First Honda N600 in US gets new lease of life - VIDEO

By JAY WONG | 20 October 2016


LOS ANGELES: Since March, Honda has taken viewers on an in-depth journey of the restoration of the very first Honda in America, the N600 with Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 1000001 and aptly named "Serial One."

The final episode marks the end of the 12-episode documentary series that has chronicled the meticulous, step-by-step restoration of the N600 through the eyes of Los Angeles-based mechanic Tim Mings.

The series, which is an ode to Honda's automotive roots in the US, showcases the company's many challenges over six months on Honda's social channels and at serialone.com.



In the last episode, the fully restored car is shared with the audience, along with a look back in time, from the start to finish of the restoration process.

Mings and his team take the car through the final finishes, from installing the doors to tightening the last bolts and signing the roof of the vehicle before the roof liner is installed.

For the first time, viewers will see and hear the engine turning over after it is installed.

Throughout the episode, Mings shares his experiences of the elaborate rebuild and the emotional connection he developed with the N600 and Honda.

The finale culminates with the journey of "Serial One" to the Japanese Classic Car Show in Long Beach, California, where it is revealed to fans.

"Throughout the incredible journey of Honda's Serial One to a complete restoration, fans have been able to witness firsthand how meticulous the process has been to bring the first N600 in America back to its original form," said Honda social media manager Alicia Jones.

"Sharing the restoration process with car enthusiasts and Honda fans everywhere is what this program has been all about," she added.

In 1969, after a decade of growth that led to Honda becoming the top-selling motorcycle manufacturer in America and the world, Honda embarked on a new mission to sell cars in the United States.

Honda entered the U.S. market with the Honda N600, which was just 122 inches in length and could actually fit between the wheels of some full-sized vehicles in America, which measured up to 225 inches in length and weighing nearly twice as much as the NSX.

The N600 had an all-alloy engine that could achieve 9,000rpm and reach speeds of 132kph.




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