned the brand new custodian of Skorj’s former pleasure and pleasure.
For nearly two years, no fewer than 263 emails crossed between myself, Skorj, his automobile collector good friend that bought the S800M (a person who owns two Toyota 2000GTs for heaven’s sake!), and their mutual Honda S-chassis grasp mechanic good friend from a neighborhood fanatic membership. Then a chance manifested itself that was too good to move up.
As soon as I used to be confirmed a switch to Japan by the US army, I knew that this was an indication from the Honda gods. What started as an electronic mail saying thanks, had developed into the acquisition the very automobile that began all of it for me.
As a foreigner, I simply can not totally in articulate the awe-inspiring stage of hospitality, endurance, flexibility and belief I obtained by way of this whole course of. Whether or not is was answering my questions, offering pictures or recommendation, understanding journey delay requests or agreeing to vary plans as a result of constraints on my half, I used to be accommodated all the best way.
Again to the story… Late final yr, I used to be lastly on my method in individual to finish the acquisition. I had been on the island of Okinawa for nearly a yr, however then, yeah…COVID.
To my spouse’s amusement, this was going to be a single day journey with departure and return inside a 12-hour window, with roughly 5 bodily hours on mainland Japan. With my omiyage (present) secured and a espresso in hand, I awaited the quick flight.
Very quickly in any respect it was wheels down at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, and I’d be mendacity to say I hid my pleasure effectively. The mechanic I discussed earlier – a really variety and gifted semi-retired engineer that’s 30 years my senior – was there to choose me up. After an change of the standard Japanese greetings and respect (in typical gaijin kind I’m horrible at this), I used to be met with a really nice shock.
The automobile I had solely considered on digital screens for eight years was now sitting in entrance of me in all its steel glory. Raining and chilled temperature be damned, I couldn’t cover my enthusiasm and circled the small automobile a number of occasions.
We had been scheduled to drive about an hour west to the mechanic’s private store, however since I didn’t know the place we had been going and had no hands-on expertise driving an S800M, I used to be content material on being a passenger.
Don’t fear, we did swap seats about midway, and though I should not have pictures of me piloting the little beast, I’ll say it drove like a well-tuned classic sports activities automobile on the identical caliber of an early Porsche. Even with the climate, the Yokohama Advan Neovas hooked up to the 13×5-inch RS Watanabe wheels did an exquisite job holding grip. Being very tactile in my actions, I toyed with momentum accessible in a platform weighing below 850kg (1,875lb) with each of us onboard.
I additionally was stunned by the quantity of grunt accessible all through the power-band from simply 800cc. As with all automobiles of this time, your senses are bombarded with analog wonders and visceral sounds and smells. The S800M’s driving place may be very low, simply above regular measurement automobile tires in site visitors to your sides, and your ft virtually stretch out within the deceivingly-long cabin.
Guide shifts had been direct and easy into every gear with little to no slop. The suspension was tight however not overly agency, and all lights, indicators and cabin capabilities labored as meant.
I might inform this was no storage queen; the whole package deal oozed the arrogance of a well-cared-for car that sees extra time on the street than amassing mud. It greater than welcomed a couple of 9,000+rpm tunnel pulls once I was within the driver’s seat.
Arriving on the mechanic’s workshop felt like a correct half two to an already epic journey. Regardless of not being arrange for guests, this private store would go away any Honda fan’s jaw huge open for the whole thing of a go to.
Though house is at a premium, amazingly this storage has a number of environment friendly work bays, an engine constructing part, a set of bikes saved away, and even walk-down pits for simple underbody work entry. Throughout had been varied Honda S-chassis automobiles in several states of restore and reconstruction; some receiving a mechanical refresh, inside overhaul, or body-off restoration. There was even a full fiberglass physique mission ready to be became a thoroughbred observe automobile.
Earlier than lengthy, Skorj stopped by the store in his new Porsche to see his previous good friend and meet me in individual. He was additionally variety sufficient to stroll me by way of the ins and outs of the S800M that was his for therefore a few years.
I realized about a few of the electrical upgrades he carried out to make the automobile a extra snug day by day driver, akin to putting in a stealthy MP3 cable to the again of a interval right radio. He additionally gushed over the uncommon Auricoste 36-9 aviation clock selector that shares the identical manufacture date because the S800M and provides some rally aptitude.
This explicit automobile rolled off the meeting line at Honda’s Suzuka plant in late 1969 for the worldwide market, and is the ultimate iteration of the early S fashions. A heavy hand in design and good engineering from firm founder Soichiro Honda are current all through.
These later evolution automobiles nonetheless keep the ’60s styling cue of sweeping curves and sloping fastbacks of the period. The dual overhead cam engine with side-draft carburetors and a needle bearing crankshaft have roots in Method 1. Am I justifying the awesomeness sufficient but?
For me, that is the very best model to personal. Not solely is it essentially the most highly effective but in addition advantages from the elimination of many quirks discovered within the earlier automobiles like the twin chain rear-wheel drive programs and distinctive unbiased suspension, changed with a extra smart and easier-to-maintain strong axle design with a spring/shock combo. Entrance discs with a dual-circuit brake system and an improved steering rack additionally got here customary by this mannequin yr, which makes the automobile much more joyful and safer to drive proper as much as the restrict, which is over 100mph. I’ve all the time most popular coupes over roadsters too, not only for higher chassis stiffness, however the all-year practicality.
Just one,548 examples had been despatched overseas between 1967 and 1970, making this specimen fairly uncommon even earlier than you think about its total story. This particular automobile spent most of its life in the UK earlier than returning to Japan again in 2012, by way of Skorj.
If anybody needs extra element about these great machines I encourage you to go to Skorj’s very detailed 22-page thread on Honda-Tech that spans years into his possession.
Other than its notability, a giant motive I bought this explicit automobile was due to its intensive service and upkeep historical past. A number of the main mechanical highlights are two engine rebuilds, a gearbox overhaul, carburetor refresh, set up of LSD, coilover suspension, a change from a generator to alternator system, an oil filter adaptor fabricated for contemporary replacements, and a fuse field conversion to make the entire package deal far more dependable.
To proceed these efforts, I’ve scheduled the substitute of some rusted physique sheet steel and the fabrication of some customized suspension bits to deliver the automobile according to my imaginative and prescient. It should stay within the care of the mechanic throughout 2021.
Sufficient drooling on my finish, it was time to seal the switch of possession. Buy fee made in money, identical to that the S800M was formally mine.
I’ll say that the return to Okinawa had a bittersweet style. After being so elated from the whole expertise I knew this was only one step in a for much longer course of. At the very least I nonetheless have a really RADwood-worthy 1989 Mitsubishi Minicab 4×4 supercharged kei van to maintain me entertained for now.
I additionally now have a automobile log e-book with all of the receipts from the S800M’s 50-year historical past. Moreover, I used to be gifted a e-book on the historical past of the primary Honda cars with detailed pictures. I will probably be studying this in nice element to change into aware of the unique half capabilities, together with a service guide written for the European market that ought to fill in any holes.
With the S800M projected to stay in mainland Japan for the subsequent yr for the minor restoration work and continued modifications, will probably be fairly a while earlier than I can deliver an element two to this story. However relaxation assured, pending journey restrictions, I plan to take an epic street journey from Tokyo to southern Japan, adopted by a ferry to Okinawa. In fact, all will probably be documented together with the automobile’s inevitable departure to the USA.
It looks like a number of endurance will probably be required transferring ahead, however I believe it’s going to be effectively definitely worth the wait.
Brian McIntyre Ray
Instagram: brianmr87
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