60 years of Honda

HONDA HAS BEEN BUILDING CARS FOR 60 YEARS WHILE FORGING A REPUTATION FOR INNOVATIVE AND EXTREME ENGINEERING. WE PAY TRIBUTE TO SOME OF ITS FINEST AND BRING SOME OTHER TOYS ALONG

- COLIN GOODWIN

The Honda Motor Co once created a machine that has played a more significant role in the lives of human beings than any motor vehicle before or since. Launched in 1958 and produced continually by Honda and under licence by others, total sales of the Cub in its many guises have passed 120 million.

Many companies might have been content to stick with making utilitarian vehicles but Honda was founded by a man with limitless imagination. Soichiro Honda was a firm believer in proving engineering on the racetrack, and within 10 years of launching the Cub he had shown the world what his engineers were capable of, in both two- and four-wheel racing. And in particular what they could do with the four-stroke reciprocating-piston engine. Jewel-like motorcycle engines, revving reliably to sky-high limits, raced during the 1960s and provided Honda with the knowledge to produce equally incredible powerplants for the road.

Honda has a following quite unlike any other company. There is a cult aspect, particularly for individual models like the Gold Wing touring bike and S2000 roadster. But also a deep respect for the engineering behind its vehicles. Famous British motoring journalist, the late LJK Setright, appreciated the work of Ferrari, Porsche and others, but had a particular respect and admiration for Honda, and owned many of its products.

While Honda Australia was born in 1969, with Hidehiko Shiomi and David Morwood working out of a modest South Yarra apartment, Honda has been building cars for 60 years. To celebrate, we've assembled a diverse selection both two-wheeled and four - that perfectly illustrate the firm's technical brilliance.