Small Car, Big Dreams: Restoring Serial One, the First Honda Car in the U.S.

This year marks our 60th anniversary in America. To commemorate this milestone, we’re looking back at the restoration of our very first car imported to the U.S. Watch Tim Mings bring Serial One back to mint condition before it went on to live in the American Honda Museum forever.


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[Moracycle]

Shout out to Honda for not adding a ton of ads on this video.

[kennithchapman]

Sounds to me like the perfect person found that car and did exactly what should have been done with it. I think it's called Destiny or fate. Ether way, perfectly done!!!!

[DeadKoby]

This is cool... Even coming from me, a loyal Ford driver. Nothing like saving history.

[richardkoo]

The restoration is powered by nothing but love.

[szymonkazimierczak]

Wow. That film literally made my day. Almost 29 minutes of automotive perfection. Everything showed in this video is a pinnacle of what can be achieved thanks to passion, patience and modesty. Great story and above all else, great people - the only kind you can meet on a Honda.

[notaberger_]

Didn't even realize this was on the Honda channel. Probably the only time I've spent more than 5 minutes on a corporate YouTube channel.

[DirceuCorsetti]

Sohichiro Honda: you can copy me, I'm flattered.

This guy: the finishing on the motor is a trade secret.

[NjoyMoney]

"kids in highschool their cars were usually broken, mine was never broken...it said honda right on it" :D

[michaelmoss]

I'm not a Honda driver but I appreciated this well-made documentary. The craftsmanship is superb.

[DavidHamster]

Thank you for this film. My parents bought a new red 600 in 1971. My dad rebuilt the engine a couple of times, and repainted it (my brother might have done that). We all probably know every contour of that car from washing it so many times. I was happy to see this 001 car at the Petersen with my son. He has a white ‘92 Civic hatchback, the great great grandson of this 001.

[BeanieandCecil]

A Honda lover AND a cat lover. Bless this guy and all the true artisans that strive for perfection in their work.

[JR-bjuf]

I had a 1969 N600 that my next door neighbor brought back from over seas. It was wonderful. The innovations were legion. There was a T handle to pull to open the gas cap door. If you clocked the car door the gas cap was locked as well. The windshield washer was a rubber bulb and the windshield washer fluid was in a bag. Pump the bulb and wash the windshield. No electrical pump. The belt drove the cooling fan which doubled as the alternator. If the charging light came on it was a good bet that you were not cooling the engine as well. It had a single CV carburetor like a motorcycle. It had plenty of power and I had mine up to over 80 mph (indicated.) Several years later I got a Avocado Green Z600 and that was pretty cool too.

[TornadoOfSouls]

This vid hit home so much.
One weekend in 1976, I learned how to drive a stick at 8 years old in my dad's 1972 N600 at his company's parking lot. Been a big Honda lover ever since...

[stuffnuns]

Omg, the first car I bought was an orange 600Z. I loved it. Damn, I’d love to get another one. What a good documentary. Respect to all the skilled craftsmen/artists who did a stellar job on restoring a classic and important car. Real dedication and love the car shines throughout. Kudos.

[mikeyerke]

I’ve restored a lot of different vehicles, but restoring a Honda is always a real pleasure. I always equate restoring a Honda to helping an old friend. 🇯🇵🏁

[bluemoondiadochi]

I dont know why, but i found especially heartwarming to see all the people and their small businesses who were engaged in restoring this car. just speaks something about beauty and importance of having dedicated, hardworking "ordinary folks" in a country's economy.

[doomruler]

I'll be honest, I'm not a Honda guy. Just personal preference. That having been said, I absolutely respect the amount of work, time, energy, and love it takes to restore these types of cars. I'm glad to see the restoration turned out as beautifully as it did! Let's hope that the museum that gets to take care of it from now on does it the right way. May it never succumb to the ravages of time and neglect like it did once before.

[quentinstacy]

Great show. Loved the musical ending. Peterson Museum is a fantastic place to display this beauty. Well done to all involved.

[frankdillon]

agree completely bought a new N-600 in indianapolis indiand in 1971 dark red with a black vynil roof. car was perfect even in the snow/cold always started and ran perfect. i drove the car to Tucson Arizona and traded for a new Plymouth with air conditioning. im 80 years old and to this day wish i had that car back!

[ziggyspiz]

Thank you for such beautiful restoration of that piece of automotive history!