1973model　Honda Z GS

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1973model

Honda Z GS

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↑↑↑Please watch the archived video above with audio if possible...

"The 1973 Honda Z GS, meticulously restored by a veteran mechanic owner, effortlessly revs up to 8000 RPM, echoing its lively water-cooled twin-cylinder engine sound through the streets, turning heads of passersby. This well-restored vehicle is in excellent mechanical condition, ensuring daily enjoyment for its fortunate owner!"

In the late 1960s, Japan underwent a significant transformation from post-war reconstruction to a period of rapid economic growth. This era saw the dawn of automotive culture in Japan, often referred to as the “car boom,” featuring small cars uniquely suited to Japan’s fuel-scarce island environment.

By the 1970s, Japan began developing specialty cars from a uniquely Japanese perspective, without relying on foreign designers. From Honda emerged the “Honda Z,” a 2-door hatchback that inherited the engine from its predecessor, the N360, yet incorporated playful design elements such as a distinctive rear hatch shape.

Despite its compact 360cc size, the Honda Z boasted an energetic engine capable of revving up to 8000 rpm, coupled with a stylish appearance that rivaled larger cars of the time like the Skyline and Bluebird. It captured the hearts of young people with its affordable price tag, offering a significant presence in the market. Although its sales period was short-lived at only four years, the Honda Z remains a vivid memory for those who experienced that era.

The owner who commissioned this restoration project spent his younger days as part of Honda’s initiative in the automotive industry, starting in 1964 when sales and service were separated into “Service Factories” (SF). After gaining extensive experience, he eventually established his own repair shop specializing in domestic cars for over 35 years.

Alongside various repair jobs requested by customers, the owner pursued private restoration projects of cherished memories from his youth, such as restoring vintage Japanese cars like the Toyota Publica, Celica, S800, and Nissan Sunny Truck.

During his time at the Service Factory, he even had the opportunity to meet the founder, the late Soichiro Honda, during company meetings. The words and image of Mr. Honda left a lasting impression on him, inspiring a deep-seated desire to experience the Honda vehicles of that era imbued with Mr. Honda’s spirit. About eight years ago, he finally found and purchased a 1973 Honda Z GS as a restoration base for his personal enjoyment.

It's currently flawless! Over the span of about five years, using the time after work, he poured his heart into meticulously finishing this car. The restoration process itself was genuinely enjoyable for him. For the mechanic owner and his 1973 Honda Z GS, it's been a period of blissful harmony.

The freshly painted late-model Honda Z GS…

It’s a hardtop style with no B-pillar, characterized by a honeycomb front grille and a split bumper with the rear spare tire access sealed off, confirming it as a post-November 1972 late model… The engine is equipped with Keihin twin carburetors, producing 36PS at 8600 rpm. The rear badge reads “GSS,” which adds a unique touch. I’ve been informed it features a 4-speed manual transmission (“GS”)…

About eight years ago, upon its arrival, it was said to be in a less than favorable condition, though it was still operational. “I want to restore it to its former glory, reviving its spirited water-cooled twin-cylinder engine sound as it revs up to 8000 rpm.” This prompted the mechanic owner to embark on a bold restoration journey…

The interior, finished in a blue and white two-tone scheme as seen in photos from the previous owner, shows signs of wear but remains usable, so it was retained as is. The steering wheel is aftermarket since an original couldn’t be sourced…

During the interview, the odometer read 16,070 km, but its history suggests a meter exchange, so that remains unclear… Regarding the exterior, while its original color isn’t known, it had been repainted blue around the same time as the interior. Due to aging, the car was stripped down to bare metal, meticulously repainted in the same blue by a professional body shop…

Finding new parts has been a challenge, especially for “soft” components, making patience essential. Rubber weather strips, a steel muffler, and usable parts like the suspension have been kept mostly original… The headlights have been upgraded to modern LED types…

While the engine remains fundamentally unchanged, thorough overhauls have been carried out, from Keihin carburetor refurbishments to clutch, brake system including pipes, fuel tank, and hoses…

Despite frequent questions from others about the practicality of such extensive work, approximately five years have passed… “It’s a wonderful thing,” thoroughly enjoyed in the spare time after work, the owner was completely immersed in its completion…!

After this lengthy restoration process, the Honda Z GS successfully passed inspection in September of Reiwa 3 (2021)… Since then, it’s been enjoyed with 1-2 weekly outings for exercise, strolling through the neighborhood…

As seen in the video, it proudly exhibits its spirited engine sound and agile performance… At present, “there are no issues whatsoever…!” The detailed insights shared by the owner, spoken with a serious expression, were very compelling…

A superbly restored vehicle, fulfilling youthful dreams through personal restoration… When asked by the writer why he was letting it go, the owner quietly replied, “I guess I’ve done everything I wanted to…” Despite being a completely private project, “I think I’m done now,” reflects the owner’s heartfelt sentiment… “The process of finishing it was wonderfully enjoyable…!” This sentiment is truly understandable…!

Mechanically splendid and ready to be enjoyed on the road… There’s still time to meticulously search for untouched parts like the dashboard, enjoying the process itself… This car truly offers a dream-filled classic car lifestyle…

1973 Honda Z GS... Post-coverage Notes...

“After the founder, the late Mr. Soichiro Honda, saw the prototype car, he famously exclaimed, ‘It looks like a dinky car!’ The long-nosed design packed within the regulations of the time and the sharply cut rear still look remarkably innovative even half a century later!

Moreover, the water-cooled twin-cylinder engine, revving up smoothly to 8000 rpm like a motorcycle engine, embodies the essence of Soichiro Honda’s philosophy—it’s truly impressive. Witnessing a unit with a meticulously restored engine, I felt its overwhelming presence in daily life.

Measuring just under 3 meters in length, we closely examined the entire body and undercarriage, which, thanks to meticulous restoration, showed no signs of rust or dents—a truly satisfying sight. The interior promises the joy of future enhancements, and details like Keihin twin carburetors and the unique shape of the air cleaner reveal its final form. The engine compartment, now water-cooled in its latest iteration, retains its originality in a perfect state, with the engine bay and undercarriage exuding a splendid aura!

Its aura of a survivor from another era, encapsulated in a small body that catches the eye as a ‘fresh and unprecedented presence’ among passersby, allows one to reflect deeply on the automotive culture of the 1970s. It’s truly heartening to see such a vehicle survive and thrive.

There’s much anticipation in further refining this vehicle. Patiently sourcing parts and taking time for meticulous assembly—this process itself is immensely enjoyable! Owning and maintaining such a unique specimen, which can speak volumes about automotive culture as an endangered species, will undoubtedly enrich the new owner’s life profoundly.

‘The Honda EA engine effortlessly revving up to 8000 rpm!’ With its engine in excellent restored condition, the 1973 Honda Z GS emits the sound of a water-cooled twin-cylinder engine as it energetically speeds through city streets. This meticulously restored car, a labor of love by a veteran mechanic owner, promises daily enjoyment!

Please come to Gunma Prefecture for a test drive of the lively 1973 Honda Z GS, proudly cruising along!”

This well-maintained "1973 Honda Z GS" is currently located in Gunma Prefecture.

Since it’s a private sale, there are no consumption taxes or other fees involved. However, the purchaser will be responsible for pro-rated payment of the annual automobile tax (¥5,000) and for the recycling deposit (not yet deposited). Additionally, arrangements for transportation, etc., will also be the responsibility of the purchaser. Nevertheless, through our corporate operations, we offer classic car transport services using our own transport vehicles. Please feel free to consult us if you are interested.

[Regarding inquiries…]

This vehicle featured on this page is listed on the cross-border EC site for classic cars and collectible cars, “Estate Sale Supremacy®︎.”

What is “Supremacy Estate Sale”…?

“Estate Sale Supremacy®︎” is the Japanese version of North American cultural estate sales, which present vehicles imbued with the owner’s heartfelt sentiments through interviews, manuscripts, and videos, organizing both physical items and emotions. It is completely distinct from cheap purchases that leave nothing behind for culture or future generations. We faithfully express the owner’s sentiments, ensuring that memories are securely retained while also reliably passing them on to the next generation through guidance and mediation.

We conduct detailed interviews with current owners, including past maintenance records and repair histories, and investigate the presence of any accidents. If there is a significant accident history or if details of the current owner’s ownership are unclear due to extreme brevity, we may decline the interview. We strive to provide reassurance to our customers as much as possible.

This article was written based on interviews with the owner and a test drive experience from the passenger seat, conducted from 1:00 PM under clear skies on June 8, 2024, over approximately three hours. Please note that due to the limited time for confirmation, the description of the current condition of the vehicle may not be 100% accurate, and not all aspects of the writing have been verified. Comments on conditions are also based on the weather and circumstances during the interview, as well as the author’s subjective views.

For questions about the listed vehicle or to arrange an inspection, please contact us via the link at the bottom of this page. As this is a transaction between individuals, for prevention of casual inquiries, we will only consider inspection requests from customers who are seriously considering a purchase.

Thank you very much for your consideration.