The New American Honda Collection Hall has officially opened its doors, offering an exclusive and captivating showcase of Honda’s rich history in the United States. Located in the main lobby of the American Honda headquarters in Torrance, California, this 20,000-square-foot facility presents over 60 historic and significant vehicles and products that span more than six decades since the establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. in 1959.
This collection hall is a testament to Honda’s commitment to innovation, quality, and its enduring impact on American society. It houses a diverse array of exhibits, including automobiles, motorcycles, power equipment, race machines, engines, and concept models. In addition to the physical artifacts, the hall also incorporates images, graphics, and video presentations that tell the story of Honda’s evolution in the U.S.
The grand opening of the American Honda Collection Hall was a momentous occasion, marked by the presence of community leaders, Honda officials, associates, and retirees. Noriya Kaihara, President & CEO of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., emphasized the profound connection between the dreams and passion of Honda associates and the joy experienced by Honda customers and racing enthusiasts. The hall is not just a display of products but a reflection of Honda’s journey in America, shaping both people and society.
One of the hall’s remarkable features is its accessibility to the public during scheduled “Cars, Bikes & Coffee” events. These events provide an opportunity for enthusiasts and the community to explore the collection and gain insights into Honda’s unique contributions to American life and automotive history. It’s a chance for visitors to appreciate significant milestones in Honda’s American journey.
The exhibits in the American Honda Collection Hall are diverse, showcasing iconic vehicles and power equipment that have left an indelible mark on American culture. For example, visitors can marvel at the 1970 Honda N600 Coupe, the first Honda car sold in the U.S., and the 1991 Acura NSX supercar, a groundbreaking display of Honda’s technical prowess. Motorcycle enthusiasts will be enthralled by classics like the 1969 Honda CB750A, often called “the Motorcycle of the Century,” and the 1981 Honda CBX1000, Honda’s first motorcycle with over 100 horsepower.
Power equipment enthusiasts can explore innovations like the 1964 Honda CB30 Marine Outboard Engine and the 1965 Honda E300 Generator, showcasing Honda’s dedication to engineering excellence beyond the automotive realm.
Racecar aficionados will appreciate machines like the 1992 Acura Spice GTP-Lights and the 1996 Reynard 961-031 Indy Car, highlighting Honda’s success in motorsports and its championship-winning heritage.
The American Honda Collection Hall plans to keep its displays fresh and engaging by updating them several times a year, featuring different products and themes. This ensures that returning visitors always have something new to discover.
Furthermore, the Collection Hall serves as an educational and cultural hub for the Southern California community. The “Cars, Bikes & Coffee” events held on the third Saturday of every other month provide an engaging platform for enthusiasts to gather, enjoy special activities, and explore the Hall’s treasures.
Honda’s commitment to celebrating its history and contributions to American life through the American Honda Collection Hall is a testament to its enduring legacy in the U.S. As the doors open to this remarkable facility, it invites visitors to journey through time and experience the innovation, passion, and excellence that define Honda’s presence in America.
Some examples of products currently on display:
Cars
1970 Honda N600 Coupe – The first Honda automobile sold in the U.S. used an air-cooled 600 cc 2-cylinder engine and retailed for just $1,395.
1975 Honda Civic CVCC Hatchback – The first car to meet the emissions standards of the 1970 U.S. Clean Air Act without the need for a catalytic converter.
1979 Honda Accord CVCC Hatchback – The first Accord debuted in 1976 as a three-door hatchback powered by Honda’s revolutionary Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion (CVCC) 4-cylinder engine.
1985 Honda CRX Si – The first performance Honda Si model sold in America, a sporty 2-seat coupe with Honda’s advanced PGM-FI fuel injection.
1986 Acura Legend – The performance luxury touring sedan that launched the Acura brand alongside the Integra.
1991 Acura NSX supercar – The revolutionary hand-built, exotic mid-engine sports car that showcased Honda’s technical prowess.
1997 Honda CR-V – Honda’s first in-house SUV helped establish a new breed of compact sport utility vehicle with car-like ride and handling.
2006 Honda Insight – Introduced in 2000, Insight was the first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid passenger vehicle sold in the U.S.Motorcycles
1962 Honda 50/Super Cub – One of the first three models Honda sold in the U.S. The Super Cub is now the overall bestselling vehicle globally with over 100 million sold to date.
1969 Honda CB750A – Widely considered the first ever superbike and called “the Motorcycle of the Century” by Motorcyclist magazine.
1973 Honda CR/RC250 Elsinore – Honda’s first production motocross motorcycle and the first product Honda manufactured in the U.S., named after the famous Elsinore Grand Prix.
1975 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing – Redefined long distance touring motorcycles with a revolutionary horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine.
1981 Honda CBX1000 – Honda’s first motorcycle with over 100 hp, powered by a 1000cc six-cylinder engine.
1983 Honda VF750F – The revolutionary VF750F used a liquid-cooled DOHC V4 engine and a stiff square-tube frame that also helped it dominate superbike racing in the mid ‘80s.
1990 Honda VFR750R/RC30 – A homologation special created for competition in the “World Superbike Championship.”
1992 Honda NR750 – The most technically advanced motorcycle at the time, iconic for its oval-piston engine design and other innovations.
2004 Honda RVT1000R/RC51 – A street version of Honda’s championship winning V-twin superbike.Power Equipment
1964 Honda CB30 Marine Outboard Engine – Honda’s first outboard marine engine featured a revolutionary four-stroke design.
1965 Honda E300 Generator – The first generator to combine 300-watt output with quiet and easy-to-use operation in a compact enclosure that could be carried with one hand.
2023 Honda GF5 Marine Outboard Engine – Compact and lightweight portable outboard engine provides a complete performance package for small boats and dinghies.Racecars
1992 Acura Spice GTP-Lights – Powered by a modified Acura NSX V6 engine, carried veteran driver Parker Johnstone to the Drivers’ championship in the IMSA Camel GT Lights series.
1996 Reynard 961-031 Indy Car – Honda/Reynard driven by Indy Car Drivers’ Champion Jimmy Vasser and Rookie of the Year Alex Zanardi.
1997 Acura Integra Realtime – RealTime Racing and the Acura Integra Type R forged a race-winning record that remained unbroken after nearly two decades.Public “Cars, Bikes & Coffee” Event Schedule
Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 20, 2024, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 15, 2024, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
