) of your XM collection, or perhaps searching for those elusive headlight washer covers? This is the place to do it.One of the funkiest cars Honda ever made was the Honda Z600 – a smart little coupe with a high-revving 600cc, twin cylinder, air-cooled engine. In Britain it was only available in bright orange, but then again it was introduced in the early 1970s so it isn’t for the faint-hearted. Trust me, if you drive one about, you will be noticed. It’s ideal for the extrovert classic owner, and it’s cute enough that your girlfriend/wife will love it. Small enough to fit in the tiniest of spaces, it is also a full four seater. Trimmed in black vynide (that’s plastic to you and me) with good carpets and an excellent headlining, this car has been well-looked after in its almost forty years. Having travelled an amazingly low 85,000 miles, it is good for many more and comes with some of that quality you would expect from a Honda but none of the boringness associated with more mundane, modern Hondas.
So, it is funky, orange, and it’s for sale. Why, do I hear you ask? Well, I am rationalizing my projects – and I have a better Z behind it in the carport. You don’t see many for sale, and not many exist in Britain now, but if you are after a reliable microcar or just want a fun part of the 1970s (only available in orange, because I doubt it would look that funky in chocolate brown or beige), then the Z is for you. Easy to maintain, well built and designed, with reasonable spares availability still, this is a peach of a car.
With an umbrella handle gearlever, switches in an aircraft-cockpit-style in the roof and the amazing sound of a Honda twin in action, the Z is a design classic and one you could own. Follow the link here to the 91 pictures and videos of this bright and, quite frankly, unmissable car.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/46466362@N ... 481501330/
Made famous in the Australian classic, Malcolm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOn76EqjnX4
and, of course, you too will have to get used to having photos taken of your car. It really is that unusual. Despite making almost 41,000 Zs, few came to Britain when it was new (at £755 it was more expensive than a Mini) and few survive here today. The engine pushed 32bhp, it does 75mph and, more importantly, 41mpg on average. This one is registered in 1973, but built in 1972 and so has Historic Tax class (free).
She was last on the road in late 2006 and was taken off with a failed brake master cylinder. This was removed and has unfortunately been lost. She will need a new master cylinder located and fitted (available from Sherwood Motors in Birmingham or available from the USA). The rear brakes are sticking on and so I recommend a brake overhaul, for which some parts will be supplied. She’ll come with a copy of the parts list, and electronic versions of the owner’s handbook, workshop manuals and other documentation. She started and drove earlier this year, although the petrol has gone stale and will need flushed. The electrics all work, the interior is good, and, as can be seen, to put her back on the road there is little to worry with her bodywork apart from some spots which need touched up. Of course, you could go the whole hog and spend some money on the body, but she is usable as is. The body is better than I have seen on some Ford Kas recently. The engine is good, the body is good, the interior is good, and with a few weekends work, and a few hundred pounds she’ll be MoTable again. A great summer project that could see you being the envy of your friends and have a rare car for the all-important summer car show season. Cheekier than a Fiat 500, cuter than a 2cv, roomier than a Mini, more orange than an Outspan car,
So, you’ve looked at the photos, watched the film, now, you want to contact me about this one. You can call me on 07768 268919 and we can discuss Hondas till the cows come home. Price is firm at £1000. She will come with some spares – lots more by negotiation. Go on, you know you want to! There are about 30-40 Honda Zs left in the UK and there are three of them in my car port – I’m being nagged and at least one has to go – it’ll help fund my Messerschmitt Kr200’s return to the road.
The future’s bright, the future’s orange!
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