Karl on Cars

Honda recently invited a group of journalists to view a collection of historic Honda vehicles. The collection started out as just some random vehicles that the company was saving because...well, they knew they should. This included vehicles like the first scooter sold in the U.S. (1959 Honda C100 Super Cub), or the 1971 Honda Z600 that predated the Civic. Both models, along with historic race cars and a wide spectrum of Acura models, have been sitting in a warehouse for years. But now Honda has created a sort of Honda Museum with the cars arrayed in a well lit room with clean tile floors. So far only the race models are placed on elevated display stands, but soon an elevated terrace for displaying up to 30 motorcycles will line the walls.

While most car museums include a wealth of exotic performance machines the bulk of the cars here are basic Honda/Acura models that were sold in large volumes and served as basic (or maybe luxurious) transportation. What's weird is how even seeing a basic, gray 1981 Accord can bring back memories, as everyone either owned one of those cars or knew someone that did. And mixed in among the Civics and Legends were CRXs, NSXs and an Integra Type R.

The potential for cool motorcycles is even greater considering Honda's history in America. The Super Cub and a few other basic two-wheelers were against one wall, but no RC30s, RC45s or CBXs made an appearance. The Honda folks assured me those bikes are safely locked away and will eventually make it to the display floor.

Now for the bad news -- the collection isn't currently open for public viewing. Honda may someday make it a full-fledged museum, but for now it's just a group of vintage Hondas in one non-descript building off the 405.