At the end of the 50 years, Honda was ready for its own ideas. The two-cylinder with overhead camshaft, which was developed entirely by itself, was ready to go into the big world. But before that, the newcomer was tested and the Japanese did a lot of test work on prototypes on cinder tracks and during hill climbing competitions. Because racing was the best way to test. The well-known - and now disappeared Japanese brands - often met there on the Asama racing track.
Motors from that time are rarer than honest politicians
One of the very first, and now the only known survivors, Honda C71Z has been saved and restored after many wanderings by order of Mike Buttinger, the founder / owner of CMSNL.com. From a business point of view, this restoration was completely irresponsible. But Mike cherishes Japanese thinking in the sense that things should just happen because they have to happen as a tribute.
It took a lot of time
Behind the rebirth of this unique machine is a universe of research, craftsmanship, craftsmanship and tenacity. The Honda used in 1958 was shipped to one of the first Honda dealers in the States was an ex-factory Honda C71Z. Bill Parmelee had ordered a new one. But in the meantime Honda had invested in the development of four-cylinder engines. And the Japanese did not want to invest to make a new copy of a 'run-out model'. That's how Bill got his second hand.
Actually over-year old
Like many other racing engines, the Honda C71Z was used until it could no longer win. Then he disappeared into the shadows. But because something always kept playing that it was a separate thing, and because Americans simply have the space, the Honda C71Z continued to exist. At least: a kind of.
Mike was informed via his network of the possible existence of this Honda C71Z. And he decided to save him. After a lot of investigation, the remains of this veteran were found. And brought to Lelystad. The rebirth was based on what was there, from old black-and-white photos, from a whole lot of thinking and making.
The result is literally unique
The result of all that work has cost an amount that Mike Buttinger never wants to think about again. "As a businessman, this is the stupidest action I've ever taken," Mike says, looking silently at the result. "This project cost me more than they want to pay me for it at Honda, no matter how much they want it." That must be so heeeel have been many.
Costs
A very large part of the costs was already incurred in the months of preparatory work, the research. Then followed a search for parts where Mike was lucky enough to find quite a few things in his own warehouses as probably the world's largest dealer in new old stock. But a lot just had to be made new.
A completely honorable tribute
We can now state that this extremely rare surviving - or reborn, Honda C71Z is an ultimate tribute to Honda's past. According to a conservative estimate, the machine is now about an 99% identical to how it once came out of production at Honda.
That is why we make a typical Eastern bow to Mike Buttinger. The man who has achieved the impossible.
Oh yes: we are working on the extensive story about this machine. You can't miss that. You can now cover yourself with a subscription to AutoMotor Klassiek to take.
