In terms of 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 large 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 little bit off target 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. Ultimately I returned to acquainted Japanese metallic with a 1969 Nissan Bluebird (see Speedhunters story here) that I held onto for a few years.
The 510 was an wonderful machine that I assumed I’d by no means promote, however after 12 years of varied navy assignments as a US service member, I had rising inch to return to my Honda roots.
In early 2019, I stumbled upon an outdated ‘on the market’ submit from Skorj of Japanese Nostalgic Automotive, itemizing his well-known Honda S800M. This piqued my curiosity as I had been following the challenge for a while.
Sadly, the S800M had bought months prior, nevertheless one thing impressed me to attain out to Skorj and not less than categorical my gratitude for offering such wonderful 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 an extended journey the place – spoiler alert, for those who can’t already inform by the pictures – I turned the brand new custodian of Skorj’s former satisfaction and pleasure.
For nearly two years, no fewer than 263 emails crossed between myself, Skorj, his automobile collector buddy that bought the S800M (a person who owns two Toyota 2000GTs for heaven’s sake!), and their mutual Honda S-chassis grasp mechanic buddy from an area 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 navy, 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’t totally in articulate the awe-inspiring degree of hospitality, persistence, flexibility and belief I obtained by 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 resulting from constraints on my half, I used to be accommodated all the best way.
Again to the story… Late final 12 months, I used to be lastly on my approach in individual to finish the acquisition. I had been on the island of Okinawa for nearly a 12 months, 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 (reward) secured and a espresso in hand, I awaited the brief 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 nicely. The mechanic I discussed earlier – a really form and proficient semi-retired engineer that’s 30 years my senior – was there to choose me up. After an alternate 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 seen on digital screens for eight years was now sitting in entrance of me in all its metallic 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 shouldn’t 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 connected 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 beneath 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 could 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.
Handbook shifts had been direct and clean 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 complete package deal oozed the arrogance of a well-cared-for car that sees extra time on the highway than accumulating mud. It greater than welcomed a number 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 depart any Honda fan’s jaw large open for everything 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 numerous states of restore and reconstruction; some receiving a mechanical refresh, inside overhaul, or body-off restoration. There was even a full fiberglass physique challenge ready to be was a thoroughbred monitor automobile.
Earlier than lengthy, Skorj stopped by the store in his new Porsche to see his outdated buddy and meet me in individual. He was additionally form sufficient to stroll me by the ins and outs of the S800M that was his for therefore a few years.
I realized about among the electrical upgrades he carried out to make the automobile a extra snug each day driver, reminiscent of 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 specific 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 preserve 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 Components 1. Am I justifying the awesomeness sufficient but?
For me, that is the perfect model to personal. Not solely is it probably 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 techniques and distinctive impartial suspension, changed with a extra smart and easier-to-maintain stable axle design with a spring/shock combo. Entrance discs with a dual-circuit brake system and an improved steering rack additionally got here commonplace by this mannequin 12 months, 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.
Only one,548 examples had been despatched overseas between 1967 and 1970, making this specimen fairly uncommon even earlier than you contemplate its total story. This particular automobile spent most of its life in the UK earlier than returning to Japan again in 2012, through Skorj.
If anybody desires 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 specific automobile was due to its in depth 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 rather more dependable.
To proceed these efforts, I’ve scheduled the substitute of some rusted physique sheet metallic and the fabrication of some customized suspension bits to carry the automobile in keeping with my imaginative and prescient. It is going to stay within the care of the mechanic in the course of 2021.
Sufficient drooling on my finish, it was time to seal the switch of possession. Buy cost made in money, similar 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 complete expertise I knew this was only one step in a for much longer course of. A minimum of 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 ebook with all of the receipts from the S800M’s 50-year historical past. Moreover, I used to be gifted a ebook on the historical past of the primary Honda cars with detailed pictures. I will likely be studying this in nice element to change into acquainted with the unique half capabilities, together with a service handbook written for the European market that ought to fill in any holes.
With the S800M projected to stay in mainland Japan for the following 12 months for the minor restoration work and continued modifications, it will likely be fairly a while earlier than I can carry a component two to this story. However relaxation assured, pending journey restrictions, I plan to take an epic highway journey from Tokyo to southern Japan, adopted by a ferry to Okinawa. In fact, all will likely be documented together with the automobile’s inevitable departure to the USA.
It looks as if numerous persistence will likely be required transferring ahead, however I feel it’s going to be nicely well worth the wait.
Brian McIntyre Ray
Instagram: brianmr87
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