1960s Honda 50

The first gasoline powered vehicle I bought was a Honda 50 motorcycle. I bought it used in 1965. It comes to mind recently after seeing gasoline prices soar. According to an old ad I found, it could get 200 mpg (see attached). I don’t remember if that’s true, but with gas being less than thirty cents per gallon the year that ad came out, it was not much of a selling point.

Looking at the styling, it seems sort of cute. Like a cross between a cycle and a scooter. But back then it was embarrassing to drive. Cute was not cool. It was not even a word men used to describe vehicles. I took the wind guard off to try to make it look more like a motorcycle. Also, it was not suitable for freeway driving, and not practical for long drives on surface streets. I remember one time my hands went numb from all the vibration.

Also, back then Japanese products were seen as the worst. The phrase “made in Japan” was used as a generic way to say someone was of a piece of junk. But I think Honda was one of the forces that changed that, even before their cars hit the US. The motorcycles were catching on. And then I remember seeing their first tiny car being sold at a motorcycle dealer. It looked sort of odd, shoved into the corner next to the bikes. But eventually Honda had car dealers all around Los Angeles.

Unlike the cars I’ve owned, I don’t have any fond memories of my Honda 50. But it did get me to work and to school and home again. And it would be great to get 200 mpg.