Honda is using SEMA to show off their 2010 vehicles and the accessories available for each. It's also using the show to signal its return to grassroots racing, displaying several vintage racers and production cars alongside their descendants. Although we're covering the entire Mugen-accessorized 2010 lineup elsewhere, we didn't want to miss a chance to talk about three little cars at the back of the booth that had us drooling.
A mint 1971 N600, with its original, yellowed window sticker shows how far we've all come. At $1,395 the N600 cost just about a-buck-a-pound and its 598 cc air-cooled two-cylinder put out just 36 hp, but that was enough to get it to 80 MPH and still return 40 MPG. The N600 was also the car that introduced Americans to Honda automobiles, and firmly established Honda's reputation for frugality and fun.
Next to the N600 sat "Tokyo Joe," the 1974 Bolus & Snopes Civic 1200 racecar that scored six SCCA GT5 championships between 1985 and 1990. It was campaigned by American Honda employee Bob Boileau and once held the title of "World's Fastest Civic" when it was clocked at 146.698 MPH on the Talladega Superspeedway back in 1976. It also looked like it might move the frugal/fun ratio for Hondas a little to the other side of the equation.
Balancing both nicely was the spotless 1984 Mugen CRX prototype. Using a host of parts developed by Mugen, the car showed the performance possibilities inherent in the CRX platform. The Mugen sported a body kit designed for high speed stability, engine mods, a thoroughly reworked suspension, and meatier (but still just) 13-inch tires. A real throwback to the early days of Honda road and racing machines.
Photos copyright ©2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Honda]
PRESS RELEASE
Honda Displays Historic Vehicles and Accessorized Models at 2009 SEMA Show
11/03/2009 - LAS VEGAS - Celebrating its 50th year in America, Honda kicked off its week at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association's (SEMA) show in Las Vegas with a variety of historic and accessorized Honda vehicles, a robust Honda Performance Development (HPD) racing display and the reveal of a 2010 Accord Sedan equipped with MUGEN accessories.
"Customized Honda cars factor strongly into SEMA history and are a big part of Honda's 50 years in America," said Bruce Smith, vice president of Parts Operations for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "With a growing accessory lineup, now including MUGEN kits for the Accord sedan and Fit, Honda is committed to supporting personalization of our vehicles into the future."
A 2010 Accord Sedan equipped with MUGEN accessories was revealed today, along with the announcement that, on November 11th, Honda will make a complete line of MUGEN accessories available for the Accord Sedan on an a la carte basis through authorized Honda dealers. Available MUGEN accessories for the Accord will include: 18-inch alloy wheels, front sports grille, front under-spoiler, side spoiler, rear under-spoiler, sports floor mats, machined aluminum oil filler cap and a distinctive front emblem. All of the painted parts will come color-matched to one of five popular Accord sedan colors: Polished Metal Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, White Diamond Pearl and Taffeta White. MUGEN, under license by M-TEC Co., Ltd., of Japan, has been closely associated with Honda for decades in the design and manufacture of racing and premium performance components.
Additionally, Honda displayed several accessorized vehicles including the all-new 2010 Accord Crosstour, the Dog Friendly Element, the Fit with MUGEN accessories, a Honda Factory Performance (HFP™) Civic Si Sedan and a HFP Accord Coupe.
Honda marked its 50th Anniversary in America on June 11, 2009. At the SEMA show, it acknowledged the support of Honda fans and performance enthusiasts with a display of several historic Honda vehicles including a N600, the first automobile model that Honda sold in America; a pair of winning SCCA race cars - a 1974 Civic and a 2008 S2000 CR; a 1984 CRX MUGEN "prototype" and a 2000 Civic Si Challenge project car modified by Super Street magazine.
On the racing front, Honda Performance Development (HPD) displayed a variety of historic engines, current racing chassis and future racing concepts. An IndyCar® race car and a prototype Formula F chassis were prominently displayed.
Vehicles On Display at the Honda Booth
2010 Accord with MUGEN accessories
2010 Fit Sport with MUGEN accessories
2010 Accord Coupe HFP™
2010 Civic Si Sedan HFP™
2010 Accord Crosstour with accessories
2010 Dog Friendly Element EX
1971 N600
1974 Civic with race modifications
1984 CRX MUGEN Prototype
2000 Civic Si Challenge winner
2008 S2000 CR race car
IndyCar® race car
HPD Formula F prototype
For more information about Honda vehicles, please visit www.honda.com. For media inquiries, please go to www.hondanews.com. For more information about Honda's racing activities, please visit www.racing.honda.com.
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